LOVIN THE MIES

This exploration of love across class and race barriers is a must-see, writes

YAEL Farber’s adaptation of August Strindberg s 1888 ’ classic Miss Julie is a brutally honest, brilliant production.

During the 90-minute show you might find yourself sitting uncomfortably on the edge of your seat.

And in the end you might even need a glass of the fermented grape or something stronger to calm the nerves.

Set in post-apartheid South Africa, the story tells of the complex relationship between Julie (Hilda Cronjé), John (Bongile Mantsai) and Christine (Thoko Ntshinga).

The three, who live on a farm in the Klein Karoo, have to face up to the truth of their relationships with one another in the context of the new South Africa.

John, a servant who’s in love with the master’s daughter Julie, is conflicted.

Firstly, he resents the idea of it because in his black community this sort of thing is frowned upon.

He battles with the question: is it really possible for them to love each other given the superior- inferior relationship that has long existed between them?

Secondly, he despises the idea of being in love with a woman whose father is a racist, known in the community as a ruthless man who doesn’t hesitate to shoot any black man who trespasses or threatens anything that belongs to him.

He further wrestles with his mother Christine. He resents her loyalty to the farm and the love she’s always had for Mies Julie, short-changing him of her love.

He also realises he wants more for himself. The land he’s been enslaved on is the land that belonged to his ancestors, the land that has tormented his mother and his people. He realises that freedom was never free and the cost too much to bear.

Julie, on the other hand, though superior” to John as

“the mies who gets to call the shots, is tormented by the memories of her mother’s tragic death and the love she craves from her dad, which he’s never been able to give freely.

The emotional conflict manifests in anger, frustration, self-pity and borderline madness, as well as violent sexual eruptions between her and John as both burn in their desire for vengeance, restitution and self-preservation.

The end is inevitably tragic as the overbearing feelings take over.

The play’s strong message resonates with today’s South Africa, particularly in light of the current violent service delivery and farm protests.

It is not surprising that this play received high acclaim abroad, not just because of the shock factor, but for the depth it forces audiences to travel to.

It is the same play that sparked much controversy back in 1985, calling for its banning because of the kissing scene between a black and a white actor on stage, then played by John Kani and Sandra Prinsloo. It is a must see. Mies Julie runs till February 27 and carries and age restriction of 18.

tlhoaeleb@sundayworld.co.za or Twitter @MsTumiT