Arts Writer
FLEUR du Cap winner Mdu Kweyama is directing the beloved local classic Woza Albert at The Baxter. The 2016 winner of the Rosalie van der Gucht Prize for New Directors, Kweyana, brings the show to the venue’s s Golden Arrow Studio until April 9. The production previews today and tomorrow and 30 and opens on Thursday at 7pm. School performances will be on April 5, 6 and 7 at 11am, with a matinee on April 9 at 2pm.
Woza Albert(Rise Albert) was written by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema and Barney Simon in 1981. The play is still regarded as one of the most successful plays to come out of South Africa, winning more than 20 awards worldwide.
Kweyama’s version, brought to stage by arrangement with DALRO (Pty) Limited, was first performed at the Little Theatre last year as part of the Barney Simon tribute by UCT.
The two-hander stars Sizwesandile Mnisi and Oarabile Ditsele, who play various roles through mime, singing, dance and physical theatre – from vendor, barber, servant to soldier.
The play is a political satire that imagines the second coming of Christ in apartheid-era SA. It looks at a range of characters at the beginning of the 1980s and attacks the pass laws that prevented Black people from moving freely at the time. The production uses the metaphor of Morena (Jesus) to show what would happen if he came back to SA during apartheid. Would he like what he saw?
“ Woza Albert depicts and critiques situations that were part of black people’s daily lives under apartheid: the pass laws, the segregation, the subjugation”, says Kweyama. “Many things have changed since the end of apartheid, but some of these experiences remain relevant and a reality to many South Africans still today. Our cities remain segregated spaces, to a large extent. Inequality is high and poverty continues to constrain the lives of many. And, as the last couple of months have shown us, racism and racial tensions remain very much alive in our society. With this play we are able to bring these burning issues to audiences in a satirical way. Although funny, it is true and there is no escaping the fact that these stories are true. I hope this will help open up further communication about the various issues that the country is dealing with at the moment.”
Costume design is by Lee Bishop. Lighting is by Luyanda Somkhence.
l 0861 915 8000. There is an age restriction of 13 years.