NEIGHBOURHOOD. Written and directed by Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni. With Awethu Hleli, Carlo Daniels, Lyle October, Nolufefe Ntshuntshe, Tamzin Williams, Carla Smith and Jock Kleynhans. Patrick Curtis (set design), Michaeline Wessels (costume design), Jannous Aukema (sound design) and Andi Colombo (lighting design). Pictures: Fiona MacPherson. Baxter Studio.
KAREN RUTTER reviews
With the controversial topic of housing as the bedrock of Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni’s new play, Neighbourhood, the writer/director takes a human-centred approach, driving the narrative via an ensemble of memorable characters.
Mashifane wa Noni was tasked with creating a “research-based play on the housing crisis and spatial apartheid in South Africa”. This led to extended interviews and dialogues with a range of people about what home and community means to them. Which of course, exposed the vast differences in where, and how, people live. A city like Cape Town, designed to keep its privileged close to the mountains and the sea, and its poor spread out on the flatlands, is a template for the segregated spatial planning that permeates almost all urban hubs in South Africa. The rich in the centre, the riff raff on the edge.
But what happens when those who spend hours on public transport to get to their places of employment in the leafy suburbs, have had enough? What if they want to be close to their work? What if they want to live in properly-serviced areas where bad weather doesn’t always mean disaster? And how do the affluent respond?
Such is the situation that the characters in Neighbourhood find themselves in. Set in two fictitious neighbourhoods – the informal settlement of Lindela, and the posh suburb of Evergreen – the lives of those who live in one or the other areas intersect. This is mainly via workers coming to service the homes of the wealthy; but also by housing activists wanting to confront their local government rep about affordable housing. When a massive storm destroys the homes of the Lindela inhabitants, they decide to make a move. Literally …
Complex nature of the narrative
Five of this young seven-person cast are members of the Baxter Fire’s Burning theatre company – and they’re all together brilliant. Together with Jock Kleynhans and Carla Smith, the quintet of Awethu Hleli, Carlo Daniels, Lyle October, Nolufefe Ntshuntshe and Tamzin Williams play a variety of different roles in this ensemble piece, ranging from a nouveau riche bitch to an uptight politician to an ambitious developer to a long-suffering domestic worker, teenage school kids, and a community activist. Showcasing a cleverly colour-coded wardrobe and staged on a multi-purpose wooden set, Neighbourhood has a functional no-nonsense aesthetic which belies the complex nature of the narrative.
It’s immaculately delivered, each member of the cast completely on point, with an atmospheric soundscape and subtle lighting rounding out the delivery. I was immersed in the characters and the plot, with a script that had astonishingly frequent funny moments, despite the sombre subject.
Do go and see Neighbourhood – for the fantastic cast, the wonderful staging, and the engaging script. Most importantly, for the issues raised. And the opportunity to hear a range of different voices on a subject.
What: Neighbourhood
Where and when: Baxter Studio from 2 to 24 August 2024
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
