The magic of live theatre is no accident. By the time opening nights come about there have been countless hours of rehearsals, set creation, costume design, feeding and logistics management that are often overlooked by audiences transported from reality for an hour or two.
Johannesburg has a thriving performing arts scene where actors, singers and dancers bring scripts to life, but a peek behind the curtain in the lead-up to opening night shows where the magic truly happens.
The Northcliff Melville Times spent a few hours with the cast and crew of The Suit, a ‘musical re-imagining’ of Can Themba’s classic short story based in 1950s Sophiatown.
At one point and with a little imagination, the empty Westdene Recreation Centre hall became a bus stop on a bustling city street. The actors were figuring out how to board the bus, a simple enough movement one would think, but nothing is simple when pretending.
It was fascinating to watch as the director Warona Seane made sure each performer’s individual movements were perfected. The cast includes award-winning actors Khutjo Green and Vusi Kunene who, with their peers, diligently morphed into their characters to tell a tale about an issue that is as old as time, marriage, and infidelity.
It has been 60 years since the story was written and is as relevant now as it was then. It has been performed around the world and is again set to enthral audiences at home.
Mothobi Mutloatse, well-known and gifted writer and theatre director, is the executive producer along with Bridget van Oerle who has included an orchestra to accompany the actors and a choir to add another dimension to this powerful play.
“The wife Matilda’s affair was not borne of hate for her husband Philemon – it was an expression of love in a way that is largely frowned upon by society. Her husband though reacts in a way that is more tortuous than one might expect. He does not hit her, swear at her, or leave her. Rather, he engineers a punishment that makes her indiscretions excruciating and ever-present,” says Mutloatse.
Her lover leaves his suit behind when fleeing the house after Philemon comes home unexpectedly one day. Realising what has been going on, he forces his Matilda to include the suit in all aspects of their life. It is seated for each meal at the table with a plate of food prepared for the ‘third person’ in their relationship, accompanies them on all errands as is a constant and tragic reminder of her actions.
This version for the first time gives the wife’s perspective, from a feminist perspective.
For people who are familiar with the story, Maltolates says, “They will be blown away by the ending; it is not what people are expecting. I’m very excited and know the cast will do a sterling job.”
The Suit Concer-tized will be performed at the Joburg Theatre from September 15–24.
Related article:
A celebration of differences on National Children’s Theatre stage
