CELL NO. 4

One of the most brilliant shows for me at Musho 2009! (Review by Shika Budhoo)

For me, Cell No. 4 was one of the most brilliant shows at the Musho! Theatre Festival this year. Held at the BAT Centre, it was so affecting in performance that my face frequently fluctuated between the two emotions expressed in the famous drama faces of tragedy and comedy, and all the levels in-between the two.

I particularly liked the juxtaposition of emotions within the progression of scenes as well as the simultaneous presentation of the tragic and the joyous, which is perfectly displayed in the final scene. The words spoken are beautifully written and accurately performed. The story is told via various performance techniques, but most specifically the skill of the actors and their abilities to convey various characters (within seconds of each other) heightened the truly South African script and was successfully directed.

Written and directed by Presley Chweneyagae and performed by Segomotso Modise and Gaolahe Mathenyane, Cell No. 4 was essentially the story of two convicts, cell mates Justice and Rambo. The stories they shared were alive with unique energies explored in the different characters they played. The tragedy of the situation they were in was fully expressed emotionally and physically. The comedy of their lives - an element I assume prisoners have to actively cultivate in order to survive - was done by pure excellence in comic timing. The two actors gelled well on stage and the visible development of their friendship was superb.

The two main issues brought to the fore were the: 2010 world cup and our HIV AIDS crisis. They are two very specifically South African issues, two very important issues of January 2009 (NOW!), two issues that are in existence simultaneously. The play has numerous emotive words to describe it, but I’ve picked out a word that describes the play best: RELEVANT! I say this because, as a true play should be put together, it has an audience in mind. It is for public viewing, it is to communicate something that reaches the audience and moves the audience in action, even if the action is in thought (at first). By watching this show, I believe you will be inspired to take action, in whatever way the play affected you.

I won’t tell you the details of the story, I’ll only tell you this: if you get an opportunity to watch it somewhere near you, do not hesitate - or else you’ll regret watching a show that may move you in many ways and change you in many ways. But above all, it is amazing to see a group of theatre practitioners producing work that is entertaining, enlightening and has all the good bits that theatre offers when it’s done best!


Well done to all involved in the Cell No. 4 production. When all the various elements in putting on a theatre production come together like a finely tuned orchestra, magic is created but I must give special mention to the two men on stage - what a pleasure to see performers with genuine skills and a true display of appropriate energy, even during curtain calls: Segomotso Modise and Gaolahe Mathenyane: Wow! - Shika Budhoo