Touch My Blood, which premiered today at the Rhodes Theatre, is a very literal adaption of Fred Khumalo’s novel of the same name.

There’s a lot of narration, presumably lifted verbatim from the novel (I presume–I haven’t managed to read the book yet), and what we see on stage amounts to an illustration of Khumalo’s fascinating and entertaining story of growing up in the township of Hammarsdale outside Durban during the mad and hectic ‘80s.

I don’t know how far Khumalo’s autobiography goes, but the play comes to an end when Khumalo left on a fellowship to Canada in 1991.

The set is well designed, the actors capable, the township milieu well told, and the narrative – obviously strong and entertaining – held interest throughout.

Yet I can’t help but feel that as a play it was lacking. If you’re gonna translate the book directly I’d say you’re better off making a movie. I was looking for something more theatrical.

Kudos to the actors who I don’t think had much to work with, yet managed to produce a performance that could easily have ended up being similar to plays done by the sadly now defunct CAP students’ translations of the Drum-era writers.

The acting highlight was the portrayal of the cynical and disillusioned writer Mafika Gwala, who subjects young wannabe writer Fred Khumalo to his foul and merciless tongue – an interview the schoolboy Khumalo passes with flying colours.

If nothing else, this play strengthened my resolve to get my hands on that book.

Touch My Blood was adapted for the stage by James Ngcobo, and stars Zesuliwe Hadebe, Lesedi Job, Hlengiwe Lushaba, Mothusi Magano, Bheki Mkhwane, Andile Mngadi, Lunga Radebe and Lebo Toko.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Related posts