Footprints’, a musical play on the life of St Francis Xavier written and directed by Sheryl Vaz with music composition by Placido Rodrigues was presented on stage by the students and staff of Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, Goa-Velha of the Educational Society of Handmaids of Christ, Goa.
The recently concluded 18th Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa inspired many artistes to take up to stage and work on the life, mission and miracles of St Francis Xavier by way of tiatrs, operettas, musical plays and films. Such theatrical presentations helped many among the audience to know and understand the missionary life of the saint and grow in faith.
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The one and a half hour musical play ‘Footprints’ with a huge cast of 185 students carried narration, songs and dances on stage, besides visuals on the giant screen. From tiny tots to children of higher classes, the overall presentation was a visual and audio treat to the eyes and ears respectively.
Right from birth to growth as a teenager and then as a youth with plans to go to Paris for further studies and then the change of heart after encountering St Ignatius de Loyola and the missionary works as a zealous priest in different parts of the world was life of St Francis Xavier brought to light on stage.
Francis Xavier’s guardians, Juan (Simran) and Marie (Abiyola) played a fine role on stage. His siblings, Anushri and Khushi Morya were equally good and in a playful mood. Young Francis (Shanoy) and as an adult (Noah), both the artistes were impressive.
The role of Bro Theo was enacted by Kevin, Julian (Sandeep), companion (Sairaj), friend (Ashwin) and second priest (Sherwin), extending good support to the main cast. The character of Ignatius de Loyola was enacted by Sir Claroy, but he looked elderly among the other young artistes.
Various dances on stage included the butterfly dance by tiny tots, a Japanese dance and a ‘kunbi’ dance depicting Goa and its rich art and culture. Each typical dance carried a relevant backdrop on the screen as well. Most of the songs were rendered offstage by singers Succor de Santa Cruz, Bonita, Jasmine, Veron and Sheryl, with music accompaniment by Placido (guitar), Dominic (bass), Shane/Volver (violin), Acacio (saxophone), Jesus, Figo (keyboard) and Carlos (drums).
Light, sound and screen on and offstage were executed by Bhasker Adivrekar and deserves appreciation for the efforts put in. But unfortunately the sound of the live music was loud and empowering the renditions by the singers, thus making most of the songs inaudible.
A replica of the casket containing sacred relics of St Francis Xavier was carried in a procession by the students and others. It came from among the audience in the auditorium much before the musical play could take off on stage. This fine and touching act should have come as a conclusion of the musical play, culminating as a climax.
Other theatrical works which came up on stage during the recent exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier included a tiatr ‘Goemcho Saib’ by Michael Gracias, a Konkani operetta ‘Porgottnnar’ by the committee for the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, a Konkani musical play ‘Mhozo Ixtt Francis’ by Ageema Fernandes and a musical ‘Xavier’s Mission China’ by Fr Allan Tavares.
