DUT Drama Studies presents its annual
isiZulu production, USiza - an
adaptation of Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Julius
Caesar, at the Courtyard Theatre at DUT running from March 1 to 8, 2019, under
the direction of Siza Ka Mnisi Mthembu, with choreography by Mdu Mtshali and
translated into isiZulu by Sabatha Ngcobo.
DUT Drama keeps the tradition of
Shakespeare alive by consistently interrogating the playwright’s universal and
timeless writings and enduring themes in regular contemporary and new
productions which have toured internationally and have been staged in English
and isiZulu.
This cast of 50 second years is led by
Nduduzo Ncwane in the titular role, as uSiza, with Mark Antony (Antoniyasi)
played by Vuyolwethu Biyela who takes centre stage to avenge Siza's death. The
conspirators are led by Cassius (Kheshisi) played by Mthobisi Mkhwanazi and
Brutus (Blutha) played by Sfundo Nzuza.
This adaptation is set somewhere in South
Africa, using the fractious political context of the country as a worthy backdrop
to the drama.
The
Tragedy of Julius Caesar is one of several plays by
William Shakespeare inspired by true evens from Roman history – along the same
vein as Coriolanus and Antony and Cleopatra. The theme is the
personal within the political – Brutus’ conflicting internal struggle with
issues of honour, loyalty patriotism and friendship.
The story takes place in 44 BC after Caesar
has returned to Rome and faces a conspiracy among Roman republicans led by
Cassius who has persuaded Caesar’s friend Brutus to join them.
Though he is Caesar’s friend and a man of
honour, Brutus joins in the conspiracy against Caesar’s life. He grapples with
deciding the appropriate response to the political conflict and is supported in
his moral dilemmas by his noble wife, Portia. On the other hand, Caesar’s wife
Calpurnia has a premonition of doom – prophesying her husband’s death. Caesar
is slain at the Senate on March 15 (“the Ides of March”). Caesar’s friend Mark
Antony, in a perfectly placed piece of propaganda, gives a stirring funeral
oration which turns the crowd against the conspirators, beginning with the
often quoted lines: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears…..”
Antony’s challenging of the conspirators ultimately results in a bloody civil
war – the battle of Philippi – in which Brutus and Cassius are defeated by
Caesar loyalists and kill themselves to avoid further dishonour.
This is the seventh annual production in
isiZulu – last year was the double-bill production insumansumane and ukufa
kukaShaka; and in 2017 was Welcome Msomi's iconic and critically acclaimed
1971 play uMabatha - a localized
reading of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
USiza runs in the Courtyard Theatre at the
Durban University of Technology from March 1 to 8 nightly at 18h00. Tickets R50
(R20 students with student cards).
Advance bookings can be made through
Busisiwe Mqadi on 031 373 2810 or email Busisiweem@dut.ac.za Tickets can also be
purchased at the door.
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