Steyn du Toit
THE blows land thick and fast in the Richard Crowe and Richard Zajdlic’s 1985 classic, A Cock & Bull Story.
Homophobia, friendships, hardships, aspirations, race and violence - the metaphorical bruises left by the pummelling of the dialogue lasts long after the viewer has managed to break him or herself free from this Herculean script’s clinch.
Directed by venerable local director Marthinus Basson ( Macbeth.Slapeloos), thanks to Quentin Krog and Geon Nel’s local Goodwood/Boston adaption, the play’s themes now strike closer to home than ever before.
Performed in English and Afrikaans, while there are no subtitles provided, such is the nature of the dialogue that a basic understanding of Afrikaans should suffice for non-mother tongue speakers to be able to follow the action.
Starring Dean John Smith and Edwin van der Walt as amateur boxer TJ and his coach Jaco respectively, we first meet them during the evening of what is referred to as the most important night of their career.
If TJ manages to knock his opponent, Wiseman, he will be one step closer to realising his dream of competing as a professional boxer. More importantly he’ll also score a new life in Johannesburg, which is far away from his own futureless suburb where children are essentially born with the world already behind them.
However, TJ’s last bout with Wiseman in the ring did not end his favour. The uncomfortable and humiliating events surrounding this disastrous encounter are dealt with over the course of the play, as are its harsh repercussions should history repeat itself tonight.
There are no theatrical walls or boundaries in this production. Designed by Basson, most elements that would be considered part of a traditional set have been done away with. Instead, the viewer is given unrestricted access to everything that’s there: both in the play and in real life.
One is are able to see all the prop pieces, general detritus, cleaning materials and even physical exits leading to the actors’ dressing rooms. A space resembling a rundown locker room or community sports hall - complete with plastic chairs, gymnastic rings and lockers - are however still largely occupied by Smith and Van der Walt for most of the performance.
All action is captured and sculpted by lighting designed by Chris Pienaar. To complete the referential loop, two towering mirrors (facing the audience) have been placed in the centre of the stage.
This kind of intervention of Theatre on the Bay’s performance space means that all rules have been discarded. The result makes for an uncomfortable, yet potent theatre experience that reflects literally and figuratively back to you as viewer.
Don’t shrink away from the confrontation. Instead, have the ‘balls’ to take a good look back at your own hidden insecurities, turn-ons and prejudices. You are not supposed to forget that you are watching a play. Just like you are not supposed to forget that, less than a week ago, Maria Olyne had to travel all the way from Williston in the Northern Cape to Ceres in order to attend the trial of her murdered son, David.
“Come watch me kill a moffie,” his killer reportedly told a group of teenagers moments before maiming and killing Olyne in front of them in the most horrific way imaginable. David’s crime? He was gay, appeared flamboyant and approached the accused for a cigarette.
A Cock & Bull Story is a piece that only works if it’s cast hits all the brutal right notes authentically and without compromise. In addition to mastering specific accents and a wordy two-act script, the players also need to be very athletic, submerged in their character’s social class, and fearless enough to see the plot’s uncomfortable purpose through to the end.
Not only do these two remarkable young actors manage to make fancy footwork out of the task at hand, but under Basson’s exceptional guidance they both deliver staggering performances far beyond their years.
Tackling his role with spirit and grit is Smith. Being in a position to have followed his constant progress from student at Stellenbosch University to one of the industry’s upcoming professionals to watch today, one can safely venture that the future of local theatre looks bright with the likes of this Fleur du Cap winner.
Matching Smith’s powerhouse performance pound for pound is Van der Walt. He’s an actor of immense versatility, and anyone lucky enough to have seen him in Willemien Brümmer Braai(Smith also starred in the piece) at KKNK two years ago will be able to attest to this fact.
What makes a “real” man? Someone who adopts all the tropes of stereotypical hyper masculine behaviour, or an individual that’s brave enough to wear his feelings and vulnerability with dignity and pride. On paper the answer is clear. In reality we know that it is not.
Produced by exciting new independent theatre company Raminidam (a venture between Basson and Pienaar), A Cock & Bull Story is its second production following a very memorable debut ( Die Gangsters) during Woordfees in March.
Make sure you have ringside seats for this stellar piece before it transfers to Pieter Toerien’s Johannesburg theatre at Montecasino next week.
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