THE city of Durban is alive with all sorts of possibilities; but contained therein is a darker, less forgiving side of the city that’s experienced most acutely by the homeless. This ‘flipside’ of the city is revealed in thrilling fashion by one of Durban’s fastest rising stars Sboniso Msimango, in the play Flipside, which runs at DUT’s Courtyard Theatre this week, from 25 to 27 August.
Written and directed by the young Durban Mercury Award-winning, director, actor and playwright Sboniso Msimango, FlipSide is a gripping tale of two boys living on the streets of Durban as they struggle for both mental and physical survival.
Hamly, played by Msimango and James, played by Wanda Zuma, are lively street-baggers enduring the harsh conditions of living on the cold streets while struggling to hold onto their humanity. Between these two characters we see a friendship that’s tested to its limits as Hamly and James battle for survival in world where such relationships are not only rare, but somewhat endangered.
Drawing on our natural instinct to create relationships and the conflict that can bring, FlipSide poses to us all a heart wrenching question: how does one build a relationship when life is a daily struggle for survival, and what purpose does it serve? This is a riveting story that explores archetypal themes relationships, family, duty and free will from a perspective that should prove both refreshing and compelling for Durban audiences.
Flipside also stars Gcina Mavuso as The Father, Mfundi Ndwalane as the Musician, with Celeste Mpanza and Ayanda Nxumalo as the vocalists.
Shows start at 7pm. Tickets cost R60. Call the Courtyard Box Office on 031 373 2194 (office hours). Tickets for the school performances are R30. To secure bookings, or for further information, call 079 601 5406/ 073 787 3681(o/h).
