Popular Durban actress Daisy Spencer steps out of the limelight and into the director’s chair to bring Athol Fugard’s classic Boesman and Lena to the stage from next week.

Spencer is passionate about the book and says she was keen to direct the play.

“Boesman and Lena has always been a personal favourite, so I jumped at the opportunity to stage it. “It is such an emotionally charged play, full of tension, humour, sorrow and optimism, all wrapped in one, which I strongly feel needs to be seen and felt first-hand.

“It does wonders in helping high school pupils better understand the plight of these poor wandering souls,” Spencer added, referring to the title characters.

Although it is being staged primarily as a study aid for high school pupils, there will also be public performances.

“Most casts are chosen according to the availability of actors,” Spencer said, “but this casting went beyond that. I needed to find actors I thought could handle the emotional burden that comes with playing roles like these, and who would not be scared to be pushed to a dark place to authenticate their portrayal of these characters.

“I saw Caitlin Kilburn play the female lead in Man of La Mancha. Her character was so strong and feisty, and yet so vulnerable at the same time. This leant in her favour to being cast as Lena, as she is tough and hard, yet soft and vulnerable at the same time.

“Rory Booth, who plays Boesman, is known as a comedic actor. I thought his role would be a good challenge for him. It will give him an opportunity to explore his dark side, as Boesman is just so cruel and sadistic. Hopefully, in the process, he will be seen as a worthy dramatic actor. It’s rewarding to challenge not only one’s self, but those with whom one works. Mthokosile Zulu, who plays Outa, is a wonderful, hard-working young actor who, although his character doesn’t say much, is doing an outstanding job.”

Spencer says she’s a “complete sucker” for stories of how people try to overcome their plight.

“Their hardships, struggle for freedom, need for companionship and meaningful communication, a search for identity, are some of the themes I love delving into and unpacking.

“Boesman and Lena deals with all these themes and to be given the chance to help bring these very sensitive issues to life is an absolute honour. The appeal was in the story.

“I would love to direct more and these productions are a good place to start, as I know the work, have studied it myself, and have a clear vision of how I would like to see it played out.”

Fugard’s classic story of two coloured people trapped in a struggle for freedom and dignity during apartheid will be staged at the Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf, from February 27 to March 16.

The events in the play take place during the course of a single evening, following Boesman and Lena as they make their way, carrying their possessions, across the mudflats of the Swartkops River near Port Elizabeth.

The pair have been uprooted, their home bulldozed by the white authorities to drive them and other coloureds and blacks in their segregated settlement further away from their white neighbours.

• The production is to be staged at 11am on weekdays for school groups, with public performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sunday at 6pm (two weekends only). Pupils pay R45, with one teacher to every 10 pupils admitted free. Public tickets are R75 (pensioners R60). Book at www.strictlytickets.com or call 031 305 6889.