Identical twins perform complex yet
powerful piece. (Review by Philisiwe Sithole)
The final day of the Musho! Festival began
with a show called Brothers produced
by Umsindo Productions, one of the most interesting community theatre groups from
KZN. It is programmed in Musho's main and not in the fringe or in a community
context. It is written and produced by identical twins, Bongomusa and
Musawenkosi Shabalala, who are the artistic force behind Umsindo Productions
mentored by Jerry Pooe.
Catalina Theatre was full house and
expectations were high, those expectations were truly delivered in a
professional context.
The play is about a dilemma that these
brothers were born together but don’t die together. In fact the one shot the
other and after that, in a thin line between life and death, they both open up
about their past and complex relationship.
The stage is an empty space with only the
two actors. They move in strong short sequences towards and from each other,
they run and fight pushed by a dark soundscape. Creating a world in which they
not only fight each other but fight for life and a disproportionate life.
What we see is an explosive 45 minutes of physical
combat in which finally one brother finds the strength to die alone and the other
one to let go and grab life for a second time, having been given a chance to
rectify his mistakes. The play is complex yet powerful. There are small
flashbacks with dialogue, beautiful images and it is amazing seeing these
identical twins perform for the first time on their own together on stage.
The show needs polishing and the script
needs a script doctor because it feels unfinished and not well constructed. Having
said that, this is innovative, raw and confrontational piece. Does it belong in
the Main programme of Musho? Some might say ‘yes’ some might say ‘no, it might
have been better to have put it in the exciting Musho! New voices programme on
Saturday’. I can only say, these are new voices and it is good they get a
space. These new voices won’t die after Musho but will surprise and confront us
in the coming years.
For more details about the Musho! Festival,
visit www.mushofestival.co.za – Philisiwe Sithole
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