World premier of ‘Lenny’
A play commemorating the life of former political activist Lenny Naidu is to be staged in the Playhouse Drama theatre.
A POWERFUL new play commemorating the life of former political activist Lenny Naidu is to be staged in the Playhouse Drama theatre in Durban this month.
Written and narrated by Jayshree Parasuramen and starring Rahul Brijnath, Lenny tells a moving human story about a man who gave his life for to the struggle for freedom of the people of South Africa. Directed by Themi Venturas, the production’s world premiere season takes place in the Playhouse Drama Theatre in Durban from 21 to 31 July.
“While Lenny is a story based in the history and facts of the ANC stalwart Lenny Naidu who was killed during the latter years of apartheid by the Third Force based at Vlakplaas, the story is also universal. It is about families who are torn apart by history unfolding, and those that are left behind. It is about chance, but most of all it is about one human’s propensity for brutality on another – the sort of brutality that was inflicted by the apartheid era, or the holocaust, or the Russian pogroms, or the killing fields of Cambodia,” said Venturas.
Parasuramen said: “Lenny is a celebration of our freedom. It is a story to remind us of the journey of our unsung heroes, who despite many challenges were determined to bring about change, whose struggle should never be extinguished from our minds. It is a play that will further strengthen relations with people across the race barriers, bringing about unity. It is set to capture the hearts of all South Africans as Lenny fought for the oppressed despite their colour.”
Rahul Brijnath appears in the title role as Lenny, with Parasuramen as the narrator. Further casting features Savy Ramsamy as Lenny’s mother Neela, and Yashik Singh plays the activist’s best friend, Richard. Others in the cast include Yateen Dayaram, Warrick Frank and Nqobile Mthembu.
Tickets are R120 and booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com. Alternatively call the Playhouse Box Office on 031 369 9540 or 031 369 9596 (office hours). Tickets for the school performances are R30 per learner. To secure school bookings, or for further information, call 072 926 0692, 083 610 9931 or 031 826 5585 (o/h).
