EXPRESSED: REVIEW

 

(Above: Mbalenhle Mavimbela and Mthokozisi Zulu)

 (All pics by Val Adamson)

With the massacre of women becoming a norm, Leo trains his wife to give her a fighting chance. As lions abandon their own to find greener pastures this once strong bond collapses and the cycle of Gender Based Violence continues.

 

(Left: Mthokozisi Zulu)

Expressed is a one-act musical written and directed by Mthokozisi Zulu. 

Ayanda Nzimande plays the lead role of Safia, Leo’s wife living on a land not guaranteeing the safety of women. Minenhle Sikhosana plays the role of Mama, a matriach that has experienced Gender Based Violence and watches it happen daily. 

For this run, there is a special appearance of Mbalenhle Mavimbela, playing a role that shows us a different side to the war women face.

The show is 70% English and 30% isiZulu. That 30% falls in most of the poetry.

 

(Right: Ayanda Nzimande)

 

Comments from Madison Opland and Kim Day:

 “Congrats to you and your cast on such a stunning show,” says Madison Opland. “I expect you’ll have your praises sung highly this weekend but it is so deserved because wow that was so deeply moving! Thank you for the time you and your team have taken to share this story; to curate something so beautiful and refined from the heavy truth that burdens our country is so refreshing both as an audience member and a theatre maker. You are truly inspiring.”

Kim Day remarked “Expressed is a beautifully nuanced commentary/factual account of the lived experience of women in our country told so sensitively and respectfully. The multifaceted perspectives were thought-provoking and I came away sympathising with all the characters which was a surprise as I expected to side with the women. The movement and the singing was profound in the sense that I did not understand a word of the isiZulu dialogue yet I understood everything of what was being conveyed.”

This production has an age restriction of 16LV

There is one more performance of Expressed this afternoon at 15h00 at Seabrooke’s Theatre at Durban High School. Tickets can be booked through Webtickets.