In the Continuum

by Danai Gurira, Nikkole Salter

In the Continuum puts a human face on the devastating impact of AIDS in Africa and America through the lives of two unforgettably courageous women. Living worlds apart, one in South Central LA and the other in Zimbabwe, each experiences a kaleidoscopic weekend of life-changing revelations in this story of parallel denials and self-discoveries.

Genres: Plays

58 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Elliott Lemberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

"In the Continuum" is a harrowing read, a highly visceral experience. The play was "designed for two actors to dramatize separate, yet parallel stories of an African and African American woman, and for both worlds to parallel and sometimes collide." The playwrights have created a deeply affecting work about the fight against HIV/AIDS "told from the black woman's perspective: for her to be more than a statistic on a news report." Written as a series of monologues, some of which overlap, the story focuses on Abigail and Nia and their interactions with the people in their lives as they struggle with their diagnosis. I imagine the play would be even more powerful in performance; on the page, it can feel a bit fragmentary, not wholly coalescing until the very last scene. However, the writing is lyrical and evocative. The story needs to be told, and these characters will not soon be forgotten.

[Amanda Samuelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Continuum revolves around two black women: Nia, who lives in Los Angeles, and Abigail, who lives in Harare, Zimbabwe, and their respective experiences with HIV/AIDS. The play is composed mostly of monologues, and through them we learn about the complexities and hardships of these womens’ lives. Gurira and Salter “felt the need to have a story told from the black woman’s perspective; for her to be more than a statistic on a news report.” I was drawn to the parallel worlds these two women are living in, and found it especially effective when these worlds collided. Definitely a play I’d like to see performed.

[Nik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous and necessary. It touches on so many harmful stereotypes in a way that invites the reader to investigate their own beliefs. It is confusing to imagine this on stage - I hope to see it in person some day!

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF- clearly an important issue is at the center of this play. The structure of it was just too confusing for me to follow.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really we'll put together. Hard to read at times because oft he raw emotion. Well done play.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lives and dies on its two actors; on the page, not wholly clear how two worlds intersect but its ambition and form breaking in insisting two actors channel these two worlds-apart and yet too similar experiences of black women grappling with AIDS diagnoses is exciting. 3.5.