Theatre: Why Do Moths Fly Like Crazy Kcufs in the Night
1 October 20:00
38 Ryneveld Road
Why Do Moths Fly Like Crazy Kcufs in the Night is a mesmerising one-woman show that intricately blurs the lines between visual art, theatre, and performance, centred on the life of French-American visual artist Louise Joséphine Bourgeois. Sue Pam-Grant leads the experience, delving into intimacy, chaos, and thought-provoking anecdotes, creating a powerful artistic performance.
A mesmerising one-woman show that intricately blurs the lines between visual art, theatre, and performance, centred on the life of French-American visual artist Louise Joséphine Bourgeois, Why Do Moths Fly Like Crazy Kcufs in the Night was a must-see at the recent Woordfees festival in Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Pierre Rommelaere/Woordfees
From the moment the audience walks up the narrow staircase, into the Ryneveld Studio, the performance begins. The apartment set-up immediately takes you beyond the conventional theatre setting. In a room to the side, Pam-Grant lies on a bed, wearing an artist’s apron with a cloth over her eyes – a striking image that signals an immersive journey.
As the audience passes this side room, they are met with their seats, arriving in the final performance space. This space is saturated in red paint – spirals, words, and paintings – an ode to Bourgeois’ life and work. The audience sits tightly packed, enhancing the intimacy. Once the audience is seated, the silence that settles is broken by Pam-Grant’s footsteps. French operatic music plays softly as she climbs a ladder, painting a red circle morphing into a spiral, symbolising the turbulent mental state unravelling during the show.
The dialogue reflects the sweltering heat of New York, as the character curses the two-pronged plug of her French fan and the senselessness of differing outlets. The broken fan becomes a metaphor for everything Bourgeois despises: patriarchy, structuralism, and her father’s choices. The performance shifts between humour and profound introspection, although Pam-Grant’s French accent can occasionally be difficult for non-French speakers to follow.
As Bourgeois’ thoughts wander, her words intertwine with objects in the room, representing fragments of her life: parents, lovers, sex, being unwanted, and the complexities of human nature. Pam-Grant’s character speaks directly to former lovers, now deceased, looking into audience members’ eyes.
In an intimate setting, the audience listens as Sue Pam-Grant embodies the character of visual artist, Louise Joséphine Bourgeois, telling stories of her life, lovers and the complexities of her artwork. PHOTO: Pierre Rommelaere/Woordfees
The play’s title unravels toward the end. Bourgeois’ fear of moths becomes a metaphor for her frustrations with love, wondering if moths go crazy because they are in love, turning the creatures into an embodiment of the chaotic human condition.
As the performance nears its end, the fan turns on, lights dim, and Bourgeois stands in the breeze, her messy hairdo blowing in the air—a moment of confusing calm amidst the chaos.
Pam-Grant and director Fred Abrahamse crafted a production that explores the life of a famous artist, her mindset and a look into the way of her art. Themes of the human experience and the lines between love and hate are explored, as well as the difficulties of being a woman in the 20th century.
Pam-Grant’s acting was incredible and the uniqueness of the stage setting all adds to the intimacy of the experience. This show is more than just a performance to watch; it is an immersive journey that encourages conversation and inspires reflection.
Why Do Moths Fly Like Crazy Kcufs in the Night is a chaotic yet enthralling exploration of desire, trauma, and artistic passion. It’s a must-see, with hopes of returning to Woordfees next year.
As the audience enters the performance space, red paint saturates the area – spirals, words and paintings – an ode to the artist Louise Joséphine Bourgeois’ life. The colour red speaks to the themes of the play: love, hate, loss, femininity, and ultimate chaos. PHOTO: Pierre Rommelaere/Woordfees