Actors navigate conflict with nuance

THIS bilingual gem from the pen of Ingrid Howard has the power to touch and engross its audience from start to finish. Its scenario is elegantly simple: twenty years after the Anglo-Boer war, two men from opposing sides of that conflict meet and navigate a variety of painful issues to arrive at a mutual understanding that borders on affection. Each becomes a soundboard for the other, hence the title Resonant.

The impact of this work owes much to finely nuanced portrayals from its protagonists: David Clatworthy as Sir Ian Hamilton and Richard van der Westhuizen as Christiaan Barend Maree.

Sir Ian plays unwilling host to Maree, whose visit is prompted by a promise made 20 years previously. Neither is comfortable in this confrontation; Clatworthy’s defensive, edgy bonhomie is played off against van der Westhuizen’s barelycontained hostility before, under the warming influence of whisky and song, the pair begin to penetrate successive layers of selfdefence and realise the unsuspected extent of their shared humanity.

It turns out both are proficient vocalists – an added pleasure for the audience as Sarie Marais answers Goodbye, Dolly Gray.

In the background is a bizarrely-clad pianist (Lucas Heinen) who also features as Pawn Master (Hamilton and Maree are after all nothing more than human pawns in the insanity of war) – a sinister, if muted, presence throughout.

Chris van Niekerk’s impeccable direction, a set meticulously recreating the period’s ambience, evocative sound effects and lighting by Hano Smit, and sustained intensity from the actors, come together to splendid effect.

A captivating way to celebrate Heritage Month.