In the morning, the film crew tags along as Ross visits the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide.  Lilliane Matabishi (another "Lili" in the 'Goodness' family!) whom we met on opening night in Butare, has offered to assist with publicity for the show in Kigali, free of charge.  This visit is part of the reaching out that she is doing on our behalf, engaging communities in Kigali who may be interested in seeing our show. 

Jean de Dieu Mucyo, the head of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide, will later attend our show on closing night, and although I meet him, I do not hear his feedback on the show afterwards.  I will be left hoping that it is captured in the footage from that evening, or that it will fall onto the collective table as we digest this experience upon our return to Toronto.

Rehearsal at "Heaven" - in the open air, on a covered deck of wide floorboards, the backdrop is Kigali on the hill behind us.  The Technical team & Ross deserve kudos for finding every way possible to make this arrangement in the space work for us.  We will have the lights of Kigali behind us, a full moon above our heads. 

It is quiet in the restaurant during the day, and the light run allows us to blow off steam.  Funny accents, funny walks, funny line-readings are explored.  Ultimately, we know what we have to do at performance time, and these escapes into absurdity provide relief.  Again, I am glad for the privacy of rehearsals, the zest and humour, & the trust of this group of people.

We return to the Milles Collines to prepare for a reception at the American Ambassador's residence.  At the last minute, a double-check on the permissions for our film crew.  We are good to go.   Cast members race to the market for dress shoes or something to wear - this is a big deal.  My jacket arrives back from laundry just as the cabs are readying to leave - I intercept it in the parking lot, rip it off the hangar, & tout la gang pile into two taxis (it is pouring rain by this time) to head into the Kigali evening.

We meet many Rwandan artists - filmmakers, performers, writers - and the host, the Deputy Chief of Mission, Anne Casper, speaks eloquently about the importance of the arts & of this Festival.

We are also hosted by Carol Tambor & Kent Lawson from NYC, who worked to arrange this reception on our behalf in conjunction with the US Embassy.  The Carol Tambor award was passed to 'Goodness' at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe, and Carol and Kent have become a part of the 'Goodness' family, and helped fund our tour here.  Carol, with her customary grace & eloquence, gives a moving speech about the importance of having dreams, and making them come true. 

I find I am standing straighter than I've ever stood in my life, with pride and emotion, during these speeches.  I am deeply honoured by the company in which we find ourselves. It is a beautiful reception.

We pour into the evening afterwards, running through the rain to our taxis (which Lili & I have called back to the residence), and we all journey to "Heaven" for a celebratory dinner. 

The food is excellent.  The company is superb.
The lights of Kigali twinkle behind us and the moon hangs orange in the sky.
This will be our backdrop tomorrow night.


Post by Tara