Everyman
Woza Albert
1982 • E4 Mar 23, 1982
'The most politically potent show ever staged in South Africa.
That's how The Observer's correspondent described Woza Albert !, a new work devised by two black actors which has been playing to packed houses in South Africa, both black and white. So far it has escaped censorship, and if that continues it opens in Los Angeles and then London later this year.
The play is very funny and also very moving The story-line is
Itrikingly original: what would happen if Jesus chose South
Africa for his' Second Coming?
At first, the authorities are flattered by his choice; but when he starts to denounce injustice, he is dealt with accordingly.
All the parts, including the Prime
Minister, are played by the two actors: to denote a white man, they stick ping-pong balls on then-noses. In the explosive final scene, th. Moolah raises African liberathe Messiah raises African liberation heroes from their graves.
That's how The Observer's correspondent described Woza Albert !, a new work devised by two black actors which has been playing to packed houses in South Africa, both black and white. So far it has escaped censorship, and if that continues it opens in Los Angeles and then London later this year.
The play is very funny and also very moving The story-line is
Itrikingly original: what would happen if Jesus chose South
Africa for his' Second Coming?
At first, the authorities are flattered by his choice; but when he starts to denounce injustice, he is dealt with accordingly.
All the parts, including the Prime
Minister, are played by the two actors: to denote a white man, they stick ping-pong balls on then-noses. In the explosive final scene, th. Moolah raises African liberathe Messiah raises African liberation heroes from their graves.