(Mpilo Nzimande &
TQ Zondi)
Woza Albert! is one of the plays for which South African
theatre is best known internationally. Its style of storytelling has inspired
and influenced theatre companies around the world, and it remains one of the
most vibrant examples of satirical anti-apartheid South African Theatre. It
demonstrates the innovation and creativity during a seminal period of theatre
in this country.
This classic of
South African theatre asks what would happen if Christ (Morena) came back to
1980’s apartheid South Africa. The show is primarily a satire that highlights
the absurdities of apartheid and displays the talents of two dextrous actors,
in this case TQ Zondi and Mpilo Nzimande, who play a range of ordinary
characters on the street.
Directed by Peter
Mitchell, the first half of this production highlights, in fast moving scenes
filled with humour, the complete absurdity of pass laws and the ultimate
control employers had over the lives of their employees. As it moves through to
the anticipation and arrival of the saviour (courtesy of SAA), it becomes
darker and more foreboding as his life is relived in an apartheid context.
Using the elements
of theatre established by Jerzy Grotowski and Peter Brook, and combining them
with South African Township Theatre, the creators of the piece, director Barney
Simon and performers Mbongeni Ngema and Percy Mtwa evolved a piece of theatre
that has stood the test of time and still stands as one of the best examples of
modern South African theatre.
“Bringing Woza Albert! to the stage as we
celebrate 20 years of democracy reminds us of the tragic lunacy that was
apartheid, as well as the continued search for compassionate, intelligent and
humane leadership,” says Peter Mitchell. “This production hopes to recreate a
theatrical period in our history, as well as look back from a new perspective
at what changed the face of Poor Theatre worldwide.”
Woza Albert! runs at the Hexagon Theatre on the University
of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg campus. Performances take place at 18h00 on
February 19 to 21 and again from 26 to 27. Tickets R60 (R40 students &
seniors) booked at Computicket.
School block
bookings through the theatre on 033 260 5537 or email hexagon@ukzn.ac.za
More information at www.hexagon.ukzn.ac.za
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