A SOUTH African classic and school set work, The Island (by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona) makes its way on stage in Pietermaritzburg for a short season.
Starring Mpilo “Straw” Nzimande (Horn of Sorrow, Cinderfella) and TQ Zondi (Tshepang, Woza Albert!), the production will be directed by Peter Mitchell and stage at the Hexagon Theatre at the University of KZN in Pietermaritzburg.
According to the plot, John and Winston are two prisoners on Robben Island, bound by ideology, proximity, shackles and a deep affection. As they rehearse for a performance of Sophocles’s Antigone at the prison concert, John learns that his release is imminent; Winston is a lifer.
Mitchell said this classic balances hope and despair as it identifies with Antigone’s struggle of right and wrong, the law of State versus the law of the heart.
“This is a play that I’ve always wanted to do because it says so much about hope and despair and freedom and who makes laws. The big question, because it revolves around Antigone, is whose laws do we listen to? Do we listen to the laws of the heart? Do we listen to God’s laws? Do we listen to the laws of man? So we need to reassess which is the correct law to listen to,” he said.
Commenting on the two actors, he said they were perfect to do The Island: “Because they are such close friends and have been acting together for so long, the relationship that is required in The Island is already there.
“The play requires the actors to be very close with each other. Individually, Straw is the most remarkable character actor. He takes all his cues from who the character is and fills it with the most enormous amount of energy. That makes him perfect to play the part of John. It’s his energy and his passion.
“TQ is normally the quiet, more thoughtful one, but he has this remarkable intensity and power when he gets going. And the character of Winston is a kind of quiet, uptight character, until he loses his temper.”
After this run of The Island the duo will then perform in Horn of Sorrow in March April. Thereafter The Island will tour the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, before coming to stage in Durban for a short season later in the year.
• Shows for The Island at The Hexagon: until Saturday at 6pm. R70, R50 for students and seniors at Computicket. School block bookings through the theatre at 033 260 5537.