“KOKON” opens A dialogue about Sexual Identity, Mental Health, and Bullying.

“Kokon” (Cocoon) made its debut at Suidoosterfees on 02 May 2021. It is the latest offering from acclaimed young playwright and director Carlo Daniels. The play is set in the Cape Flats and centers around Josh, a high school student who bravely opens a dialogue about his sexual identity, mental health, and abuse. The production embraces physical theatre techniques to demonstrate various themes while powerfully conveying the consequences of violence. Giving voice to the silenced may save a life. The cast includes Beviol Swartz, Darion Adams, Ayden Croy, Shannon Williams, and Zinedine Manus.

Dancer, Darion Adams performing the opening sequence.

The productions are held at The Artscape Theatre Centre, home of the Suidoosterfees, and is one of the selected few emerging from NATi Jong Sterre/Young Stars Project for upcoming playwrights, supported by The Jakes Gerwell foundation. These playwrights were part of our mentoring programme in 2020 under the guidance of Abduragman Adams. The Suidoosterfees presented a more compact and intimate festival than usual on their traditional dates following the level 1 South African pandemic regulations with limited seating for each production.

Daniels was inspired to write this play after a conversation with one of his peers in an effort to create and collaborate during the global pandemic. The conversation steered towards bullying, and the two eventually found themselves unpacking about their mental health journeys and the state of mental wellness in marginalized communities. After some time, Daniels felt compelled to create something impactful that explores and generates awareness about the things we almost avoid in life.

Zinedine Manus portraying Josh in Kokon.

The title, Kokon, was presented unexpectedly within the text when a character uses a cocoon as a metaphor to describe their existence says, Daniels. He started working on the play in Paulet huis in Somerset East, focused on writing stories emanating from his own life experiences. He shared his frustration with corruption and the lack of transparency from Government institutions regarding funding opportunities and grants. Bullying has become a much bigger problem in South Africa. It exists and operates on all levels in all shapes and sizes. People are forced to endure toxic behavior daily, and it is troubling to think about what victims have to face endlessly.

“There are many challenges for theatre-makers. Corruption has a huge effect on the livelihood of theatre-makers. It smothers the creativity and sustainability of our artists. The funds are there but often disappear before ever reaching the artists.” Says Daniels. “I hope Kokon sparks a conversation to get victims of Gender-Based Violence and Mental Anguish to a safer space. Bullying starts somewhere, and it’s for us as a society to uncover the root of the problem. I can’t do it alone. I need a society, a collective decision.”

The cast of Kokon exploring with movement and sound.

I attended their final dress & technical rehearsal, saw the performance twice, and interacted with the cast and crew. It wasn’t long before the work sparked conversations about instances in our lives surrounding these issues. Much like Daniels, I share the importance of shedding light on our human rights and state of being. Moments in the performance took me back to when I was a boy unsure of his own identity, ridiculed by an ignorant society unaware of the impact of toxic interactions and encounters. Learning about the assault and murder of Lonwabo Jack & Kirvan Fortuin, Adnan Adams, and countless other queer bodies instill a wish that living as a marginalized queer person of color was easier.

“The project was a sensitive one with many challenges. I was fearful at first, given its sensitive nature. However, I wrote this story from an honest place with pure intentions. I couldn't quiet myself when I clearly had something boiling inside.” Carlo Daniels

From the left; Darion Adams, Shannon Williams, Zinedine Manus, Ayden Croy, and Beviol Swartz.

The pandemic has hit artists in the entertainment industry very hard. And what adds to the increasing amount of tension is the ever-changing nature of the freelance environment in which they are trying to make a living. The tragic suicide of Ceagan Arendse shocked the country. No one in the film, TV, and Media industry saw it coming. This reiterated why we should all talk about mental health. Pandemic fatigue is a reality, and it is important to know what to look out for and how to save yourself and your loved ones from the abyss.

Arendse’s passing and the work presented by Daniels empowered me to face and accept that I’m not alone in the fight against depression and anxiety. To acknowledge that it's difficult to muscle the strength to carry these feelings daily and to appreciate artists for their resilience in finding was to keep creating, empowering, and surviving. Daniels' goal with Kokon is to spread awareness among our youth (schools, organizations, groups, etc). To engage in stories that will have an impact on their growth and show different ways of finding healing and breaking the silence.

Darion Adams and Zinedine Manus in the closing movement piece.