South African talent presents’heart-warming dark comedy
MONTECASINO - After its 2012 premier in New Jersey, and a 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, Christopher Durang's dark family comedy has reached the Pieter Torien Theatre.
Director Bobby Heaney shares his experiences of staging Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike for South African audiences.
Heaney is a theatre veteran. After training as an actor at the University of Cape Town, he gradually moved into directing, and is now a celebrated producer and director of theatre, television and film productions. He has won over 30 best director and best production awards.
He was invited to direct Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike after renowned producer Pieter Torien secured the rights to the acclaimed play.
Heaney summarises the play as “a brilliantly funny comedy about two sisters and their brother”, and describes his experience of directing the play as “soul-filling”.
The show has frequently been described as a dark comedy, exposing the dysfunctional lives and relationships of three siblings as they navigate the pitfalls of middle age.
Asked what he enjoys about the genre, Heaney said, “I love making people laugh and cry – and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike does that.”
Why should Johannesburg audiences brave the cold to see this melancholy comedy? According to Heaney, “They won’t see a funnier or more clever and heart-warming play.”
