South African Theatre and The Island

Workshop Theatre

• A theatre technique that often contrasts with traditional theatre.
• Begins with a group of performers passionate about a topic (political, social, environmental).
• Aims to educate the audience through performance.

Workshop Theatre Process

• Decide on a theme/issue/message.
• Actors use experiences, observations, or interviews to create linked episodes.
• Dialogue is created through trial and error during workshops.
• Characters are often stereotyped, representing groups rather than individuals.
• Scenes are selected, and a script is written after rehearsals.
• Improvisation may occur even during performances.

Two Forms of Workshop Theatre

• Collective: Actors work as a group without a director; more improvised.
• Directorial: A director assists actors with ideas and scriptwriting.

Characteristics of Workshop Theatre

• Non-naturalistic, musical, and physical.
• Minimal use of props, exaggerated tangible elements.
• Ironic comic perspective on society.
• Episodic structure.
• Documents personal, political, cultural, and national history.
• Group-written with various performance forms.
• Collective subject with ensemble work.
• Grotesque parody; text closely tied to performance.
• Structure influenced by oral traditions.

Intention of Workshop Theatre

• Didactic: Aims to teach or instruct.
• Open-ended plays that allow audience interpretation.
• Develop awareness of prejudice, pride, and harmony.
• Voice thoughts and feelings.

Staging of Workshop Theatre

• No formal set or staging; performable in any venue.
• Accessible to all people with skilled, versatile performers.
• Close actor/audience relationship.

Relevance During Apartheid

• It was a tool. Because it accurately mirrored South African life.
• Facilitated information sharing across racial lines.
• Enabled authentic storytelling from personal experiences.

Advantages of Workshop Productions

• Included actors regardless of literacy; focused on performance and message.
• Created a democratic environment for sharing diverse experiences.
• Strong physical element overcame language barriers.
• Absence of a script helped avoid censorship.

The Island: Plot Summary

• Incarcerated cellmates John and Winston perform Sophocles’ Antigone.
• John learns his sentence is reduced, causing Winston emotional distress.
• The play mirrors their situation: defiance against unjust authority.

Characters

• John: In prison for protesting against apartheid; sentence commuted.
• Winston: Imprisoned for burning his passbook; questions his actions.
• Prison Governor: Delivers news of John's release.
• Hodoshe: A symbolic character representing the brutality of the regime.

Themes

• Apartheid: Racial segregation and its impact.
• Political Oppression: Suppression of dissent and freedom of speech.
• Conscience and Guilt: Moral choices in the face of injustice.
• Shared Experience and Brotherhood: Bonding through hardship.

Symbols, Motifs, and Allegory

• The Island: Represents Robben Island and its harsh conditions.
• Sophocles' Play: Mirrors the characters' defiance and punishment.
• Hodoshe: Symbolizes the oppressive regime.
• Winston Burning Passbook: Represents defiance against apartheid.
• Memories: The importance of memories as a motif.