Local production at the Theatre On The Square gets raving reviews
Theatre veterans Fiona Ramsay and Graham Hopkins received raving reviews for their latest production Hansard at the Theatre On The Square in Sandton.
An intriguing, witty and moving new international play which premiered at London’s National Theatre shortly before the start of the global pandemic was recently presented in South Africa for the first time.
The Theatre On The Square welcomed attendees to the production of Hansard by Simon Woods in Sandton from August 21 to 28.
Staring theatre veterans Fiona Ramsay and Graham Hopkins, and directed by Robert Whitehead, Hansard tells the story of a Tory politician Robin Hesketh who returns to the home that he shares with his wife Diana in 1988.
According to Ramsay, the pair previously worked together on a number of projects so staring alongside one another in Hansard was perfect.
“Graham and I have worked together a number of times and had been looking for a play to do – it is vital to keep up the craft of acting and to keep challenging oneself.”
The idea to bring the international play to local audiences came when Hopkins saw Hansard in 2019 in London; he loved the subject matter.
“The wit, the intelligent dialogue, the depth of feeling barely concealed beneath the jousting repartee of a long-married couple – it is an ideal vehicle for the two of us,” he said.
The passion and commitment of both actors was felt each evening as the show received rave reviews.
“It is glorious to have theatres open again to full capacity and Hansard could be described as true or real theatre as it has no gimmicks or bells and whistles – it gets back to the heart and essence of theatre of telling a compelling human story,” said Ramsay.
“It has been received very well and the reviews have used superlatives in terms of performance craft, of a superb script that moves with speed and grace and has been hailed as the best production and play of the decade in Joburg.”
Hopkins added that audiences have been starved of crisply articulate, intelligent theatre with a resonance that transcends time, place and culture.
“Some of the specific concerns have a remarkable currency in the here and now, but the impact of the piece is universal,” said Hopkins.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/317912/grease-returns-to-the-theatre/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/309740/theatre-on-the-square-reopens-with-a-bang/
