Text: Athol Fugard
Director: Karabelo Lekalake
Theatre: Scaena Theatre
Dates: 21-24 May 2013
People Are Living There is a milestone play in Fugard’s career as a major South African playwright. Contrary to the belief that Fugard’s plays are racially driven, this two-act play allows the audience to reflect and search for the true meaning of life.
Like many of his staged works, 'People Are Living There' maintains a unity of time and space. In the play, Fugard presents a sad Milly, Don, Shorty and Sissy, whose daily lives are grains of sand that will never have shape or meaning.
Set in a Johannesburg boarding house in 1989, 'People Are Living There' revolves around a landlady named Milly, whose 10-year romantic relationship with one of her boarders has just come to a messy, abrupt end.
With a good deal of bitter comedy, Milly, Don and Shorty organise a party, which is meant to convince Ahlers (her ex-lover) that she is neither downcast, heartbroken, nor defeated by their break-up. The party these three arrange is pathetic, tragic and a comic experience.
The irony of life takes centre stage in this play, especially through Fugard’s silkworm’s lifespan metaphor juxtaposed with the life of human-beings.
The play effortlessly echoes the words “time waits for no man”. Although there is a bleak melancholy shadow over everything that happens in this play, Fugard still gives the audience opportunity to laugh.
Gallery
Cast 1 gallery
Cast 2 gallery