From
MOON ON A RAINBOW SHAWL
by Errol John
Moon on a Rainbow Shawl premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London on 4 December 1958, directed by Frith Banbury with a cast size of thirteen actors including Earle Hyman (Ephraim), Jacqueline Chan (Esther), Barbara Assoon (Mavis), Vinnette Carroll (Sophia), Lionel Ngakane (Old Mack), Soraya Rafat (Rosa), Johnny Sekka (Policeman), Berril Briggs (Jenette), Robert Jackson (An American Sailor), Leo Carera (Prince), John Bouie (Charlie), Leonard Davis (An American Solider), and Clifton Jones (Young Murray).
Moon on a Rainbow Shawl was well received in London, which resulted in revivals of the production at Theatre Royal Stratford East (1986) directed by the author; at the Almeida Theatre (1988) directed by Maya Angelou; and later I brought the play to the National Theatre’s attention, which resulted in another revival on the Cottesloe Stage at the National Theatre (2012). The most recent production was directed by Michael Buffong starring Martina Laird, whose performance as the leading role Sophia, gained a nomination for the Evening Standard Best Actress Award. Moon on a Rainbow Shawl has also been performed internationally, namely New York, Iceland, Hungary and Argentina.
Moon on a Rainbow Shawl is a play about the ‘hopes and dreams’ of the Trinidadian residents on Old Mack’s ramshackle backyard property in East Dry River District, post-Second World War. Errol John uses his play to show the effects of the Second World War on the economic state of the country which leads the characters in the play to either accept their lives or take drastic measures to change them. The play centres on two male protagonists, Charlie Adams and Ephraim, who both struggle to deal with the adversities of life in Trinidad in the late 1940s. The yard is occupied by the Adams family who have faced hardship ever since husband Charlie was released from the West Indian cricket team. Charlie’s downfall has turned him into a full-time alcoholic dependent on his wife Sophie to be the main breadwinner of the family and also parent their two children. With only a few weeks before his eldest daughter Esther returns to school, the family are desperate for more money to buy her school equipment and uniform, Charlie decides to take matters into his own hands, which leads to more devastation in the family. Trolleybus driver Ephraim is exasperated by the limited employment opportunities available to him in Trinidad and desperately wants to leave the yard’s daily antics, prostitution and brawls. He plans to migrate to England for a better life but can the news of girlfriend Rosa’s pregnancy make him change his mind?
About the Playwright
Actor and award-winning playwright Errol John was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad in 1924 and died on the 10 July 1988 in Camden, North London. Errol John began his career as an artist and journalist before embarking on an acting career. Errol became a member of the Whitehall Players theatre group in Port of Spain, Trinidad. After World War II, he came to London to pursue his acting career. In London, John became dissatisfied with the small parts which were on offer to black actors, and therefore, decided to try his hand at playwriting. In 1957, Errol John won The Observer’s Award for ‘Best New Playwright’; the award specified that winners should write a play about post-World War II, which led to the groundbreaking Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, Errol’s first professionally produced stage play.
Summary (Extract)
Seventy dollars was stolen from Old Mack’s shop and Rosa admits to EPHRAIM that she forgot to hide the incriminating evidence against Charlie Adams before notifying the police. The news devastates Ephraim who considers Charlie a close friend. He hits back with news of his plans to leave her and Trinidad. But Rosa has much more to get off her chest. She informs Ephraim of her pregnancy, but will it be enough to keep them together?
Ephraim storms down into the yard. Somewhere in the distance we hear the rhythmic pounding of a steel band. Inside ROSA lies across the bed, crying. After a moment EPHRAIM goes back into the room.
Rosa. Rose. Rose – Don’t shed no tears for me – I was never worth that kind of water. Rosa – Listen to me! Look! Look!
He has taken a framed photograph from his trunk.
Yer see this picture of ole Grandma here? ... She took care of me from the time I small – till I grow a man! My old man died when I was five years old. When I was six – my mother pick up with another man – went to Curaçao! – and left me flat! For nearly a whole week I went hungry till Grandma came and found me and took me home with her. So it was only me and Gram from all that time...then come a time. I began to make my plans. I find that she was in my way. I wanted to save money! – But she was in my way. So one day – I went to her – Told her – I was putting her in the poor house... Four days! – After I took her there – she died.
…
He has told his story without any display of emotion.
When they knew she was dying, they send, and call me. She was lying there on the bed. I couldn’t believe it was she. In four days – she had sort of – wasted away. I stood up by the door – I couldn’t go no farther. She was looking at me. But I just stood there. Shame! Eating me! ... I heard her ask the nurse for me to come near. Perhaps – to forgive me – I don’t know. But I couldn’t go. I couldn’t go. Then she told the nurse: ‘Tell that boy if he can’t come nearer – he might as well go!’ ... She died that night.
…
DON’T TOUCH ME! So don’t think – Don’t think a little trap like you could ketch me – just by sayin’ yer going to have a baby fer mey. When that boat whistle and blow! – It mean I leaving all this behind! This picture!
He throws the frame spinning on the floor.
You and Ole Mack! Charlie! Mrs. Adams! Esther! – The whole damn blasted lot!
…
Listen to me, Rosa! I got a life to live! Awright! So I stay here. I come an inspector on the trolley. To what end? Turn macco like the rest. Stand at a bus stop. Hop on the trolley. Check the tickets. Hop off the trolley! To what end, Rosa? Just so as to see the conductors don’t rob the blasted City Corporation?
…
That is not for me! Outside somewhere in the world I feel for certain sure it got more for me than that!