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Sunday, February 16, 2014

WOZA ALBERT!



(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