Woza Albert!
Encyclopedia
Woza Albert! is a political satire that imagines the second coming of Christ in apartheid-ridden South Africa
.
's Market Theater and toured in Europe and America as the most successful play to come out of South Africa, winning more than 20 prestigious awards worldwide. It was produced by Terence Frisby
at the Criterion Theatre
in 2003.
Woza Albert! (which means "Rise Albert") was written by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema
, and Barney Simon
in 1981. In 1983, it was performed in London by Patrick Ssenjovu
and Lucky N. Ngema. In 2002, it was performed in London by Siyabonga Twala and Errol Ndotho.
The two actors play roles of various black South Africans - a vendor, barber, servant, manual laborer, soldier - receiving the news that Christ (Morena) has arrived in South Africa, where a Calvinist white elite imposes apartheid. Christ's arrival precipitates a crisis, and the government launches a nuclear bomb against the peacemaker. In the ruins, great South African leaders in resistance to apartheid such as Albert Luthuli, assassinated president of the African National Congress, are resurrected. They play dozens of parts that involve them in using many skills - acting, mime, singing and dance. They also create images using a few words and actions.
, undertook the filming of the movie while in South Africa to film elections in 1981. Equipment was scant, as was time, but nonetheless the film captured the performances that are the core of the film.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The play
The play opened at JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
's Market Theater and toured in Europe and America as the most successful play to come out of South Africa, winning more than 20 prestigious awards worldwide. It was produced by Terence Frisby
Terence Frisby
Terence Frisby is a London-based playwright and novelist, best known as the author of the play There's A Girl In My Soup.-Personal life:...
at the Criterion Theatre
Criterion Theatre
The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has an official capacity of 588.-Building the theatre:...
in 2003.
Woza Albert! (which means "Rise Albert") was written by Percy Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema
Mbongeni Ngema
Mbongeni Ngema a South African writer, lyricist, composer and director was born in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal . He started his career as a theatre backing guitarist.He is married to actress Leleti Khumalo...
, and Barney Simon
Barney Simon
Barney Simon was a South African writer, playwright and director.- Early life :The son of working-class Lithuanian Jewish immigrants, Simon discovered a love of theatre while working under director Joan Littlewood in London in the 1950s...
in 1981. In 1983, it was performed in London by Patrick Ssenjovu
Patrick Ssenjovu
Patrick Ssenjovu is a film and theatre actor. He is additionally a film director and producer.-Early life and education:He was born in Kayunga, Uganda.-Theatre work:...
and Lucky N. Ngema. In 2002, it was performed in London by Siyabonga Twala and Errol Ndotho.
The two actors play roles of various black South Africans - a vendor, barber, servant, manual laborer, soldier - receiving the news that Christ (Morena) has arrived in South Africa, where a Calvinist white elite imposes apartheid. Christ's arrival precipitates a crisis, and the government launches a nuclear bomb against the peacemaker. In the ruins, great South African leaders in resistance to apartheid such as Albert Luthuli, assassinated president of the African National Congress, are resurrected. They play dozens of parts that involve them in using many skills - acting, mime, singing and dance. They also create images using a few words and actions.
The film
A film was made under the same title, following the success of the play. A BBC-TV team, led by David M. ThompsonDavid M. Thompson
David Marcus Thompson is a British film and television producer.Thompson moved to London in 1978, and worked for the BBC as a film programmer and documentary maker. He was the founding head of BBC Films...
, undertook the filming of the movie while in South Africa to film elections in 1981. Equipment was scant, as was time, but nonetheless the film captured the performances that are the core of the film.