(Sboniso
Msimango, Mfundiseni Mdwalane & Nqobile Mthembu)
Tightly
directed and
extremely well performed. (Review by Caroline Smart)
Drummer
Lindani Phumlomo and guitarist Zwelithini
Buthelezi perform a dramatic opening to Catalina’s current production, The Working Man, which gives us a taste of
what is to come and as the play progresses, they provide a sensitive soundscape
to the action.
Tightly
directed by Brandon Moulder and extremely well performed by Nqobile Mthembu,
Sboniso Msimango and Mfundiseni Ndwalane, The Working Man features a
strong text by Sboniso Msimango as well as contemporary movement and gumboot and traditional tribal
dance.
The
story deals with Sipho (Sboniso Msimango), a young man growing up in the mining
community. All he wants to do is dance but his father (Mfundiseni
Ndwalane) insists that he works
on the mines. Torn between her duty to her husband and the love of her son,
Sipho’s mother (Nqobile Mthembu) battles to handle the traditional male
control of her quick-tempered husband and the new world of a son who has no
wish to have five wives. Or live in a community where one’s manhood is measured
by what aggression he could produce.
Each member of the cast makes their roles
their own – the characters are believable and very focused. Whether it is the
mother’s heartache, the father’s aggression or the son’s undeniable artistic
ability, you are drawn into their world and feel their pain.
This
might sound as if the production is full of angst but there are some delightful
scenes full of humour, such as one where Sipho has to translate the speech of
the female boss to unsympathetic employees.
There
is no set other than a couple of working blocks and the lighting is effective.
Unfortunately, due to the first couple of rows of the audience being on the
same level as the stage at Catalina, the light set at the back during some of
the scenes blazes right into people’s eyes.
This
hour-long production is well worth seeing.
A Wordplay Company production, The Working
Man runs at the Catalina until August 9 with performances at 19h00
(Thursday to Saturday) and at 14h00 on Sunday. Tickets R80 (R50 students)
available at Computicket outlets, on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicktet.com
or at the door. – Caroline Smart
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