Theatre / 90 min / £16(£15), £14(£13) / 14+
Showing @ Assembly Hall, until 27 Aug, 16.00
If Christ appeared on Earth tomorrow, with all the world’s conflict, whose side would the iconoclastic Jewish insurgent take? The answer would be revelatory. In the 1981 classic of South African theatre, Woza Albert!, Morena (Christ) has his Second Coming amidst the turmoil of apartheid, naturally siding with the oppressed masses. Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu and Peter Mashigo perform their roles with an incomprehensible degree of energy, singing, dancing and multi-role playing. Every character and every episode shown by the two performers is distinct, very funny and often sharply critical. The government nuking the Messiah, for his opposition to the state and consequent escape from Robben Island, is perhaps the most vitriolic comment on the lengths the oppressors will go to remain the oppressors. This is vital, relevant and highly entertaining theatre.