Itsoseng is a one-man show, written and performed by Omphile Molusi. It tells the story of the economic and social collapse of the rural township of Itsoseng in South Africa. The story covers 1993 to the present, effectively from the riots that preceded the establishment of the Nelson Mandela government, through to the total collapse - for this community - of the post-apartheid dream. There isn't any doubting the commitment, energy or verve of Omphile Molusi. He puts everything into his performance and displays a lot of talent as he variously sings, dances and drums as his evolving tale demands.

The play begins as the central character is on his way to a funeral, and he drags his tin box with his possessions onto the stage. It emerges that it is the funeral of his childhood sweetheart, Dolly, whose personal tragedy leads her to become a prostitute, and to die, presumably of Aids. Ironically, it is the township's inhabitants who precipitate their own downfall, burning down their shopping centre as part of the wave of violence that preceded Nelson Mandela's establishment as president. This single act ends the life of the township of Itsoseng, as it also ends the character's romance, and it ends Dolly's life.

Omphile Molusi performs his own script with huge energy and it’s not possible to fault his performance. But it is possible to fault the script which, though heartfelt, sometimes seems a little flabby and self-indulgent. For the show to work on a higher plane than simply a personal tragedy, it has to lift itself into a symbolic domain, and this it never does. The tragedy remains personal. The political crisis remains that of one township. How much this drama reflects the tragedy of South Africa or the continent as a whole, and the gigantic haemorrhage of energy there, is open to question.

Itsoseng is a prayer for normal life - for a job, a little money, the pleasure of shopping, family life - in a time when none of these are possible. Sadly, it doesn't raise itself above those limited horizons, despite Dolly's personal tragedy or the pervasive sense of hopelessness. This is a Fringe First award-winning production, but the magnetic personality of the performer doesn't quite overcome the limitations of the script.

Cast Credits: Performer - Omphile Molusi.

Company Credits: Writer - Omphile Molusi. Director - Tina Johnson. Technical Operator - uncredited. Press - Martin Shippen. Associate Producer - John Warboys. Producer - uncredited. Company - uncredited.

END

(c) Michael Spring 2008

reviewed Monday, 9 September 2008 / Soho Theatre Studio, London

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com