(Greig Coetzee as Johnny Boskak)Greig Coetzee makes a welcome return for an all too short season of two of his best known plays. (Review by Maurice Kort)
After too long an absence from Durban, award winning actor writer and director, Greig Coetzee, a graduate of our own University of KwaZulu-Natal (then the University of Natal), and who is now based in London, makes a welcome return for an all too short season of two of his best known plays. These are the world wide acclaimed White Men with Weapons and the lesser known Johnny Boskak is Feeling Funny.
Both are one-handers although the latter has the accompaniment of Syd Kitchen on guitar. The script uses rhyming verse and American Rap throughout and is in itself an amazing piece of writing, holding the audience's attention throughout and the guitar music in the background is unobtrusive and adds tremendously to the mood and the ambience. The action is fast and furious as Johnny Boskak embarks on his travels throughout South Africa, from Durban to Eskort - "are there escorts in Eskort and will one be escorted out of Eskort if one has a liaison with an escort in Eskort?" to Secunda and many other dorps in between before ending back in Durban.
He becomes involved with several other characters along the way, notably Two Strokes and Tshabalala and the love of his life, Eve. His very subtle portrayal of Eve by the simplest body movements or the crossing of his legs is a masterpiece of interpretation of a role without being overdone or camp. The pace is fast, from beginning to end with energetic use being made of the stark iron based bed, a wooden table and even a toilet, the only other furniture item on the stage. The lighting was expertly handled by the Catalina Theatre crew. As Greig Coetzee projects very well, the extractor fan from Zacks restaurant below the theatre was no problem.
There are only two opportunities to see Johnny Boskak - February 5 (20h00) and February 6 (18h00).
For an even greater treat, try to get to the Catalina Theatre on February 5 (18h00) for White Men with Weapons, winner of a host of national and international awards (sadly the only two performances). I saw this at the Playhouse Loft Theatre in March 1998. For those who have not seen this, it is superbly based on Greig Coetzee's experiences as a military conscript in the old South African Defence Force (SADF). It became an iconic production voicing the challenges, frustrations and absurdities of serving in the SADF and features several characters including a corporal from hell, a drug-crazed Durban Rambo and an Anglican Chaplain with Tutu-phobia amongst many others, all superbly portrayed and brought to life in startling clarity by Greig Coetzee.
For more information and to book tickets contact the Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf, on 031 305 6889. – Maurice Kort
Greig Coetzee then moves to Pietermaritzburg with the two shows to appear at the Hexagon Theatre with “White Men with Weapons” on February 11 at 19h30 and “Johnny Boskak is Feeling Funny” on February 12 at 19h30. Tickets R90 (R150 special for both shows) Bookings on 033 260 5537 or e-mail hexagon@ukzn.ac.za)
Comment from artist Andrew Verster sums it up: “If Greig Coetzee were in Britain or America his name would be up in lights and you'd not be able to get a ticket. I saw Johnny Boskak is Feeling Funny last night and it is sheer genius - brilliant writing based on the experiences of a young working class man in which every word rings true, with a performance of tender authenticity to match. Don't miss it. Or the twin feature White Men with Weapons
More information visit http://www.greigcoetzee.com/white-men-with-weapons.html or http://www.greigcoetzee.com/johnny-boskak-is-feeling-funny.html or www.greigcoetzee.com
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