Ngcebo
Cele &Snelisiwe Hadebe in Sugar Daddies. Pic by Val Adamson
Sugar
Daddies was one of the four productions featured by
The Playhouse Company in its fourth Community Arts Festival (CAF) which ran in
the Playhouse Loft from April 11 to 20.
Forming the second programme of the
festival, Sugar Daddies will be going
on to tour to schools in KZN.
The play looks head-on at the social issue
widely prevalent today of older, often married, men with financial means having
very young girlfriends. These girls often seek ways to achieve a better
lifestyle without considering the consequences and implications of their
actions. The irresponsible behaviour of these older men (“sugar daddies”) brings
ruin to the lives of their own families and those of the young women they
engage with.
This work is directed by Edmund Mhlongo
with a cast that includes Ngcebo Cele, Heather Gielink, Annalisa Gxabu, Vumani
Khumalo, Nompilo Maphumulu, Phumlani Ngubane, Sandile Nxumalo and Snelisiwe
Radebe.
“Obviously I can’t give a full review this
production as I was involved in its development,” says Caroline Smart, “but I
commend all involved for handling this complex and alarmingly-prevalent issue
with strong performances, a clear understanding and a fair dollop of humour.
Honours undoubtedly go to Sne Radebe as the
young girl who gets caught up in her friend’s irresponsible behaviour. As the
friend, Nompilo Maphumulo gave the strong performance we have come to expect
from her as she copes with the mood swings that the character requires.
Handling the vitally important lines of how
many men view sex with young girls, Ngcobo Cele was notably smooth as the
gangster with Sandile Nxumalo a delight as his bumbling sidekick. Annalisa
Gxabu gave a calming interpretation as the mother and Phumlani Ngubane was good
as the harassed school counsellor. Lending weight and a seeming sense of
responsibility as the pastor was Vumani Khumalo.
Sugar
Daddies formed part of Programme 2 of the festival.
The other three productions were Talking
Spirits, Umlabalaba and Zion (Programme
1). (See separate articles)
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