Set in the heart of Grahamstown, Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet now has a brand new twist – with the traditional ANC as the Montagues, and the westernised DA as the Capulets.
It is also presented in a funky mixture of English and isiXhosa.
Set in the heart of Grahamstown, Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet now has a brand new twist – with the traditional ANC as the Montagues, and the westernised DA as the Capulets.
It is also presented in a funky mixture of English and isiXhosa.
Ubom! in partnership with Rhodes University Drama took this fresh version of an old classic on tour to nine Grahamstown high schools last week, starting with Nyaluza High School on Monday.
The final performance took place at the Rhodes University Theatre, and entrance was free.
As much as the play has been modernised, it is still about overcoming hatred with love.
The Grocott's Mail team attended the performance at Victoria Girls High (VG), where Gadra Matric School pupils were also invited. The performance was filled with plenty of energy and humour and had the audience bursting with laughter.
"I liked the modern twist to it – it was portrayed in a unique way, although I was a bit confused with the DA and ANC thing," said Vuyolwethu Mrotyana, a pupil from Gadra.
Iviwe Mona, a Grade 11 VG pupil, said that she loved the play because "it connects current issues in terms of politics and it was educational at the same time".
The play's director Madele Vermaak said the idea for the production came about while working with people from the community as part of her Drama Master's project.
Vermaak said one of the main challenges was language.
It was challenging to translate Shakespeare into isiXhosa but "even for the English part, it's difficult for English speaking people to understand what Shakespeare is saying."
Cast member Nombasa Ngoqo said she hoped the pupils would receive the play well.
Vermaak said one of the major things they wanted to show is that "Shakespeare can be fun, beautiful and relevant." "We want the kids to be inspired to act – and drama can be used to educate."
