Review of Superfam's 'One Gallon' Play: Weak Story, Powerful cast

What God Cannot Do Does Not Exist.

What Happened:

On May 25, 2024, Superfam production staged its much anticipated One Gallon show at the national theatre. The first show had a semi-packed auditorium; however, the National Theatre was fully packed for the 8 pm show, with excited patrons waiting to experience another humourous play, as shown with Superfam productions. One Gallon was Written and directed by Francis Nutakor and Mawuli Jasparo.

While the play's subject seemed more confusing and unestablished, the 2 hours 42 minutes show had multiple themes and many important lessons and education. 

The entire play is set at the Superfam filling station with engaging attendants. Each attendant was a complete embodiment of a character flaw in Ghanaian society, usually experienced in every institution or business in Ghana. The filling station had its unique rules and policies that had to be obeyed by all customers before being served a gallon of fuel. These rules upset both customers and some of the station attendants, which caused many conflicts from the beginning to the end of the show.

What are people saying?

People were generally happy to be at the production; Superfam is known for its comedy with excellent comic actors who entrap the audience and fill the audience with unstoppable laughter. 

While the play lacked a significant plot with conflicts and resolution, the delivery and enthusiasm of the actors made up for it, retaining the audience's attention for over two hours. The fully developed characters of One Gallon added to the progression of the play. 

The production was too long with intermittent breaks for adverts. The longer the show dragged on, the more uncomfortable people got, especially in a hot auditorium with the air conditioning to the left wing, which turned off the entire production for the 8 pm show.

The subject matter could have been more precise, with many not knowing how the play would end or when, almost like being on a train with no destination, it kept moving about without hope of any resolution and end ahead. Some guests asking; So what is the play about?

The Talkative:

The rise in theatre production attendance means that the audience is now spoilt with choice and has high expectations with elevated satisfaction thresholds for each production. Superfam has always played on the familiar everyday happenings and interactions for its production, reflecting the society on stage. You could see yourself or someone you know in each character, making the entire production extremely relatable. 

While the play had sponsors like Star Oil and Evivi Rice, among others, it was pretty surprising that the production was not in partnership with any road safety institution or Ghana Petroleum Authority since the play had the road safety education and fuel station dos and don'ts as the backbone of the play. The team should have approached the suitable quarters for partnership. It is also likely that they did, and the institution should have seen the merits of using the arts to propagate education, which has been one of the biggest challenges for art. The Director's ability to beautifully inculcate these brands into the play without interrupting the Story was masterful. 

Aside from education, doing the right thing despite what it may cost you was another crucial theme derived from One Gallon. Maxwell Amidu, played by Clemento Suarez, was the custodian of the rules and ensured everyone obeyed them. Usually, people do what is right if they have nothing to lose, but despite facing eviction, Amidu was steadfast. While his character had flaws, Maxwell Amidu prioritized representing the incorruptible people in every organization who must deal with the most corrupt personnel. Usually, good people enter institutions to change the lousy system and pipe in the institution. Still, those without regard for the policies and rules make it impossible on every level of our society, from the market to offices, judiciary, legislature, and executives. 

The lousy customer service and negative attitude towards work are another bane of Ghanaian society. As Osei (played by Willie Chambers) embodies the lazy, insubordinate, tardy and opportunistic coworker or neighbour you know, Betta Makafui ( played by Monica) is the lady or gentleman who always trades their beauty and body for promotion or favour with the boss. Bismark (played by Abraham MacPrat) is the bad nut of every organization who is easily influenced, follows the crowd, has no original thought and always takes advantage of everyone and anyone for a quick score. And the kind-hearted station manager (Bright Jefferson) who allowed everyone to learn and grow. 

The Ghanaian community is not without religious leaders who exploit the well-established gullibility of the average Ghanaian to fill their pockets by spreading the word of God. The Deaconess ( played by Naa Shuga) beautifully characterized unscrupulous religious leaders with her viral quote, "What God Cannot do, does not exist". 

At the show's end, one thing was clear: without the collective efforts to drive change and do the right thing in every sector, the good ones are frustrated and later corrupted to succumb to a broken system that benefits a few at the expense of the majority. 

The costume department headed by Eli did an excellent job with the attendants' uniform and the exhilarating customers like the businessman (Solomon Fixon), Lawyer Ntiamoah( Jeneral Ntatia), the Landlord( Foster Romanus)as well as the baby mama ( Nancy Efua Dell) and the others ( Nii Boye, Maxwell, Kobby and Tea Bag) whose introduction into the play gave an insight to a character or carried the show to another phase of excitement. 

The set designer created one of the theatre's most beautiful yet dynamic stages, capturing every detail of a standard fuel station in Ghana. The light and the sound engineer were also instrumental in creating the perfect mood and time for the play.

The script could have been better, but the powerful characters and cast made it a worthwhile experience. Kudos. 

Written by:

Tilly Akua Nipaa (Matilda Mensah Marfo)