(TQ Zondi & Mpilo Nzimande)
“Woza Albert! A
dynamic and riveting reminder about why we are voting. Its style of
storytelling has inspired and influenced theatre around the world.”
These are the words from UKZN's Hexagon Theatre, which will
present this classic of South African theatre which 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 original 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 the Hexagon. “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
from May 6 to 8 at 18h30 at Seabrooke's Theatre, DHS. Tickets R75 (R40 students
and seniors) Bookings at Computicket. School block bookings through doreen@thinktheatre.co.za
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