A Human Being Died That Night is based on Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madizikela‘s Alan Paton award-winning best-selling book of the same name and explores, through her extraordinary prison interviews with de Kock, how a fundamentally moral person could become a mass murderer.
You will be mesmerised by the intensity of the interaction and the emotional complexities unleashed and explored.
The play was first produced by Eric Abraham at The Hampstead Downstairs, London in May 2013 and ran for a sold out 5 week season. It was an “underground” workshop run without press or critics. Social media comments from those who saw it were sensational and overwhelming. A Human Being Died That Night is directed by Jonathan Munby (UK). Greg Karvellas (SA) is the SA Associated Director.
1997. Pretoria Central Prison, South Africa. Psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela prepares to sit opposite the apartheid regime’s most notorious assassin, Eugene de Kock nicknamed “Prime Evil”– the head of the apartheid regime’s death squads. A member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Madizikela questions de Kock who is serving a 212 year sentence for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud. She is determined to try to understand what motivated de Kock’s actions.
How did de Kock become one of the most reviled figures in apartheid and indeed world history? Is Pumla able to overcome her disgust and hate for this monster and find the human within? And will de Kock be prepared to open up and tell an educated black woman the truth? Or is he seeing her as someone who can help his campaign for a presidential pardon? She finally questions his continued imprisonment. This is a thought provoking journey that is magnificently realised.
South African born Nicholas Wright is one of Britain’s foremost playwrights who has regularly written for the National Theatre. His plays include Vincent in Brixton (Laurence Olivier Award for Best new Play 2003), The Reporter (2007), The Last Duchess (The Hampstead Theatre 2011) and Travelling Light (2012).
Noma Dumezweni is a highly regarded Swazi born British stage, film and tv actress who won the Laurence Olivier Award for her supporting role in Lorraine Hansberry’s Raisin in the Sun (Young Vic and Lyric Theatre).
Matthew Marsh is one of Britain’s foremost actors with credits that range from The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep to the hit BBC TV series Spooks.
Director Jonathan Munby‘s last production at the Fugard Theatre was Caryl Churchill’s A Number with father and son British theatre stars Tim and Sam West.
WHERE: Fugard Studio, Caledon Street, District 6, Cape Town 8000
WHEN: until 15 March 2014
TICKETS: Computicket.com ranging from R120 to R160 can also be purchased through the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554
021 461 4554. Friends of the Fugard continue to receive excellent discounts when booking through the box office. The production is not suitable for children younger than 14.
