Durban - You may not have met them, but their stories have been so well documented that the mere mention of the names Reeva Steenkamp, Zanele Khumalo and Anni Dewani brings to mind the gruesome deaths they suffered.
And if you are a woman and resemble either of these three, you could feature in a drama aimed at telling their side of the story.
A Durban producer is calling on actresses to audition for Heaven Can Wait, a gripping drama that will be produced for the stage.
Marriam Khan said the play would metaphorically breathe life into the three women who died tragic deaths, and help bring closure to South Africans.
Steenkamp was killed by her Paralympian boyfriend Oscar Pistorius in 2013. Eighteen years old and pregnant, Khumalo was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Thato Kutumela, and Dewani was murdered while on honeymoon in South Africa after the car she and her husband Shrien were travelling in was hijacked.
The play, set in Sandton, begins in the afterlife with the women waiting at heaven’s door after their deaths. However, St Peter will only let them in when they resolve the issues which brought them to heaven.
The twist is that only one of the three will end up in heaven, and they must fight for a spot.
“The writer of the play, who wants to remain anonymous for now, started the script shortly after Reeva was killed.
The story is told mainly through the eyes of Steenkamp, and explores gender, race, and class issues in contemporary South Africa, and how these impact on justice for people, especially women,” said Khan.
She had not yet received any calls from prospective actresses wanting to play the roles, although she was optimistic they would cast people before the play is staged in September.
“Looks will play a huge part, and those chosen need to be able to fit into the role and make it as gripping and intense as possible.
A huge central focus for this movie is the woman’s relationship with their fathers and how that helps them in this journey,” she added.
Khan is hopeful the play will become a strong voice against violence and abuse of women.
* Auditions can be uploaded to YouTube channel Heaven Can Wait.
Sunday Tribune