A powerful
and necessary production. (Review by Sibongiseni Shezi & Sinesipho Makaula)
Nongogo, by world renowned playwright Athol Fugard, is an intriguing story
of a woman in search of her dreams and herself. Set in a Shebeen in
contemporary South Africa. Nongogo/Queeny is a powerful woman who must struggle
to succeed in the face of the structural violence of the township.
Directed by the remarkable Philisiwe
Twijnstra (Durban playwright, actress and director), the play provides a
chilling mirror of our reality as South Africans and assesses the ongoing
question of existence and the necessity to heal and love through it all.
Watching the show was truly a thrilling and
enjoyable experience. A women’s perspective breathing life into this play makes
for the powerful energy that is on that stage. There is an unapologetic sense of
delivery from the entire cast - particularly from the only female character
among males, Queeny - that serves to truly drive home the extent and depth of
the trauma and experiences of the characters. Choices are motivated and
validated at the end which is a delight to see.
In this rendition of the play, there is a
deliberate choice to add more actors than it originally specifies. This choice
is a highlight as it definitely accentuates the invasive and pungent presence
of man in a woman’s consistent attempt to survive in a male-dominated society.
Often giving generic responses as entitled black South African men, there are
moments their presence feels overwhelming and unnecessary, mirroring not only a
reality, but the effects of psychological trauma that Queeny has faced.
The set, beautifully designed by Sir Roel
Twijnstra, is also interesting as it is not definitively compartmentalised, but
rather there are demarcations on the floor that situates the actors which gives
a sense of a lack of barriers or “boundaries” as often actors walk in and out
of them during scenes. On the one hand, it may get confusing, looking at it
purely from a technical standpoint, however on the other hand, it shows how one
is never truly secure in this society – at least within this world of
narrative.
With such a powerful story, there are some
truly stand-out performances. The character Blackie played by Ayanda Mhlaba is
a refreshing surprise (a personal favourite). He brilliantly plays an underdog
that grows to be the most lovable character on the stage. The consistency of
his characterisation (body language and speech) is incredibly admirable.
Another stand-out is Sam played by
Siphamandla Khanye who gives a strong and convincing performance. His energy
constantly aiming to match his surroundings, he does not drop the ball.
A stellar performance by Thembelihle Ngubo
with an unmatched stage presence necessary to pull off a character like Queeny.
There is something beautiful about how she brings her to life; unapologetically
fierce and tough yet displaying a softer feminine side yearning for love and an
escape at times.
What is truly commendable about this play
is that, even with the heavily patriarchal presence on the stage, it still
manages to empower the woman by giving her the agency to tell her story and
live her truth in spite of a man. This is incredibly necessary at a time when a
woman’s voice continues to be silenced. We can never have enough strong female
characters on our stages.
Nongogo was produced by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Drama and
Performance Studies Department and ran from October 3 to 6, 2019, at the
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. - Sibongiseni Shezi & Sinesipho Makaula
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