Themba most certainly Can
REVIVAL: NOW IS THE TIME TO WATCH EMOTIVE PLAY The Suit is polished and sparkles with two electric actors in the lead roles.
Aplay dealing with infidelity and the human response to betrayal is not easy to write – let alone produce. It’s the sort of emotions that can easily turn into melodrama on stage, creating something that can induce eye-rolling. The Suit remains one of Can Themba’s most acclaimed works because it’s the anthesis of actorish storytelling. It’s emotive, beautiful and sad – filled with the trials and tribulations of humanity. This time James Ngcobo’s revival at The Market Theatre relies on performances by Siyabonga Thwala as Philemon and Zola Nombana as Mathilda.
When Philemon discovers Mathilda in bed with another man he forces her to carry around her lover’s suit and treat it like a human, a guest in their home. From feeding him and tending to him, the suit starts to fill her life. Loyal to her husband, Mathilda eventually ventures back into society and slowly rebuilds her life, but her betrayal remains a curse.
Twala is electric as Philemon and manages to create necessary sympathy while being a forceful, almost brutish for not being able to forgive Mathilda until it’s too late. There’s a tender intimacy between him and Nombana, who creates a sad portrait of a woman who needs to grapple with her mistakes. While you can write about chemistry, these two light up the small performance space because they manage to swap their responses between tenderness, shame and fear.
James Ngcobo managed to get the small group of actors to deliver a good show, which includes a riveting performance from Lindani Nkosi, Molefi Monaise and Andile Nebulane. Also appearing is Lesedi Motladi in moving dance sequences as Mathilda.
The art deco stage design brings Sophiatown back to life.
The Suit remains striking because set against the backdrop
Thwala is electric as Philemon