PICTURES: Nardus Engelbrecht
DIANE DE BEER reviews
TIEN DUISEND TON
Translated and adapted into Afrikaans from Duncan MacMillan’s Lungs by director Nico Scheepers
CAST: Cintaine Schutte and Albert Pretorius
VENUE: Mannie Manim at the Market
DATES: Until February 5 (Tuesday – Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 3pm)
It’s almost dizzying to keep up with the minds and meanderings of a young couple who start their conversation about having a child while shopping in Makro.
“Did you have to do it here?” asks the woman, who is obviously flustered by what she considers to be a full catastrophe, which has just been dropped into her world by her partner.
He on the other hand, calm and mostly collected, or probably simply laid-back, was making conversation.
But at breakneck speed they’re off, because having a baby when you’re dealing with two people who are also thinking about the world and their impact in and on it, clearly is no easy route to navigate.
And that’s precisely where the title slips into the equation. But between these two, it’s all about their conversation, the way they view the world and the way they present it to one another. He has an upfront approach, no frills, simply stated, almost matter of fact, whether its about his new corporate job, which boots him into adult life for the first time, or whether he should go for a run.
For her, it’s jump right in, talk before think and loudly put out every crazy thought that might pop into her head. Usually it’s those ideas that most people have, but never say for others to hear, while she just lets it all out and only when seeing the reaction, tries to smooth things over.
For her, it’s fine letting him know that she hates his parents. Doesn’t he? But when he talks about hers, she’s completely taken aback.
It’s a snapshot of the life of two human beings with similar hopes and dreams, yet no matter what the intent, their way of getting there is vastly different.
We all know love should be enough, but relationships are messy animals that have to be trained and exercised and even then, it’s a miracle if things work out.
What the playwright has done in the writing is set the tone for the piece as he jumps smartly with timelines while unfolding these lives. With director Scheepers perfectly picking up the pace, which is what really determines the ebb and flow of the piece, it’s an exhilarating experience for both players and audience.
Schutte is mesmerising in a magnetic performance that never lags and is constantly overwhelming in its intensity and innovative execution. She laughs, smiles, screams and cries in the matter of moments, because her world is driven by fiery emotions. Every arch of her eyes, sudden movement, a silence that is brought on unexpectedly, is carefully thought through and choreographed.
She has made the part her own and draws you into a life that is familiar but rarely plays out so publicly. Hers is the role of a lifetime and she’s embraced it with her whole being, magnificently.
But she needs Pretorius’s more gentle approach, his character’s humour and frailty, as the foil to her more explosive character for the whole to coalesce, which it does brilliantly.
It’s joyous and sad, witty yet wise, in your face yet delightfully wistful seemingly all at once and without labouring any points or pushing any agendas. It bears witness to two lives which have bumped into one another and are pushing for a conclusion which will make sense and hopefully bring happiness to the two souls so desperately trying to make things work.
It will make your head spin – delightfully!
De Beer Necessities 
A show not to be missed for its excellence all round. From the play to the direction and the outstanding performances. Please friends and family of young couples take them or urge them to see this play which raises so many questions for young couples.