January 17, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini
GREEN Man Flashing, a political thriller that sets South Africa's democracy under scrutiny and subsequently lambastes corruption and abuse of political power is now on at the Market Theatre's main stage in Newtown.
Written by Mike van Graan and directed by Clare Stopford, the play, described as "highly pertinent to South Africa's social and political landscape, and at the same time a thoroughly entertaining piece of theatre" by the Market Theatre's artistic director, Malcom Purkey officially opened on 14 January to a standing ovation.
Lauded by The Argus's Rafiek Mammon as a "finely crafted drama", the play takes the audience through a journey of politics that provokes the intellect and appeals to the emotions.
"Van Graan has written a deeply disquieting, relevant personal-political thriller, reflecting these times of corruption, cover-ups and smokescreens. It cuts to the chase as a drama," writes Mammon.
Green Man Flashing started as a radio play broadcast on Safm. It was then adapted for the stage and entered into the Pansa/UCT Drama School Festival of Reading of New Writing in 2003 where it won the Jury Award for best script.
Stopford directs an impressive cast with James Ngcobo of Stokvel fame playing the role of Aaron Matshoba, one of the governing party's trouble-shooters. Michelle Douglas plays Gabby Anderson, Ngcobo's ex-wife and former exile.
Charlotte Butler plays Anna Richards, Gabby's friend and lawyer, while Sechaba Morojele is Luthando Nyaka, an unpleasant party politician with an equally unpleasant past. Andre Samuels plays Inspector Theo Abrahams, a former security policeman during apartheid and now part of the Violent Crimes Unit.
Audience members stand a chance of winning a typically South African item, to be given away on each night of the play - until 23 January:
- A signed copy of Hugh Masekela's recently-released biography, Still Gazing, as well as a copy of his latest CD.
- The latest collection of cartoons by Zapiro, Bushwacked, with each collection signed by the country's premier cartoonist.
- A three-month subscription to the Mail and Guardian.
- A set of four tickets to the Apartheid Museum.
- A copy of Telling Tales, a collection of short stories by some of the world's leading writers including Chinua Achebe, Margaret Attwood and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
The drama contains scenes of female nudity and is not recommended for anyone younger than 16.
Green Man Flashing is on until 6 February at the Market Theatre's main stage in Newtown. Tickets for the 8 pm shows are R56.50 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, R66.50 on Wednesdays, R109.00 on Fridays and Saturdays and R88.00 on Sundays at 3 pm. For more information, contact the Market Theatre publicity department on 011 832 1641.
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