Woza Albert!

Woza Albert

"This celebrated and much-loved South African classic asks what would happen if Jesus Christ (Morena) came back to South Africa during apartheid. This lively satire of the absurdities of apartheid provides a showcase for the talents of two dextrous actors, who play a range of ordinary characters on the street. This retelling of a familiar story in a new context becomes devastating by the end, shedding light on both the Bible and apartheid South Africa."

I loved this fast paced play, it was engaging and never stopped for a breather. The manner in which the actors make use of mime, dance, music, song, and an impressive athleticism sustainedthe energy of the no-intermission play. It had the perfect balance of humour along with a deep subject matter; while exploring so many different persepctives of black life in the midst of the apartheid era.

The scene changes express the talents of the actors (the brilliant Mncedisi Shabangu and Hamilton Dlamini) and I loved how the clown nose was used for the white characters as a symbol of their silliness and absurdity of the apartheid govenment.

I was impressed with how the characters use monologues to convey words and actions of Morena during most of the play so bringing the audience into the story as a third character up until Morena is seen the last act "raising the dead".

Elements that also stand out is the fun been poked at the media with comical interviews with the Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his take on Morena coming to South Africa. Its a humourous take on the sensationalist strategies of modern media. Especially since, in the end when....nah, let me not ruin it.

 

 

The plot with the religious prophesy of the coming of Morena to raise our fallen heroes like Albert Luthuli, Mam' Lillian Ngoyi, Steve Biko and Robert Sobukwe to make South Africa a better land just as Jesus rose Lazarus was brilliant!!! I would definitely see this play ten times over and would recommend everyone I know see it too!

 

Do yourselves a great service by heading to the Market Theatre Laager Theatre from the 5th of June '12 to the 22nd of July '12.

Market Theatre Complex, Bree Street, Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg. Tel: (011) 832 1641.

Pricing details:

Tuesdays: R75.00
Wednesday & Thursday: R90.00

Friday & Saturday: R150.00

Sunday: R110.00