(Pic by Val Adamson: The Three Mandelas: Thato Machona, Aubrey Poo and Aubrey Lodewyk)A privilege indeed to see a production of this passion, power and quality. (Review by Caroline Smart)
How do you even begin to encapsulate Nelson Mandela’s life and times into a mere three hours?
If you are Michael Williams, respected and prize-winning author, opera director and well-known creator of indigenous operas, you create a production that is made up of three acts: Mandela’s youthful years in the Transkei (traditional choral); a jazz musical set in Sophiatown, and Mandela’s incarceration in three prisons culminating in his release (opera).
You then allocate those three parts to three different composers - Allan Stephenson, Mike Campbell and Peter Louis van Dijk, all highly respected in their field – and you engage the help of translator and cultural advisor Phumelele Tsewu. Add the resources of Cape Town Opera’s Voice of the Nation Ensemble, ensure you have a stunning soloist line-up and singers who can act and dance, a top class orchestra in the KZN Philharmonic conducted by Albert Horne and the result is the excellent Mandela Trilogy which opened in Durban last night for a three–day run.
Adding to the gloss is choreography by Sibonakaliso Ndaba, well-known to Durban contemporary dance lovers for her work with companies such as Phenduka, Flatfoot and Fantastic Flying Fish, as well as Michael Mitchell‘s set and costume designs. Then there’s Faheem Bardien’s lighting, not to mention Bryan Little’s film design which plays a strong role, particularly with an innovative process at the curtain call.
The sets are effectively designed on clean lines and include hanging panels portraying aloes, the use of an effective “ribbon” curtain in the Act 1, and – my favourite - miniature “sets” in huge boxes portraying rooms which give you the perspective of looking down on them from the ceiling.
The cast is well-chosen and there are no weak elements in either the principals, sub-principals or the chorus.
Strong performances came from the two Aubreys playing Mandela - Aubrey Poo as the young man and Aubrey Lodewyk as the older Mandela – both providing robust and credible interpretations of such an iconic figure. Thato Machona brought a fervency to the youthful Mandela and Tina Mene as Mother was always a delight. Other performances of note came from Tshepo Moagi as the Praisesinger, and Xolela Sixaba as the Chief. There was a beautiful duet with Aubrey Lodewyk and Derick Ellis, who produced the right kind of authoritative yet compassionate energy as Whiteman.
Playing the women in Mandela’s life at the time were Nozuko Teto (Evelyn), Gloria Bosman (Dolly) and Philisa Sibeko (Winnie). However, it is was inimitable Bosman who impressed most with her powerful stage presence, not to mention a particularly stimulating version of Phata Phata.
Of course, none of this would have been possible – as Michael Williams reminded us last night – without the source of inspiration himself. The one and only Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. There is a telling phrase in one of the songs as he reprimands Winnie for inciting violent action … “That is not my way”. Let us hope South Africans never lose sight of reconciliation through a peaceful process.
Presented by Cape Town Opera in collaboration with Rand Merchant Bank, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund and supported by The Playhouse Company, Mandela Trilogy runs in the Playhouse Opera until July 31 with performances on July 30 at 15h00 and 19h30, and July 31 at 15h00. Tickets range from R100 to R165 (R85 to R150 for matinees) Booking is at Computicket.
A privilege indeed to see a production of this passion, power and quality. Don’t miss it – either here in Durban or when it runs at the Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg from August 13 to 19. For overseas readers, an international tour is planned for 2012! – Caroline Smart
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