Cape Town theatre explores human emotion through dance and drama

Written and performed by Ugandan-born actor and writer John Rwothomack, Far Gone is a gripping one-man play that explores the harrowing transformation of a young boy from innocence to child soldier in Northern Uganda.

- BERNELEE VOLLMER

Speaking to Independent Media Lifestyle, Rwothomack revealed that the idea for the play was born from a personal place, his own near-abduction as a child.

“That experience has stayed with me my whole life, not just the fear of it, but the confusion around how that could have been my path,” he shared.

“When I finally decided to make a show, it wasn’t because I wanted to talk about myself, but because I realised how many children never got the chance to walk away like I did”

That honesty gives Far Gone its raw edge.

“[m not trying to dramatise anything, I’m simply telling it the way it felt, from the inside,’ he said, explaining that his goal is not to shock but to help audiences understand the emotional reality behind those headlines about child soldiers.