Local stars in timeless classic
It was performed at Innibos Lowveld National Arts Festival for the first time.
The classic satirical political play, WozaAlbert’s actors received a standing ovation on Friday at Lowveld High School.
Local award-winning actor and director Mncedisi Shabangu who co-stars with Nhlanhla Nhlabathi gave a memorable performance.
It was performed at Innibos Lowveld National Arts Festival for the first time.
Woza Albert is a classic that imagines the second coming of Christ (Morena) in South Africa during the apartheid era.
Masses attended and the audience greatly enjoyed the humour portrayed through a range of ordinary characters on the streets of Mzanzi.
During the performance, the actors – both from KaNyamazane – gave reference to the Bible and showed how they imagined the interaction between Christ and ordinary South Africans would have been. This proved to be a stirring and thought-provoking element of the stage drama.
Shabangu fulfilled many roles on and off stage, as he also directed and produced the play. Audience members had many compliments regarding the show.
Leon van Zyl, for example, said he loved that it was revived by Shabangu and award-winning actor Hamilton Dhlamini.
“There was a lot of energy during the performance and it was great to see a diverse audience watching it. This is not the first time that I have watched this play, although I love this revived version.
The amount charged for the ticket was little compared to other shows and I wish they could have charged the same amount, considering the excellent standard they achieved from beginning to end,” said Van Zyl.
Wandile Shabangu said he loved everything about the show.
“It was a great performance and I came to watch it simply because local actors are performing.”
Woza Albert was created in 1979 by authors and actors Percy Mtwa and Mbongeni Ngema in collaboration with Barney Simon, artistic director at the Market Theatre.
It opened in 1981 and has since won more than 20 awards worldwide. In 1986 it was revived by the Market Theatre with Sello Maake KaNcube and Louis Seboko and again in 2001 another one. In 2012, Shabangu Dhlamini revived it.
