Coming Home
Athol Fugard’s plays almost always take place in South Africa and almost always are about the politics of their time. Originally, the subjects were about apartheid, and now they are post apartheid. He says “(my) real territory as a dramatist is the world of secrets with their powerful effect on human behavior and the trauma of their relations.” Coming Home is a sequel to his 1995 post apartheid play, Valley Song. At the end of that production, the leading lady Veronica Jonkers, left her loving Grandfather Oupa and the home where she grew up in the small farm town of Karoo, South Africa. Her dream was to go to the big city (Cape Town, South Africa) where she hoped to become a professional singer.
It is ten years later and Veronica (the lovely and talented Dierdrie Henry) returns to Karoo to make a home for her son Mannetjie, age five (adorable Timothy Taylor). Her life in the big city did not turn out as she had hoped. Though her Grandfather Oupa (skillfully played by Adolphus Ward in scenes as a ghost) has died and the small one room house (appropriately designed by Laura Fines Hawkes) is shabby, Veronica arrives with a great deal of enthusiasm for the sake of her son and begins to tell him all about her happy past. When her friend Alfred (Thomas Silcott) calls on her, they enjoy reliving the old days. But five years later, Veronica falls ill with a persistent cough, which we soon learn is not from a flu, but that she has contracted AIDS. Alfred is the only person to whom she can turn and she asks him to marry her in order to see that her son is not taken away. However, Mannetjie, (Matthew Elam) now ten years old, loathes Alfred, and because of their relationship, he refuses at first. But then Alfred does marry Veronica. As time passes and Veronica is slipping away, Alfred and Mannitjie come to terms with one another and Oupa (as a ghost) returns to reassure Mannitjie.
The entire cast, under the direction of Stephen Sachs, is super, super superb. The young boys’ performances are striking; Henry’s portrayal is genuine from her beginning enthusiasm to her emotional moments (you can see the tears in her eyes). She pulls at your heartstrings. Sillcott is perfect as Henry’s companion as is Ward performing the ghost of Oupa. Costume design is by Shon Le Blanc, lighting by Christian Epps, Composer and sound design by Peter Bayne. (By the way, Henry also has a lovely singing voice.) Coming Home continues through August 29. Highly recommended.
The Fountain Theatre
5060 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
Reservations and information: (323) 663-1525
On line: www.FountainTheatre.com