ISLAND
Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli
Wed 24 Oct
Athol Furgard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona first performed Island at the height of apartheid in Cape Town in 1973. Addressing the south African regime of the time, Kani and Ntshona won Tony Awards for their performances as characters of the same names.
Set in Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, it follows two political prisoners, John and Winston, incarcerated for speaking out against the regime in South Africa. The cellmates endure manual labour by day, and by night they rehearse Sophocles’ Antigone in preparation of a performance for the other inmates. The performance is their opportunity to protest the injustice of their imprisonment, but when John is offered early release their friendship is tested, and he begins to question whether it is ever right to protest and speak out against those in power.
This latest performance is from Fio, whose remit is to bring sociopolitical stories to local audiences; anyone, regardless of background is welcome to join them in delivering these pieces. In Mandela’s centenary year and a changing political climate, this period piece about repercussions for speaking up for what you believe in is still relevant.
Tickets: from £10. Info: 0845 2263510 / www.theatrausirgar.co.uk
words AMY LUDFORD