One-man shows are now and always will be inherently intriguing to an audience. The ability of a single person to not only play the parts of multiple characters with different genders and voices while captivating the audience and being believable is no easy feat. However, in the one-woman performance of “Hatshepsut: The Play,” to have the story told by more than one woman would have been a dishonor to the story of Hatshepsut herself.
Hatshepsut was the only female Pharaoh to ever rule over ancient Egypt, more powerful than that, the more famous queens of Egypt Cleopatra and Nefertiti. Going against the laws of the time in which she reigned, she takes the throne from her young stepson after the death of her husband Thutmose II, dressed as a man, wore manly garb, and declared herself as a god. In June 2007, explorers discovered her mummy and now her story is being told.
The preview of the one-woman show took place on Euclid and Georgia Ave NW across from Banneker High School on July 2nd at the Emergence Community Arts Collective, a huge building that climbing the stairs for somewhat gave the feeling of making a way up to a huge palace. The high temperature of the morning made way for a warm night, and in the “throne room” on the 2nd floor where the performance took place, the heat added to the ambiance of being in Ancient Egypt for the intimate crowd of roughly 25 people. As the performance took place and lights dimmed in the throne room, showing only the throne of Hatshepsut and the oblong-shaped black and gold headdress of her departed husband, the Pharaoh made her way into the room. She stood around 5’3, with skin of bronze with a full regal garb on and headdress similar to that which is on upon the Sphinx, except with two snakes above her face. She sat on her throne, and proceeded to tell her story, looking into the eyes of all those there to witness.
As the performance proceeded, the actress skillfully jumped from character to character in not only her voice, but body posture as well. Hatshepsut in reality was an actress playing the role of a man, and the actress portrayed masculine qualities and a deeper voice when speaking to those outside of her kingdom, but remained a woman when in the presence of those she believed she could trust. Whether playing Hatshepsut or reciting lines of the stepson who hated her Thutmose III, her lead guard, or even a commoner instructed to bring her food, all roles were distinct, never leaving the audience confused of whose role she was playing. The dialogue between Hatshepsut and her stepson was executed most skillfully, highlighting the true feelings of one towards the other in a manner that the chemistry between two actors reciting the lines on stage would have been equally as potent. From the beginning of the story until the last lines spoken at the death of Hatshepsut, the play was well executed and well worth watching.
