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The continuous
conflict between Jews, Christians and Muslims is explored in Brothers in Blood in an attempt to help dissolve
boundaries between people.
I DON'T believe in God - Dr Brian Cohen
breaks the silence with a soliloquy to start Brothers in Blood, now on at the
Market Theatre.
Reflections: Brian Cohen (Murray Todd) and Abubaker Abrahams (David Dennis) in Brothers in Blood
Cohen, played by Murray Todd, whom many may
remember for his character in Generations, goes on to talk about the warped relations
between people of different religions, setting the tone for the play.
Brothers in Blood, set in Cape Town in 1999 during the reign of People against
Gangsterism and Drugs (Pagad), tackles problems that people face as a result of
their religious beliefs - here Jewish, Muslim and Christian - as well as the
scourge of crime. The effects of apartheid are also dissected.
The cast consists of five well-known actors
who all have to deal with issues connected to their religion and how they live
their beliefs. Reverend Fredericks, played by Dale Abrahams, who has starred in
a number of local television productions, including Generations, plays a
clergyman who puts nothing before his Christian beliefs.
Leila Abrahams, a young Muslim woman played
by the prolific Kim Cloete, is gobsmacked by the reverend's portrayal of his
religion, especially how he always talks concretely about what God has told
him. A series of heated conversations between Leila and Fredericks explores how
skewed people's understanding of their beliefs can be.
Leila has problems of her own,
connected to societal issues about religion and her position as a woman who
wants to achieve career success. The biggest of her problems emanate from her
love relationship with a Somali refugee, Fadiel Suleiman, played by Karabo
Kgokong, a stage actor of note who has performed in numerous plays at the State
Theatre in Pretoria.
The boiling point of the play is achieved
in an emotionally charged argument between the troubled Suleiman and Cohen. All
the characters become frantic at this point, which also signifies the
interconnection of all people in society.
Kgokong portrays Suleiman with convincing
style, and could pass as a real Somali. The actor, from Mafikeng,
is adept at the difficult Somali accent and displays tranquil yet easily
angered mannerisms with ease.
Catalyst: Abubaker Abrahams (David Dennis) and his daughter Leila (Kim Cloete) are forced to look closely at their beliefs
Abubaker Abrahams, portrayed by David
Dennis, who plays Sol in the TV series Soul City,
certainly endures actual pain in the play as Cohen throws him to the ground
during an argument over a misunderstanding. The latter has had his fair share
of grief arising from his religion.
Music and other sound effects produced by
Michael Watt add a critical element to the play. Equally vital are the video
images, the work of documentary filmmaker Liza Key, which draw the audience
into the action on stage.
The 80-minute play was written by Mike van
Graan and is directed by Greg Homann. More than anything else, the cast is able
to express the emotions of the play, keeping the audience glued to their seats,
while also enjoying the unfolding action.
Brothers in Blood makes a simple plea: for
human beings to cross religious and racial boundaries, to get to know each
other as people so that relationships based on knowledge and respect are able
to be the key defence against the tension, fear and anxiety that are birthed by
ignorance and prejudice.
Brothers in Blood is on in the Barney Simon
Theatre at the Market Theatre Complex,
56 Margaret Mcingana Street,
in Newtown
until 12 July. Shows are at 8.15pm during the week and 3.15pm on Sundays. Tickets
range from R50 to R120 each from Computicket, on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000,
or through the Computicket website .
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