Performing
19 years later, Rajesh Gopie’s classic one-man masterpiece play returns to the stage
DYNAMIC actor, Rajesh Gopie will take his audience on a walk down Memory Lane – reliving his childhood in his play Out of Bounds. The play was written and acted by Gopie, first staged in 1999.
Gopie, 46, was born and raised in Munchis Corner, Clare Estate, Durban. He now lives in Johannesburg – but spends his time between the two cities. Gopie, a drama expert, is a visiting associate lecturer in foundation studies (education) at the University of Witwatersrand. He is also a film and television actor, teaches acting and writes and produces plays.
He says Out of Bounds is a classic, legendary play in the South African theatre canon.
“It’s heritage value is timeless and like any good play, it has the power to strike at the hearts of audiences,” said Gopie.
Out of Bounds is set in Inanda, pre-1985. The story is about Lal, a young boy, who endures the challenges of a joint family system. He longs for a nuclear family like his richer neighbours, says Gopie. He takes the audience through the emotional labyrinths of living in his family where the gender and traditional roles hold its members in place despite the changing world. Lal desires to break free, but is held back by his patriarchal father who just wants his children to toe the line and not question the racial hierarchy of the apartheid system.
Gopie plays all members of the family – including the women, men, children, as well as secondary characters – black, white and in between.
His play Tamasha on Hope Street has been nominated for seven Naledi Theatre awards – the awards evening will be held on June 11.
“This is a beautiful play and will make the people of Durban proud,” he said. “I don’t usually attend awards, but maybe this year I may. Win or lose, it really doesn’t make a difference.”
Out of Bounds will be at the izulu Theatre, Sibaya Casino from June 1-3. Tickets are R140 a person, from Computicket.