Scan barcode
A review by nharkins
Statements by John Kani, Athol Fugard, Winston Ntshona
4.0
3 plays about Apartheid:
'Sizwe Bansi is Dead' is a bit obvious plot-wise, but seems more significant for the small theater as a medium: while posing for a picture, a character narrates what he will later write to his wife on the back of the photo, then acts out the events in the letter, which includes he and another "acting" out what they'll say if/when questioned. Then unwinds its meta rabbit hole, ending somewhat abruptly.
'The Island' (Antigone) is a pretty powerful piece about two prison cellmates, with a play within a play. Also ends somewhat abruptly.
'Statements' is about a forbidden cross-race affair, with strobe light effects to simulate incriminating photos taken at the arrest, amid the voice over of their testimony, which pretty well describe the first intimate contact of any/every relationship, despite the pride/shame of the cultural imbalances between them. Also a strong piece, and one might say this too ends a bit abruptly.
'Sizwe Bansi is Dead' is a bit obvious plot-wise, but seems more significant for the small theater as a medium: while posing for a picture, a character narrates what he will later write to his wife on the back of the photo, then acts out the events in the letter, which includes he and another "acting" out what they'll say if/when questioned. Then unwinds its meta rabbit hole, ending somewhat abruptly.
'The Island' (Antigone) is a pretty powerful piece about two prison cellmates, with a play within a play. Also ends somewhat abruptly.
'Statements' is about a forbidden cross-race affair, with strobe light effects to simulate incriminating photos taken at the arrest, amid the voice over of their testimony, which pretty well describe the first intimate contact of any/every relationship, despite the pride/shame of the cultural imbalances between them. Also a strong piece, and one might say this too ends a bit abruptly.