Bruce Norris’ acclaimed black (and white) comedy Clybourne Park is on stage at The Fugard Theatre, corner Caledon and Buitenkant Streets, Cape Town, until Saturday October 1.
The script explores the fault line between race and property. Set in 1959, Russ and Bev are selling their desirable two-bedroom Chicago bungalow in Clybourne Park.
This enables the first black family to move into the neighbourhood, creating ripples of discontent among the cosy white suburbanites of the area.
Fast forward to 2009, the same property is being bought by a young white couple, Lindsey and Steve, whose plan to raze and redevelop the house stirs similar echoes of unhappiness in the now all black community. The all South African cast includes Andrew Buckland (Tobacco, and the Harmful Effects Thereof); Susan Danford (Broken Glass, Missing…); Lesoko Seabe (Siembamba); Scott Sparrow (Strangers On A Train); Nicholas Pauling (The Pervert Laura, A Steady Rain), Pope Jerrod (Othello) and Claire-Louise Worby (Court).
Clybourne Park is an inspired response to Lorraine Hansberry’s renowned play, A Raisin in the Sun, with that play’s protagonists, the Youngers, as the young black family moving to Clybourne Park.
“Clybourne Park is a milestone play that examines our sense of otherness and issues such as the language we use with each other, gentrification, heritage and community, in an unapologetically searing but bitingly witty manner,” says Eric Abraham, founding producer and owner of the Fugard Theatre.
“These are conversations that are pertinent to South Africans, and we are thrilled to be presenting the South African premiere of this Pulitzer, Tony and Olivier Award-winning play at The Fugard Theatre.”
The production is directed by Greg Karvellas (Bad Jews). Set design is by Saul Radomsky (Shadows of the Hummingbird, Orpheus in Africa) and costume design is by Birrie Le Roux (West Side Story, Orpheus in Africa).
Clybourne Park will run Tuesdays to Saturdays, at 8pm.
Tickets range from R120 to R240. Book through Computicket or The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554.
