THE DEAD WAIT. In rep to 26 October.

Manchester

THE DEAD WAIT
by Paul Herzberg

Royal Exchange Studio In rep to 26 October 2002
5.30pm 19 October
7.30pm 11,14,16,21,23 October
8pm 12,17,24,26 October
Runs 2hr One interval

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Review Timothy Ramsden 7 October

Finely performed dissection of apartheid's impact and legacy in an eventually forceful play.A title like this has to bear a pun: and it does. Paul Herzberg's play might occasionally stagger under the burden of its own symbols, but it's a rich study of the guilt dogging post-apartheid South Africa. And Jacob Murray's beautifully-acted production gives yes full weight to its complexities.

Herzberg's first act could stand alone: a white running ace in the South African army finds himself having to carry home an injured ANC member captured on an illegal raid in Angola. Oliver Dimsdale's naïve trooper is caught between the certainties of this prisoner played with sophisticated authority by Wyllie Longmore and his 'mad' commanding officer. It ends with him shooting Longmore's Jozana, at the man's own request.

That was back in 1982; post-interval time shifts to the present; Gilmore has testified to the Truth and Reconciliation commission and received their amnesty; but not the forgiveness of Jozana's daughter, whom he meets at her late father's request. His second pilgrimage from the past is to his old commander, now a lowly railway security guard. Herzberg himself creates this soldier, his initial snarling assurance transforming into a prison of drunken bitterness.

It's this second act which transforms The Dead Wait from a play about political tensions into a meditation on justice and reconciliation. It has dramatic faults, principally an over-reliance on monologues and voiceovers in the early scenes. But there are also fine theatrical moments: 'Papa' Louw's apparent cruelty in dealing with a passing woman, an event that takes a sudden new turn, or -over a longer distance the quality of relationship building between Gilmore and his prisoner/ burden. What starts out worthy becomes magnetic.

Wambo Woman: Medina Ajikawo
Lily Jozana: Karen Bryson
Josh Gilmore: Oliver Dimsdale
'Papa' Louw: Paul Herzberg
George Jozana: Wyllie Longmore
Voiceovers: Paterson Joseph, Andy Serkis

Director: Jacob Murray
Designer: Gemma Fripp
Lighting: Richard Owen
Sound: Peter Rice
Fights: Renny Krupinski
Dialect coach: Lise Olson

2002-10-11 09:59:23