(Bongani
Mbatha, Mduduzi Nombela & Xolani ‘XD Black’ Dlamini. Photo by Val Adamson)
I was
honoured to see such care and brilliance both carried on stage and as a subject
matter. I truly applaud Tony Kgoroge and the cast for this workshopped
collaboration for breaking the normalcy of toxic masculinity through man to man
conversation. (Review by Philisiwe Twijnstra)
The play Bigly Yuge (which is in isiZulu) has broken down the walls of
androcentrism and toxic masculinity by exploring the vulnerability and
shamefulness in an hour through punchy lines and bratty conversations and had a
tincture of moral comedy. The production features the brilliance of Baby Cele
playing the role of feisty and spunky Cynthia with impeccable talents of
Bongani Mbatha, Mduduzi Nombela and Xolani ‘XD Black’ Dlamini. The play, which
is running in the Playhouse Loft, produced endless comical releases.
Bigly
Yuge is a play that combines comedy, song and
dance. From dieting to exercise; from people pointing fingers and passing
unkind remarks; to the strain on relationships; and the inability even to find
a relationship – all the downsides to being a large person are explored in this
new production.
On centre stage there is a tuckshop, around
the shop there is a fence with three gates. The action takes place in front of
the tuckshop. Around the corner fences, there are rubbish bins. The lighting is
minimal, and the usage of the props is guided by each character’s plot and
desire to survive.
These three friends who regularly meet up
find the conversation inevitably turns to everyday dilemma they face as
‘fatties. One is facing an ultimatum from his wife “shape up or ship out”.
Another cannot even hold down a relationship because of how he looks. And the
third chap thinks he’ll find love by working through as many women as possible.
All three have serious introspection to do,
and realise they have to make drastic changes in their lives if they wish to be
the people their partners would like them to be. But they also have to learn to
love themselves before anyone else will love them in return.
The play has several amusing scenes and the
most memorable scene was when the tuckshop owner was fat-shamed by his friends
and he got everyone to wear tightly body-fitted exercising costumes. Beautiful
and hilarious moment in the play. But also, it was heart-warming to see men in
their lack of brazenness. The actors handled that scene with precise physical
comical timing, but I do believe that scene carried so much power and reason.
Although I do think that the play as a
whole could become better, when given attention to the following thoughts:
There is a blur line between street comedy and theatre comedy and at times it
proves hard to distinguish that difference. Hence this play demands an actor to
identify the balance between acting-reacting and acting for laughs.
The actors should be aware of articulation
and speed; Comedy is a soft dance between being funny and being truthful. I
missed the rawness of each scene because I presume there was lack of trust.
Trust that each line spoken by an actor could release and receive the
appropriate, deserving reaction from the audience.
However, this is an easy fix. The actor
could take more time and give the scene and the audience trust; also trust the
build-up of each scene. Concerning the script, vital subjects were lightly
thrown in the ocean and were left to drown, like the use of condoms and women
abuse. These matters deserve the seriousness of their own, both in reacting and
in the script.
How do men dialogue about condoms and woman
abuse without air-brushing it? That
could add another dynamic depth in the script.
Besides these detailed technicalities,
something crucial stood out for me. It was witnessing, how Bigly Yuge deconstructed the idea of vulnerability and made the
audience experience how it may have looked like when men could actually speak
at each other.
I was honoured to see such care and
brilliance both carried on stage and as a subject matter. I truly applaud Tony
Kgoroge and the cast for this workshopped collaboration for breaking the
normalcy of toxic masculinity through man to man conversation. Bravo and on to
the next one.
Bigly
Yuge runs in The Playhouse Loft until December 15,
with shows from Wednesdays to Saturdays at 19h00 with Saturday matinees at
14h00 and Sunday shows at 15h00. Tickets R100.
Booking through Web tickets outlets at select Pick ‘n Pay outlets, or
online at www.webtickets.co.za Alternatively call 031 369 9540 (office hours). –
Philisiwe Twijnstra
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