(Savy Ramsamy as Neela &
Rahul Brijnath as Lenny Naidu)
Written and
narrated by Jayshree Parasuramen and starring Rahul Brijnath, Lenny
tells a moving human story about a man who gave his life for to the struggle
for freedom of the people of South Africa. Directed by Themi Venturas, the
production’s world premiere season takes place in the Playhouse Drama Theatre
in Durban from July 21 to 31, 2016.
“There is nothing
more exciting than being part of a team that are primary creators,” says
Venturas. “Being the first director ever to stage this new play is a
thrill. It is also, as always, quite daunting, especially when it is about a
person for whom many still have a living memory.”
“How do you give
the drama its necessary impetus without messing with the actual facts in
history? Where does the poetic license begin and end? It is very tricky.
Suffice to say that the historical facts, people, and incidents are all
correct. The playwright has some license to write what she believes was
actually said behind closed doors between some of the characters, and whilst
these scenes may be a little fictional the ethos is not.”
“Whilst Lenny
is a story based in the history and facts of the ANC stalwart Lenny Naidu who
was killed during the latter years of apartheid by the Third Force based at
Vlakplaas, the story is also universal. It is about families who are torn apart
by history unfolding, and those that are left behind. It is about chance, but
most of all it is about one human’s propensity for brutality on another - the
sort of brutality that was inflicted by the apartheid era, or the holocaust, or
the Russian pogroms, or the killing fields of Cambodia.”
Says Parasuramen: “Lenny
is a celebration of our freedom. It is a story to remind us of the journey of
our unsung heroes, who despite many challenges were determined to bring about
change, whose struggle should never be extinguished from our minds. It is a
play that will further strengthen relations with people across the race barriers,
bringing about unity. It is set to capture the hearts of all South Africans as
Lenny fought for the oppressed despite their colour.
“To promote the
arts and keep the legacy of heroes alive takes courage, determination and hard
work. I have worked on this project for more than two years, and plans are
already in progress for a national tour.”
Rahul Brijnath
appears in the title role as Lenny, with Parasuramen as the narrator. Further
casting features Savy Ramsamy as Lenny’s mother Neela, and Yashik Singh plays
the activist’s best friend, Richard. Others in the cast include Yateen Dayaram,
Warrick Frank and Nqobile Mthembu.
Lenny runs in the Playhouse Drama from July 21 to 31 with schools
performances on July 27 and 28 at 11h00. Tickets R120 for the public
performances booked through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com
Alternatively call
the Playhouse Box Office on 031 369 9540 or 031 369 9596 (office hours).
Tickets for the school performances are R30 per learner. To secure school
bookings, or for further information, call 072 926 0692, 083 610 9931 or 031-826
5585 (o/h)
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