(Bongani Mbatha)
(Reviews from the
artSMart team currently in Grahamstown at the 2016 National Arts Festival)
Witty one-liners, quirky characters, dialogue that is fresh and
an intriguing storyline (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
Sweetie Darling, written and directed by Clinton Marius and performed
by Bongani Mbatha is one of three productions at the National Arts Festival
produced by Copydog Productions. Nestling in the Scout Hall, this one-man show
is premised on one man’s quest to win the heart of his Sweetie darling, Nosipho,
who sings in the Church Choir. The suggestive set depicts that of a park, as
this is where Jacob (the main character) awaits the arrival of Nosipho, for the
picnic.
The writing and directing is well thought-out and clever, as
we are entertained by witty one-liners, quirky characters, dialogue that is
fresh and an intriguing storyline. Marius intentionally and thought-provokingly
leaves the ending open to interpretation, as we see Jacob, waiting for Nosipho
to arrive, the Romantic in me chooses to believe that all of Jacob’s efforts
are rewarded with the Love that he seeks.
Jacob and his sister were raised by their Gogo (gran) after
their parents were killed in a taxi crash. Jacob finds himself questioning his
faith after the tragic incident and now finds his way back to the church, via
the choir, to be near Nosipho. Clinton Marius does well to use a table cloth,
in various ways, to help Mbatha become numerous characters.
Bongani Mbatha plays the perfect hopeless modern day
romantic, trying to find love using old-fashioned charm and wooing. He is a
diverse actor who is able to easily slip in and out of several characters (my
favourite being his homosexual hairdresser) and his singing ability. Mbatha has
great comic timing and does very well to invent characters that are hysterical.
He finds depth in characters like: Back Pocket, the rival love interest; Gogo; Mr
Wang, his boss in the Chinese Shop and the choirmaster (to name a few). Although
the ending is left open, Mbatha’s performance wills you to believe that it will
be a happy one. An entertaining piece of theatre!
Sweetie Darling
has three more performances in the Scout Hall: July 6 at 14h00, July 7 at 18h00
and July 9 at 16h00. - Verne Rowin
Munsamy
(For more information
on the National Arts Festival click on the banner advert at the top of this
page or visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za)
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