(Sboniso Msimango & Wanda Zuma)
Msimango
and Zuma are brilliant together. (Review by Verne Rowin Munsamy)
The young and
vibrant WordPlay Company, present Flip
Side at The Courtyard Theatre. A
story of a young man’s masculine quest to avenge his father’s death.
A man with
many hats, Sboniso Msimango, is infusing some much need positive energy into
Durban’s theatre scene. With flare and sophistication he has written, directed,
choreographed, performed designed the lights and the set for Flip Side and all I can say about this
talented young man is...WOW!
His
precision and detail within all of these elements that he tackles creates a
great synergy on stage. He employs a skilful eye in directing an opera singer, drummers
in a chorus, as well as himself and young Wanda Zuma, who himself is a marvel
on stage. The set is draped with vines and white screens to create shadows and
a background. The screens resemble large tombstones which is very fitting for
this haunting realisation of life on the streets of Durban.
Msimango
plays Hamly, a young boy seeking revenge for his father’s murder, living on the
streets, befriending James (a hobo) in order to find answers to the killing of
his father. The conversations with the father’s ghost or spirit is embodied in contemporary
dance woven into operatic sounds. We learn the tricks of the trade to living on
the streets and the thuggery that manifests itself within such lifestyle.
Wanda Zuma,
also shines in his role as the aggressive fearless gangster who would do
anything to survive. Embroidered in the eviction saga that plagued the 2010 soccer
world, these two actors reveal what it could have been like to be homeless
while millions were being spent on entertainment and developing sports
stadiums. Msimango and Zuma are brilliant together. There is great cohesion in
this piece and I look forward to future words that thus budding company may
present.
The play is
well written and tackles many relevant, contemporary issues of manhood, poverty
and common fears. My only critique - and this is a personal preference - would
be that there are too many blackouts in the piece. These could be replaced with
better use of the screens present on stage, to perhaps explore shadows and
light more. A valiant effort by all involved, especially Msimango, who proves
adamantly that he means business and has a creative eye for poignant theatre-making.
Flip Side has one more performance tomorrow (August 27) at
19h00 at the Courtyard Theatre on the Durban University of Technology (DUT)
Steve Biko Campus and is definitely one NOT to be missed. Well done to the
team! Forward thinkers making theatre, how will they change the landscape of
local theatre ...?
Tickets R60 at the door. For further information, call 079
601 5406/ 073 787 3681(o/h). - Verne Rowin Munsamy
Posts
