Lethulwazi Zinosa Productions presents Have we been heard? written and directed by the veteran actor Bheki Mkhwane. Have we been heard? is the show awaited patiently by Durban audience, it is the highlight of this weekend. I myself was interestingly beholding my enthusiasm and curiosity. Its been a while since i witness such excitement amongst ordinary people,theater lovers and artist even politicians.
The play traces back the political ideas and conflicts that ruled the lives of communities in the township in the 1980s.The set is made up shacks and a town hall used as a church, the setting sets you back to a township lifestyle, the stage opens up with a dance piece, leading to young school girls playing in their school uniform, the tone of this scene is playful and light prepares you for a disastrous outcome. We are introduced to a drunkard guy played enormously by Hamilton Dlamini he ends up dead early in the scene this emphasizes the cruelty of the struggle in apartheid regime of that time.
Have we been heard? had only one night performance in ICC ARENA, the cast is made up of well known faces in the industry (Thembi Mtshali-Jones, Hamilton Dlamini, Bhekani Shabalala,Fikile Mlomo and Celeste Ntuli.) The show is accompanied by a live band with musicians like Lu Dlamini,Khanyo Maphumulo and thirty-five beautiful synchronized dancers who profuse unabated detail and energetic dance choreography .
Although it was Wiseman Mncube who played Lunga a notorious influential comrade leader and Musawenkosi Ntuli who played Zwelihle a heartfelt, peace driven comrade leader they complimented each other and both oozed brilliance and delivered a breath taking performance they relived and took me to a journey of apoplectic and enigma. Bhekani Shabalala's mannerism on stage is on point, his comic timing salutes the talent he has, it was such a release of laughter and joy to watch him.
Having said that the pitfall of this show was the choice of vanue, ICC is not acoustically designed for a theater piece therefore it did not enhance the greatness of the show. The sound was not audible when dialogue was delivered only when they sang it was loud even to loud.
Hence overall i personally enjoyed it, i sang along and was mesmerized by Durban talent, i hope to see Have we been heard? tour and share our story all around the country.
Review by Philisiwe Twijnstra
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