(TQ Zondi & Mpilo Nzimande)
(Reviews from the
artSMart team currently in Grahamstown at the 2016 National Arts Festival)
Perfect vehicle for Zondi and Nzimande to show off their
versatility and commanding physical presence. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
The Hexagon Theatre presents Greig Coetzee’s Termite: Tales for Big People at the festival.
Directed by Peter Mitchell and performed by the dynamic duo of TQ Zondi and
Mpilo Nzimande, showing at Masonic Back.The astonishing pair, who recently
brought us Woza Albert and The Island take us back to our childhood
through this Physical Theatre piece that uses fables to illustrate the
political parameters of current South Africa. Mitchell accesses the physical
form within these actors to great effect as he contextualises Coetzee’s script through
the use of beer crates and props, including the actors, in myriad ways.
The actors are confident in their abilities and showcase,
hilariously, several animals, accents, shapes and tales in order to teach a
moral. The duo compliment each other well on stage and they comfortably entertain
the audience with the parables of why the cow slows down cars or why dogs chase
cars.The two break the fourth wall often, as is the style, and engage directly
with the audience. These asides brought
about much merriment while at the same time, reflected our dire political
situation.
With a glove on the head, the two quickly become cackling chickens
(Portuguese, Nandos chicken) or a restructuring of the crates and we are in a
taxi. The satirical script is the perfect vehicle for Zondi and Nzimande to
show off their versatility and commanding physical presence. A thoroughly
enjoyable piece of theatre. - Verne Rowin Munsamy
There are two more performances: tomorrow (July 9) at 22h00 and July 10 at 10h00 at Masonic Back.
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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