Kunene and the King
A powerful examination of Shakespeare and post-apartheid South Africa.
Kunene and the King at Shakespeare Theatre Company might only be a very sad story, but with humor and discovery, it is also very uplifting.
It is about liberation, of a country and of individuals. It is written and performed by Tony-winner John Kani (Black Panther, The Island, Sizwe Banzi is Dead); and Edward Gero (The Lehman Trilogy). It is directed superbly by Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
The play opens with the incredibly talented singer, Ntebo. Her voice resonates throughout the theater, and listening to her, you know you are in for a special night in the theater.
The play is about a celebrated white classical actor, Jack, being told he has just been given a career-defining role as King Lear; at the same time, he is given a death sentence with a diagnosis of stage 4 liver cancer. It takes place in South Africa, twenty five years after the end of apartheid. The interaction between the white actor, Jack Morris (Edward Gero) who is brilliant in this role, and his Black nurse, Lunga Kunene (John Kani) who brings to the role all the deep feelings that obviously went into his writing it, now charged with his care, is riveting. Both actors are incredibly talented, and manage to convey the strains between Black and White, even twenty five years after apartheid has ended. The lingering anger in the Black community, and fear and lack of understanding in the white community, are what this play is about. The liberating of their pre-conceived notions of each other, as the play progresses. One forgets, while watching the interaction of these two, that John Kani is also the writer of this brilliant play. As Jack confronts his mortality the two men are brought together by accident, as Lunga has been randomly assigned to be his nurse by an agency. Jack’s reaction to having a Black nurse begins the action of the play. Together they discover the unifying power of Shakespeare. As Jack gets sicker, they both look into their own feelings in more depth. They do this with enough humor to keep the audience often laughing, even when the premise is so serious.
The creative team has done a superb job. The sets by Scenic Designer, Lawrence E. Moten III, are great. The Costume Designer, Karen Perry, has done a great job. The highlight of that is the costumes for Ntebo. Also important to this production are Lighting Designer, Rui Rita, and Sound Designer, DJ Potts.
Kunene and the King will be at the Michael Klein Theater through March 23rd. Tickets can be purchased online. This is one play not to be missed.
