Sihle Mnqwazana from Mowbray is among the stellar cast in Edward Albee’s acclaimed play, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, which started last Wednesday April 24 at the Baxter Theatre.
This triple Pulitzer Prize-winning play is directed by Mdu Kweyama and Sihle is part of a cast that includes Lionel Newton, Jennifer Steyn and Paul Savage.
The play tells the tale of a middle-aged architect, Martin, played by Mr Newton, who falls in love with a goat which leads the family to chaos and their lives spiralling out of control.
Sihle, 25, has been rehearsing for over four weeks for the play.
“It has been four intense weeks of consistent focus, self-introspection, and hard work, each week sinking our hearts deeper into one of Albee’s most thought-provoking pieces you will ever see,” he said.
Sihle’s character, Billy Gray, is the 17-year-old adopted gay son of Martin and Stevie, played by Ms Steyn.
“He is a typical millennial who just wants some age-old tender loving care and to be seen and understood,” said Sihle.
Sihle, who is originally from the small mining town of Westonaria on the outskirts of Johannesburg, first caught the acting bug when he was nine, when he performed for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at the Westonaria Sports Complex with his local group called Special Stars.
Since graduating with an Honours degree in Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town, his career has grown by leaps and bounds. In 2016 he co-founded Age of the Artist, which is an online platform focused on making theatre accessible by running mentorship workshops for emerging and talented artists.
He co-wrote and performed in the play called The Fall, which was based on student protests in 2015 and was staged at the Baxter Theatre. The production also played overseas in the Studio Theatre in Washington DC last year and at the Royal Court in London in 2017. He also acted in Athol Fugard’s My Children! My Africa! directed by Mahlatsi Mokgonyana.
Sihle enjoyed working with the director, Mr Kweyama on this play.
“Working under his direction has altered how I approach the text and performance entirely. I will forever be grateful to be a part of this play,” he said.
Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, is currently playing at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio until Saturday May 18. From Monday to Fridays it starts at 7.30pm and on Saturdays at 3pm. Ticket prices range from R120 (for block bookings of 10 or more) to R180 per person. Bookings can be done through Webtickets or selected Pick * Pay stores.
