The Road to Mecca — Kingston Theatre Alliance

Miss Helen has transformed her home into a sanctuary of art. The day after her husband was buried, when she was 51, this shy quiet woman suddenly stopped attending church in her remote South African town and began creating and filling her yard with strange sculptures. Created from discarded materials, her sculptures reflect her search for personal meaning. But Miss Helen’s art is not widely appreciated, and troubles Marius, the local minister, is concerned for her well-being and pressures her to abandon her artistic pursuits and move to a retirement home.

Elsa, a teacher, visits the village and becomes a confidante and ally. Elsa sees Miss Helen’s art as an expression of individuality and spiritual resilience. Through Elsa’s interactions with Miss Helen, the play deals with themes of artistic freedom, societal oppression, and the search for self-identity.

The Road to Mecca is based on the life of Helen Martins, a teacher who became a sculptor around the age of 50 and transformed her home in New Bethesda in the Karoo region of South Africa. Her home is now a museum known as the Owl House.

Venue

Domino Theatre