(Jailoshini Naidoo)
Much acclaimed show shines with Ronnie Govender’s great affection and
respect for the characters he has written about. (Review by Keith Millar)
The Indian residents of Cato Manor in the 1940’s and 50’s formed a
functional, supportive and vibrant community. They owned their own houses and
they had built their own school, mosques, temples and churches. Many families
had lived in the area for several generations.
There had been social and racial problems, but in general they were a settled,
happy and unified group. Then in the late 1950’s the Government of the day, in
the name of their Group Areas Act, moved 180,000 people, against their will,
from Cato Manor to the townships of Chatsworth, Umlazi and Kwa Mashu.
It is about this era and the many colourful people he had met while
growing in the area that Ronnie Govender wrote his award-winning book At The Edge and Other Cato Manor Stories.
Currently playing at The Loft at The Playhouse in Durban, for one week
only, is Govender’s classic stage adaptation of his book. This much acclaimed
one-person show stars the fabulously talented Jailoshini Naidoo.
Despite dealing with controversial and emotive issues the play is never
vicious and adopts a sensitive and gentle approach to the storytelling. The
message inherent in the piece is more effective because of that.
At times, it is hilariously funny but there are also moments of poignancy
and sorrow as we hear stories of a few of the past pupils of Cato Manor School,
visit a graveyard with a group of friends, and experience the trauma of forced
removal. Through it all shines Govender’s great affection and respect for the
characters he has written about.
Affection and respect are the watchword of Jailoshini Naidoo’s
impressive performance as well. She is a talented storyteller and is able to
switch from character to character at the drop of a hat. At one moment, she is
an old man, then a child, and then a housewife, and then an apartheid policeman,
and so on, as she depicts the many personalities from the stories. However, she
is never disrespectful or mocking and does a great job in creating a feeling of
reality for all the individuals she introduces.
Naidoo is particularly strong with the many humorous moments in the play,
but it shows that she is also quite able to bring a tear to the eye of the
audience on occasion.
At The Edge has recently
returned from a successful tour of India and is about to embark on a world
tour. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this delightful production during its
brief visit to Durban.
At The Edge runs in the
Playhouse Loft until December 8. Shows are nightly at 20h00 with matinee
performances on Saturday and Sunday at 15h00. Tickets R100 booked through Computicket.
– Keith Millar
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