Playland by Athol Fugard REVIEW Feb 13, 1994

By Johannesberg Market Theatre

 At the Studio, Melbourne Arts Centre, until Sat 19 Feb 1994

Reviewer: Kate Herbert around 13 Feb 1994

 This review was published in The Melbourne Times after 13 Feb 1994.

Athol Fugard has always written sharply observed political commentaries on institutionalised racism in South Africa. Most of his plays have been performed by the Johannesberg Market Theatre but Playland differs from his previous plays by dealing with the personal political situation rather than the broader context.

 

Directed by Fugard himself, the play is a dynamic face-off between Gideon, an Afrikaaner ex-soldier, and Martinus, the black caretaker of the park. The ironic location for their confrontation is Playland, a touring Luna Park sans mouth. As the carnival festivities proceed the two argue the human condition, life and philosophy, morality and the Commandments, humanism and religion, existential dilemmas and God.

 

It is New Year's Eve and Gideon wants distraction and celebration. He pesters the reticent Martinus. Gideon is in turn sceptical, hysterical, depressed, a victim but always neurotic and a total dickhead. This oaf is played superbly by Sean Taylor who makes him lovable, annoying, hateful and dangerous, but still sympathetic.

 

John Kani, Associate Director of the Market, gives a rich and poignant performance as the bemused, simple and secretively vengeful Martinus. His dry acceptance of his lot is both admirable and tragic.

 

The two tortured souls are worlds apart and yet are bonded in their struggle to survive the aching pain of their pasts and their searing sense of loss and alienation. Both have murdered. Martinus knifed a white rapist and Gid slaughtered SWAPO guerrillas on the Namibian border. Martinus nurtures his revenge, Gid seeks forgiveness. They scrap like children, threaten and bait each other but just talking to a stranger challenges then alleviates their burdens.

 

The dreadfulness of the night brings them together. They fight and the cold light of morning brings fresh vision and hope that they can move on in parallel lives until the following year.

 

This is a hopeful fable of the New South Africa which makes its point simply and movingly.

 

KATE HERBERT       325 wd