(The cast wearing some of the highly
colourful costumes. Pic by Val Adamson)
Startling, brash, raw,
unexpected, angry, and uncompromisingly explicit. (Review by Keith Millar)
Startling, brash, raw,
unexpected, angry, and uncompromisingly explicit. That is a lot of words, but
they go some way to defining the Durban University of Technology’s unusual and innovative
production, The House of Hunger.
Adapted for the
stage by Roel Twijnstra and Jerry Pooe from the landmark book of the same title
by the avante garde and eccentric Zimbabwean writer, Dambudzo Marechera, the
production is quite unlike anything I have seen before.
The performance
takes place on a ramp/stage set-up in the newly brick paved area outside DUT’s Courtyard
Theatre. The seated audience are accommodated on an array of chairs, settees
and chaise lounges, while others stand close to the stage. The proximity of the
audience to the stage creates the effect that they are almost part of the
action enacted before them.
The costumes are
outlandish, highly colourful, and almost baroque like. They are absolutely
fabulous.
There is a cast of
18 talented second and third year students with energy to burn and perform with
great enthusiasm and vigour. The presentation is in the form of a mix high camp
fashion show with plenty of loud electronic music, frantic dance and, at times disturbing,
melodrama.
Author Dambudzo
Marechera grew up in a dysfunctional family in colonial Rhodesia. His volatile
novella The House of Hunger is a
semi-autobiographical account of township life at that time. In a series of
incidents he relates his profound experiences of violence, explicit sexual
promiscuity and racial segregation. He gives insight into the effects of
poverty and deprivation on a community, and as such carries important messages
for all societies.
Marechera’s writing
is superbly fashioned but with brutal anger, madness, despair, and savage
humour. He tragically died at the age of 35 from an Aids-related illness.
Twijnstra and Pooe
have translated his words into frenetic action on the stage. The audience is
exposed to very graphic and realistic enactments of everything from vicious
fights to violence against women, sex and gang rape. There is even a murder
thrown in for good measure.
To single out
individual cast members would do an injustice to the others as all gave
everything to their roles and overall the performances were very strong.
The production was
directed by Roel Twijnstra who was assisted by Jerry Pooe, who was also the
musical director. Special mention should also be made of Philisiwe Twijnstra
for her superb costume design.
The House of Hunger is an in-your-face, no holds barred and relentless
experience. Given the budget and experience restraints inherent in any student
production it is actually very good and well worth supporting. Only, leave the
kids at home because it certainly qualifies as an adults-only warning on the
grounds of sex, language and violence.
The House of Hunger is presented by the Department of Drama and
Production Studies at the Durban University of Technology. Performances will take
place outside the Courtyard Theatre on the Steve Biko campus of DUT in
Mansfield Road until May 16.
NB: The show starts at 19h00 and not at
18h00 as has been widely advertised.
To book, call
031-373 2194 or email lebohangs@dut.ac.za Tickets are also available at the door. –
Keith Millar