d'bi young is in town at Theatre La Chapelle to unveil her latest addition to her trilogy: Benu. In egyptian mythology, the term "benu" means to rise, to shine. Like the sun god Re, the Benu's own birth is attributed to self generation. It was believed that the Benu Bird appeared each morning under the form of the rising sun, and was supposed to shine upon the world from the top of a persea tree wherein he renewed himself.
Benu, a 30-year-old woman, just recently gave birth to a baby girl in a Toronto hospital. She's had a difficult delivery and the baby's father has decided to opt out. As her blood pressure mysteriously rises at the hospital, this triggers episodes that take her back and forth between a happier phase of her life (her grandmother), and her current struggle to raise her baby alone. Click on play to hear my radio review.
d'bi young celebrates sisterhood, love, life and revolution. The story depicts three generations of women: Benu's grandmother, who raised Benu and represents deeply rooted strength. Benu who is walking along the path of discovery and fear, and finally her baby girl, who represents hope.
Benu is a Festival Voix d'Amériques co-presentation and will be staged until Feb 14th 2010 at Theatre La Chapelle. For tickets, call 514.843.7738.
