JUNK STATUS

(Vedarsha Singh)

Junk Status – a term much in the news at the moment – is the title of a play written and performed by Vedarsha Singh and directed by Donna Steel which will have two performances at Seabrooke’s Theatre at Durban High School on April 7 and 18.

“The east coast of Africa’s treasure chest, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal is a microcosm of South Africa. The epicentre of colour and culture, a melting pot, rich in traditions and diversity,” says Singh. “By its very nature, the city is always abuzz with energy and visceral experiences. However, the slow rate of economic growth and attendant socioeconomic tensions are taking its toll. Characters walk these streets with mixed emotions. Freedom failed to deliver on its promises of pavements of gold and “a better life for all”.”

“Hopeful? Naïve? Or a bit of both? To whom do we turn when the system is seemingly not on our side? Yet on a daily basis, these characters must survive by clinging onto any hope they have left. What may seem like an everyday situation is played with and examined. Indeed, the aim is to entertain audiences but also to draw them closer into a more intellectual engagement with what are, at times, very serious concerns about the state of the nation. The second wave of feminism saw the rise of phrase – ‘The personal is political’ - and Junk Status explores this,” Singh adds.

A high energy, family show that caters for all types of audiences by blending together humour with poignant character portrayals., the play aims to create a sense of hope by relaying some of these life experiences with a broad, physical acting style. A sparse set, with simple props and the use of placards allow the narrative to progress.

Episodic in nature, we meet a few different characters that share (through energetic monologues) how socioeconomic tensions in South Africa manifest in a local context, in this case, a typical Durban context.

Junk Status has performances at 19h00 on April 7 and 8 at Seabrooke’s Theatre at Durban High School, 255 St Thomas Road, Musgrave, Durban. Tickets at door.