(Clockwise: Madala Kunene, Thabani Mahlobo, Muzi Mhlango and Scelo Ngcobo. Photo by Val Adamson)Four highly talented performers sparkle under Zeph Nzama’s direction. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Four highly talented performers sparkle under writer, director and choreographer Zeph Nzama’s strong direction in his Happiness through the Mist which has a short run in the Playhouse Loft over the next few days.
The show played to sold-out houses and standing ovations in its try-out run at the Hexagon Theatre’s mini drama festival in Pietermaritzburg last year and it's easy to see why. The small cast of four take on a number of characters, each clearly defined and recognisable. The biggest surprise of the evening for me was to find that two fine musicians who I have known for a long time are actually very good actors and movers as well.
A highly respected musical figure on the Durban scene, Madala Kunene stays firmly behind his guitar most of the time – except for a hugely amusing performance as the leader of an isicathamiya group at a concert. He provides a gentle musical background throughout the show, launching into top gear when he accompanies a boxing match. His wry observations lend much humour to the piece.
The diminutive and highly versatile Thabani Mahlobo whose slight physical structure belies a very strong and flexible body is another well-known guitarist. He held me riveted as I watched him move in and out of a number of roles from an Afrikaans foreman to a stick-carrying elder in search of beer to a woman on a dance floor in impossible platform shoes supporting his equally impossibly skinny legs!
Madala Kunene and Thabani Mahlobo could probably create a successful comedy double-act incorporating guitar music.
The younger two members are Scele Ngcobo and Muzi Mhlango – remember these names! Between them they produce most of the action. Another potential double-act here, their comedy timing is excellent and even in the hilarious scene at a gay club, they remained focused while the audience collapsed in hysterics.
The show deals with four old men, sitting around on crates reminiscing about the old days in Umkhumbane (Cato Manor) before communities were divided and scattered outside the city in the forced removals of the late 1950’s. As the show progresses and their memories are played out, the message of the production is the determination to recreate this common bond for the future. The four voices blend well together in song and the performers come across as a strongly bonded ensemble.
While some of the finer details of the humour were lost on me because my command of Zulu was not strong enough to follow, this should in no way deter those who aren’t able to speak Zulu. The actors’ clear control of their characters and their body language often transcends speech.
The only problems I had was the over-use of the smoke machine in the beginning and the over-amplification of Madala Kunene’s guitar which occasionally drowned out the dialogue. The show could also do with a small amount of pruning and I would have liked the ending to have been a bit more vigorous in keeping with the sentiments of the closing sequence.
There was also no warning to switch off cellphones before the show which may or may not have had anything to do with people in my vicinity blithely sms’ing during the production, the lights from their phones causing a distraction to those around them. The use of cellphones by audience members is a direct insult to the actors, apart from irritating everyone sitting either to the side or behind them.
Other than that, all I can say is – do yourselves a favour and go and see this production!
Presented by Umgubho in association with Imbumba Artists Productions, Happiness through the Mist runs in The Playhouse Loft until May 24 at 19h00. Tickets R50 and early booking is advised through Computicket on 083 915 8000, or Playhouse Box Office on 031 369 9540 or 369 9596 (office hours). – Caroline Smart
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