I See You

Overview

Mongiwekhaya’s I See You, directed by Noma Dumezweni) played at the Fugard Studio Theatre from the 6th of May 2016. Before transferring to the Fugard, this utterly gripping production played at the Market Theatre in Joburg after a sold-out world premiere season at the Royal Court in London.

It’s post-Apartheid South Africa, after dark. ‘Speak to me in your mother tongue, and I will let you go.’ Ben meets Skinn for a night out. But the party is interrupted by the police. Ben, a young student who doesn’t know his history, is accused of a crime he didn`t commit. Officer Buthelezi, a former freedom fighter, can’t let it go. “I don’t need your sorries, white boy. Yes, you heard right. Do you know white people think we’re the same? We both look black. But only one of us is black.”

Details

First performance
6 May 2016

Final performance
28 May 2016

Venue
The Fugard Studio

Cast

Skinn
Jordan Baker

Buthelezi
Desmond Dube

Ben
Bayo Gbadamosi

James
Austin Hardiman

Masinga
Sibusiso Mamba

DJ Mavovo/Dr Pravesh
Kim Sanssoucie

Shabangu
Lunga Radebe

Creative team

Writer
Mongiwekhaya

Director
Noma Dumezweni

Designer
Soutra Gilmour

Lighting Designer
Richard Howell

Composer and Sound Designer
Giles Thomas

Movement Director
Luyanda Sidiya

Casting Director
Amy Ball

Assistant Director
John Haidar

International Director
Elyse Dodgson

Associate Director (International)
Richard Twyman

International Assistant
Sarah Murray

Production team

Production Manager
Bernd Fauler

Voice & Dialect Coach
Zabarjad Salam

Fight Director
Bret Yount

Costume Supervisor
Chris Cahill

UK Stage Managers
Julia Slienger
Dan Gammon

SA Stage Managers
Shayna Gleave
Ulibo Maake

Set Construction
Illusion, Design and Construct Ltd.
Scene Visual Productions
CHG Engineering
Gerhard Morkel

Scenic Art
James Rowse
Nadine Minaar
Ash Zamisa

Publicity (CT)
Christine Skinner

Photography (UK)
Johan Persson

Photography (CT)
Daniel Rutland Manners

Reviews

★★★★
“The piece is infused with the mounting tension of a thriller. The ensemble cast is impressive.”

Evening Standard

★★★★
“A gripping, troubling evening … Desmond Dube is magnificent as Buthelezi, helping us understand both the ugliness and the anguish of this damaged man. He’s matched by Bayo Gbadamosi’s lithe Ben, a nice combination of naivety and cockiness.”

Financial Times

★★★★
“A sure-footed, intelligent and gripping production.”

Financial Times

“Provocative, radical, ambitious and hugely absorbing.”

The South African

“Playwright Mongiwekhaya’s post-apartheid tale of erased histories and frustrated dreams is beautifully acted and grips like a thriller.”

The Guardian