The first time I watched this piece, it was staged at the ETS Drama Studio, University of Ghana, Legon. I totally enjoyed it even back then. I enjoyed the concept and how a whole story was told through dance and it caught my attention from beginning to end. It was not boring, and it was not one of those abstract dance with movements and rhythm that always seem to go right over my head. I usually have some difficulty understanding those ones.
Addiction was different, and I loved it totally. So when I heard that it was running again, I knew it would be awesome, and I was not wrong at all. The show opened with the younger ones setting the stage ablaze with some sweet dance moves. Those children know how to dance so much that they make some of us feel old. The flips and splits got me pretty excited.
Then comes the main show and I loved how it started off with personified addictions on a mission to get victims. Their demeanor in their dance moves said it all; vicious, vile and without mercy. It was quite fascinating to see them gather their victims right from dancers planted in the audience. I don’t know if the organisers planned to send this particular message across but to me it revealed that people with addictions are with us, and not special castaways rotting in some pit. It could be you, or me, anyone is either actively involved, or is a target.
Then we see the individual addiction dances and each dance is perfectly choreographed with props, lights, shadows, sound effects and well synchronized dance moves. I mean, even the darkness on stage told a story and it was beautiful and amazing to watch. Each story was told differently and I like how the beginning of almost each addition doesn’t start off as intense as it eventually pans out to be. It’s almost always a harmless little fun, till you realize your mind has actually become a prisoner to a behaviour that you thought was just harmless.
The costume was on point for all the scenes and the make up and props also told a story so great. The music used was also very appropriate for each scene and added on to it.
A special kudos to the light design team for a yeoman’s job. Great work there.
And a special kudos to the VDF team for introducing the fact that addictions are not broken by yourself, you need help on a higher level and it was portrayed beautifully at the end. They also portrayed that it is normal to slip and fall, but it’s always pertinent to keep fighting against it.
To Vivian and her team, you have done amazingly well. Addiction is a whole ministry and people, especially the young ones need to see it. I wish it will move from school to school or churches for them to see it. I hope individuals will support this for it to grow. Addiction is a very powerful tool to get humans off each addictive spirit and mindset holding them captive.
I encourage you to watch it anytime you hear it’s showing, even if you’ve already seen it, it hits differently, every time.