English theatre comes to Innibos with acclaimed Fugard work
Innibos theatregoers are in for a treat as a Fugard favourite comes to the festival in June.
MBOMBELA – English theatre comes to the Innibos National Arts Festival for the first time in its history with Athol Fugard’s play, People Are Living There.
The critically acclaimed production, which is nominated for four Naledi Theatre Awards and which played to a packed Market Theatre for six weeks last year, opens at Innibos on June 28.
Donna James-Jansen, who is handling marketing for the play, says organisers are following through with the “Dream Big” (Droom Groot) theme.
“Festival organisers have really dreamed big by bringing English theatre to the party this year. It adds a whole different aspect to the festival,” she said.
People Are Living There is one of Fugard’s more unusual plays in that it is one of only two not written about apartheid or township life. Instead, this work is a psychological study written in 1968 and focuses on four downtrodden people in Johannesburg.
The stage is set for confrontation and anger as Fugard explores the isolation and frustration felt by the four characters struggling through daily life stuck in a tiny apartment with little or no education, not much to do and nowhere to go. Each started with their own life aspirations and desires but their dreams have faded.
Main character and landlady, Milly, is celebrating her 50th birthday. Recently cast aside by her long-term lover, she is hurt and lonely. The other characters are lodgers in her home; Don, a young man let down by his lack of ambition and a young couple, Shorty and Sissy. The latter married sweet, simple-minded Shorty at 18 because she saw him as an opportunity to rise above her own miserable circumstances. Fugard explores how these characters feel about their respective situations. As Milly says, “There must be something we can do! Make them stop in the street, make them say: People are living there!”
Acclaimed actress Anna-Mart van der Merwe plays the lead role in the production and has been nominated for a Naledi Theatre Award for her portrayal of Milly. Francois Jacobs, who plays Shorty, has been nominated for best newcomer and Carel Nel, who plays Don, for best supporting actor.
The play is directed by André Odendaal and is certainly a must-see on the Innibos 2016 programme.
Theatre: Drama
Date and time: Tuesday June 28 at 18:00, Wednesday June 29 at 10:00 and 19:00, Thursday June 30 at 14:00, Friday July 1 at 10:00 and 14:00 and Saturday July 2 at 14:00
Venue: St Peter’s School
Duration: 120 minutes
Price: R132
Author: Athol Fugard
Director: André Odendaal
Sponsored by: York Timbers, Dr Corné Ackermann, SA Embroidery, Mindful Marketing and Freyja Wellness Spa.
