Written by Mike Van Graan
Directed by Greg Homann
Artscape Arena, 24 April 2013 – 11 May 2013
Grahamstown National Arts Festival, 27 June 2013 – 4 July 2013
Brothers in Blood, currently showing in Cape Town at the Artscape Arena, before making its way up to the famous Grahamstown Festival, is a play about subjects that some might believe are best left untouched. It is a play about prejudice, and, in the words of director Greg Homann, “a play that problematizes how we respond in climates of fear.” Through five characters from widely different backgrounds, both cultural and religious, Van Graan weaves a series of encounters that show the conditioned responses that we have towards one another, be that as Jew, Muslim or Christian. Compounding the complexity of the relationships and stereotyping, the play is set against the backdrop of a time in Cape Town’s history when it was experiencing the vigilante justice and terrorist attacks of PAGAD – People against Gangsterism and Drugs. With gangsterism and drugs claiming so many lives on the Cape Flats, this organization took matters into their own hands, but did so with violence and some devastating results, which caused fear of this largely Muslim group. As occurs elsewhere in the world, Muslims are all seen as faceless terrorist and dangerous criminals, no longer human beings with personal stories. In the end what binds these characters is a single concern: the desire to protect those dearest to them no matter how violent or terrible the consequences.
David Dennis shines in the role of Abubaker Abrahams and the play is worth seeing for his performance alone. There are also strong performances by Aimee Valentine and Kurt Egelhof (this is his first ensemble performance in ten years).
A dramatic and deeply tragic play, Brothers in Blood purposely confronts its audience with uncomfortable and thought-provoking material. As ever, Van Graan’s work is excellently written and realised.
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For More Information Visit:
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http://www.artscape.co.za
http://www.artscape.co.za/show/brothers-in-blood/654/
