‘My Wife: Review of The Loving Bully’
Staged at Empangeni Civic Centre on Saturday, 13 April. Review by Masedi Godfrey Manenye: artist, scholar, theatre practitioner and creative arts lecturer at Unizulu
‘MY Wife: The Loving Bully’ is a heartwarming yet insightful professional community theatre production, capturing the essence of marriage and relationships.
Led by talented actors Mthandeni Mbambo and Wellington ‘Gogo’s Boy’ Makwakwa, the play delves into themes of love, loyalty and laughter, resonating with audiences through its relatable characters and engaging storytelling.
The setting of a construction site provides the backdrop for Mbambo and Makwakwa's characters to guide the audience on a captivating journey.
Interacting as colleagues sharing lunchtime anecdotes, the play evokes reflections on the rich tradition of storytelling in community theatre.
This is reminiscent of iconic productions like ‘Woza Albert’ by Percy Mtwa and the late Mbongeni Ngema, as well as ‘Sizwe Bansi is Dead’, performed by the legendary duo John Kani and Winston Ntshona.
These seminal works serve as testament to the enduring impact of community theatre in shaping narratives and engaging audiences across generations.
A tale of life lessons
As the house lights dimmed and the curtain was raised, a beautiful young lady graced the stage with her elegant dance, encircling the character peacefully sleeping on the floor.
With dreamy contemporary movements, the sequence unfolded and was suddenly interrupted by the entrance of the supervisor, shattering the dreamlike atmosphere.
Mbambo's character (Ngcobo) erupted in fury at Makwakwa's character (Mbijana), questioning why his peaceful slumber was disturbed.
In this pivotal moment, it became evident that the evening would be filled with cheerful laughter intertwined with valuable life lessons.
The Xhosaspeaking construction supervisor discovers a jam sandwich in his lunchbox, much to his friend's surprise, prompting a conversation about marital dynamics.
This leads to a series of humorous stories, revealing
the character's feeling of being bullied by his wife. Makwakwa's character portrayal is marked by grace and poise, drawing the audience into his life story with finesse. His performance, reminiscent of Winston Ntshona's nuanced characterisations alongside John Kani's energy, is
captivating and evocative.
In contrast, the resilient yet vulnerable Zulu man portrayed by Mbambo shares his own tale of heartbreak and betrayal, advising his friend to assert dominance in his marriage.
However, the Xhosa man rejects this notion, affirming his belief in his wife's love and refusing to resort to violence.
This interaction underscores the play's central theme of love and loyalty, showcasing the complexities of relationships, and the importance of understanding and communication.
‘My Wife: The Loving Bully’ is a must-see production that leaves a lasting impression through its genuine performances.