Hansol Jung’s Cardboard Piano explores love, hate, war, sexuality and religion in Northern Uganda. Act one takes place on the eve of the millennium, a moment when despite the celebrations many people worldwide felt threatened.

Two sixteen year old girls Chris (Marge Dunn), the daughter of an American missionary and Adiel (Rachel Cognata), a Ugundan, are commemorating their love for each other by enacting their marriage in the shabby church where Chris and her parents also live. In order for the girls to keep their privacy, Chris gave her mother and father sleeping pills. Adiel, the more mature of the two, prepared for the ceremony by scattering flower petals on the floor, lighting a candle, and bringing a tape recorder to record their vows. Secrecy is vital as homosexual acts are strictly punished.

The ritual is disrupted by a wounded child soldier, thirteen year old Pika (Marc Pierre) who grabs Chris, covers her mouth, and points his gun at the girls. After he faints from weakness, they tie him up and discuss their futures which they view differently. The more generous Adiel feels obliged to help Pika. When he awakes he talks about his experience as a soldier and the guilt he feels for the “bad things” he has done. Guilt and fear had led him to try to run away: his punishment was having his ear cut off. He is troubled for his soul which he feels is shrinking and is terribly afraid of being caught again by the army. …

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