The concept of ‘Play’ is something we forget or redefine as we get older. For six aspiring directors, from Rhodes drama department, this is the basis of their upcoming productions that will be showcased for all to see this week.
The concept of ‘Play’ is something we forget or redefine as we get older. For six aspiring directors, from Rhodes drama department, this is the basis of their upcoming productions that will be showcased for all to see this week.
Each chose a one-act play, playing with the word PLAY. What resulted is a mix of thought provoking ideas, a reflection of how we see our worlds, the people in them and the idea of what could have been.
Interviewing each of the Directors gave Grocott's a glimpse of what audiences can expect and what not to miss.
'Traps' written by Caryl Churchill, Directed by Rosa Brandt
Traps is the understated play written by feminist play write, Caryl Churchill. It is about six people and the perceptions they are trapped in and the possibilities of what could be if something was different. This production has many layers but flows beautifully, taking the audience on a journey of different times and possibilities. It ‘PLAYs’ with time and the potential it offers us.
Rosa Brandt was drawn to this production piece as she was fascinated by the relationship between the characters and how trapped in a room; they create their own playground by playing games with each other. It transcends from the upfront cruelty of children to the subtle over tones of adult manipulation.
'Saturday Night at the Palace', written by Paul Slabolepszy, Directed by Erin Cutts.
'Saturday Night at the Palace' is a coming of age story about two young, white male South Africans in 1983, who find themselves at an abandoned road house in the early hours of the morning. Their only company is an old black man who wants nothing more than to go home. What ensues is a night that defines the character of all men involved.
Erin Cutts as well as directing this production has designed and created the sets and promised that visually the colour pallet will reflect the essence of South Africa. She based the idea of PLAY on PLAY.m'china," a phrase that captures the dynamic local vocabulary that has flourished from the many South African languages. It is a play on the idea of friendship and truth behind kindness, making the phrase "my china" both ironic and truthful.
‘The Boundary’, written by Tom Stoppard and Clive Exton, Directed by Bryce Woodiwiss
The Boundary is about a lexicographer called Johnson, who arrives at the library to continue his work on his dictionary. He is horrified to discover that the place has been ransacked and paper is everywhere, so much so that the body of his wife, Brenda, is hidden from view. Johnson and his collaborator conclude that the vandalism is the work of Brenda, who was scorned for her lack of talent as a lexicographer.
Bryce Woodiwis chose to PLAY with borders as the script borders on the non-sensical and the truly meaningful. It is a dark comedy that relies on the timing of its actors to relay the witty text with precision and clarity. Woodiwis enthusiastically lights up as he talks about the production and promises it will be great fun.
'Vincent River', written by Philip Ridley, Directed by Melissa Pentz
Vincent River is not just a play about loss but a play about coping, a play about the survival of two people in the wake of a tragic happening. Their loss brings them together, Anita, played by Maude Sandham, the mother of Vincent River who is the victim of a homosexual hate murder finds herself a couple of months after the murder in the company of a teenage boy, Davey, played by Daniel Whitehorn. Not knowing why the young man has been following her Anita embarks on a erratic investigatory process intent on understanding why her son was lost to her so brutally and what Davey has to do with it. "I was riveted by the content of the text as it has always left me in aw to contemplate the extent to which we as people grapple with the challenges of what can often be a somewhat dismal life."
‘A Woman Alone’, written by Franca Rame, Directed by Candace Gawler
'A Woman Alone' is the story of a housewife held prisoner in her own home, driven to madness by her abusive relationship with a possessive husband and the drudgery of household chores. But can a passionate affair with a young boy let her escape or will the constant harassment from her wheelchair bound brother-in-law send her overboard?
Candace Gawler has set this production in the 90’s, localised it and given it a true South African feel. The issues dealt with are still very real for a lot of woman in today’s society and this situational drama is bitter sweet and thought provoking.
‘Bread’ Directed by Hannah Lax, ’ written and devised by the director and cast
Hannah Lax has bravely devised and constructed an original piece. It is about two different lives and two different points of view and how we construct truth. The imagery is beautiful and the use of light guides the audience and directs the focus of the narrative. Audiences can expect a visually based theatrical play; contrasting the innocence of when we were children and simple pleasures such as play-dough bought us immense happiness, to the intricacy of being an adult and the dough becomes the grain and bread of our lives. It is about loss and the truth we find in it.
TICKETS
Tickets are available for Programme A (3 productions) and Programme B (3 productions) at R30 (public) and R20 (students). 3 productions for the price of 1! You can also expect a couple of surprises during the intervals. Seating is limited to 100 per programme.
