Entertainment
Port Townsend’s Newest Theatre Company, Nobody Panic Productions, Brings Athol Fugard’s “The Road to Mecca” to the Grange
This March, Port Townsend welcomes Nobody Panic Productions to the Quimper Grange with a staged reading of Athol Fugard’s critically acclaimed play, “The Road to Mecca,” on Saturday, March 7th at 4 p.m. The performance arrives just before the one-year anniversary of Fugard’s death on March 8, 2025.
A Play Rooted in Art and Resistance
“The Road to Mecca” is inspired by the life of Helen Martins, a South African folk artist who created the Owl House sculpture museum, now a National Heritage Site. The play, according to founder Kimberly Kaye, explores “the transcendence of art within the artist, against a rigid, dogmatic culture,” and “the testing of the bonds of friendship, and the bravery of lighting a single candle in the dark.”
Fugard’s Legacy and the Power of Playwrighting
Athol Fugard, widely considered South Africa’s greatest playwright, used his work to confront the injustices of apartheid. In 1985, Time magazine declared him “the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world.” “The Road to Mecca” itself garnered significant recognition, winning the 1988 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play after a 172-performance run off-Broadway.
From Coast-to-Coast: The Founding of Nobody Panic Productions
Nobody Panic Productions is the brainchild of Kimberly Kaye and Helen Heaslip. Kaye brings decades of experience, having worked in professional theaters across the United States, including Seattle Rep, ACT Contemporary Theatre, and the Intiman Theatre. Heaslip, recently relocated from London, was last seen in Island Theatre’s adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ “It Can’t Happen Here.”
A Collaborative Spirit
Rounding out the founding team is Ken Grantham, Kaye’s husband, an actor, director, and teacher with a history of founding theaters, including the Magic Theatre and Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California. The company’s formation follows a staged reading of Edward Albee’s “A Delicate Balance” at the Quimper Grange six years prior.
What’s Next for Nobody Panic Productions?
Following “The Road to Mecca,” Nobody Panic Productions plans to stage an adaptation of “It Can’t Happen Here” by Wilson Milam, the director nominated for a 2006 Tony Award for “The Lieutenant of Inishmore.” Heaslip’s previous local credits include performances in “Trad,” “The Seafarer,” and “Dancing at Lughnasa.”
FAQ
Q: Where is the Quimper Grange located?
A: The article does not specify the location of the Quimper Grange.
Q: What is the Owl House?
A: The Owl House is a sculpture museum created by South African folk artist Helen Martins, and is now a National Heritage Site.
Q: When did Athol Fugard die?
A: Athol Fugard died on March 8, 2025.
Q: What other theaters has Kimberly Kaye worked with?
A: Kimberly Kaye has worked with the Seattle Shakespeare Festival and the Book-It Repertory Theatre, among others.
Pro Tip: Staged readings offer a unique opportunity to experience powerful plays in an intimate setting. They focus on the text and performance, allowing the audience to connect with the story on a deeper level.
Interested in supporting local theatre? Explore upcoming events at the Quimper Grange and consider joining Nobody Panic Productions’ mailing list for updates on future performances.
