Gym setting a unique shape for enthralling theatre

REVIEWED BY PETER FELDMAN

Show: Shape

Cast: Craig Hawks, Camilla Waldman, Nyaniso Dzedze and Zimkitha Kumbaca

Director: Greg Homann

Venue: Auto & General Theatre on the Square (until April 16)

It is written by husband-and-wife team Steven Boykey Sidley and Kate Sidley who have established themselves over the years in the literary field, with books and countless newspaper and magazine columns to their collective credit. This is their first excursion into theatre – and it is a lively and perceptive exercise.

The lead actress is Camilla Waldman, who has made a sterling contribution to the arts over the years and is returning to the stage after a hiatus of seven years. She is wonderful.

The fourth contributor to the Jewish team is award-winning producer Daphne Kuhn, whose productions at her Sandton theatre have this year been honoured with no fewer than 22 Naledi Theatre Award nominations.

“Shape” is a play that blends commentary and satire in equal measure. It is set in an upmarket Sandton gym where sweaty souls go for various reasons, whether to meet slinky “birds” or to simply keep fit and retain their sanity in the process.

The three characters we meet all reveal something about themselves over a short period of time as they furiously pedal away on their bicycles that go nowhere.

Stewart (Craig Hawks) is an advertising type who seems to be fanatical about staying healthy and developing his body and mind. He sweats through the routines and seems to be straining every muscle, while listening to music on his headphones. He also takes time to chat to a more mature member of the gym, the waspy, straight-talking Stella (Camilla Waldman), a divorcee, who has had some cosmetic work done to her face and is determined to keep her life on the move.

A third character is Vusi (Nyaniso Dzedze), the seemingly arrogant and confident personal trainer who struts around the gym like a proud peacock, offering sage advice to those who have the time to listen.

Adding to the proceedings is an intrusive and unsettling element; an “invisible” entity called the “loudspeaker” (Zimmkitha Kumbaca), who serves as the voice of conscience. She sits in the audience and barks out her commentary.

The sharply etched performances are welded together under the adroit direction of veteran Greg Homann who brings out the facets of commentary and comedy. 

The intellectual mix touches on vanity, politics, race, sex and social standing with enough meat on the bone to stimulate conversation about where South African society, with all its ills, stands today.

The set reflects a modern gym with spanking new equipment ready to be used, and observing the players go through their routines, may trigger a response in certain circles to get up and get fit.