THEATRE: Di Mannie
WHAT is the very best treatment that can be given to someone suffering from Aids or terminal cancer? Without a doubt, it is the support and concern of a loving family. This is the message that shines through loud and clear in the tender, humorous Moira Blumenthal production of Two Weeks with the Queen, currently at the Alexander Theatre in Johannesburg.
The plot centres on an Australian family whose lives are suddenly turned inside out when blood tests reveal that the youngest son, Luke, is suffering from terminal cancer. The older son, Colin, is sent away to London until “things” are over.
Here he succeeds in causing a total upheaval in his English family’s well-ordered lives in his imaginative attempts to secure an audience with the Queen. Colin has convinced himself that the Queen’s doctor must be the very best in the world, and he believes this doctor can cure his brother.
His endeavours cause his wimpy cousin Alistair to find a courage he never dreamed he had, much to his parents’ amazement.
Colin comes to the realisation that help does not lie in Buckingham Palace, and he visits a hospital to find a doctor himself. Here he meets Ted, who is visiting his friend Griff. Griff is in the final stages of Aids. Together Colin and Ted support each other in coping with the situation.
Although dealing with serious issues, Two Weeks with the Queen is not sad. The gentle humour throughout was appreciated by audience members of all ages. Society’s difficulty in knowing how to behave when dealing with illness is emphasised by the tongue-in-cheek references to how adults will not say “that word” (cancer), but prefer to sweep such awkward issues under the carpet using the term “things”.
There was also a great deal of laughter at the rigid routines of the typical English family.
The versatile cast included Damon Herriman, Arky Michael (both of whom played the roles of little boys most impressively), Gilda Blacher, Charlotte Butler, Craig Freimond and Greg Melville-Smith. Each of them played a number of roles, using different accents to portray different characters. So believable were they that my eight-year-old escort did not realise Alistair and Luke were played by the same actor.
The musical talents of Lisa Kenna on the grand piano added the finishing touches and served as a clever link in the unfolding of the story.
The stage was open, with scene changes being made under dim lights in full view of the audience. Even this was cleverly used to add to the humour as the silhouetted, pot-bellied, ET-necked posture of the unfortunate Alistair constantly brought forth gales of laughter.
The backdrop took the form of a large book with pages that changed indicating where the action was taking place.
Two Weeks with the Queen lasts for just over two hours and its tasteful handling of serious, current problems makes it a “comedy” well worth seeing.
Two Weeks with the Queen is at the Alexander Theatre until May 20; it moves to the Drama at the State Theatre, Pretoria, from May 26 to June 17
BUSINESS
SA’s future looks bright
Labour and business agree on several key issues — but important differences remain. Reg Rumney reports
Despite important and expected differences, business and labour are like a nest of singing birds on key issues, a survey of both groups shows.
Ninety percent of those polled believe “the country is heading in the right direction”.
The survey was done by the Community Agency for Social Enquiry (Case) for the Weekly Mail & Guardian, the South African Chamber of Business (Sacob), and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
The most fervent hope of both business and labour is for national prosperity where democracy, peace and a high standard of living reach the entire population. The similarity in outlook is most obvious when looking at the “broader picture”.
Take crime and violence. Thirty-nine percent of business respondents believe the top priority for the government is combating crime and general instability: unions feel the highest priority should be creating a common vision and instilling trust in the Government of National Unity (GNU). And while unions give greater priority than business to jobs for all, both union and business leaders fear the escalation of violence and racial conflict as a great threat to South Africa’s positive development.
“Despite their differences of opinion on the question of violence and personal safety, unions’ greatest fears were much the same as business’: that violence, crime and political instability would escalate (37 percent) and that the GNU and all its ideals would disintegrate (20 percent).
“Unionists’ most fervent hopes were again the same as business’. A hope for national prosperity for all (44 percent) was followed by a hope for South Africa to become a thriving modern economy able to compete internationally (11 percent). That South Africa becomes a ‘number one example’, and,’the strongest state in Africa’, were sentiments frequently encountered,” says Case.
Both labour and business think the economic upturn is sustainable.
Both are in favour of a quota of contracts being given to small businesses and would like to see the government giving small businesses financial support and incentives.
Business and labour agree on certain fundamental issues, such as affirmative action being seen as firmly entrenched for all disadvantaged groups — though black business people and unionists are more sceptical about its effects than whites.
Both groups agree that the Reconstruction and Development Programme must be realised through responsible government, and in this way increase local confidence, investment and economic growth.
Both groups strongly support an increased focus on small business and ways to help initiate it as a powerful force in creating employment.
Negotiation is seen to be an important element in the workplace despite some union reservation about workplace forums undermining their own power.
Unions and businesses are aware of the importance of educating their respective members about the upcoming local elections.
Most unions (71 percent), like businesses (71 percent), have implemented some kind of voter registration programme for the local elections. Most union respondents (87 percent) have already registered themselves, as have business leaders (77 percent).
“President Mandela is clearly seen as a unique individual whose leadership qualities, statesmanship and integrity set a lead in the reconciliation of all South Africans. He is a unifying force that cuts across race, gender and class,” notes Case.
Business and labour similarly see the National Economic, Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) as an effective negotiating forum for all sectors. But 25 percent of unionists and 30 percent of business people polled are “unsure”, indicating the need for evidence of Nedlac’s efficacy.
Unionists endorse the idea that corruption in all sectors is on the increase (51 percent). Fifty-three percent of business respondents thought so too. Women unionists felt that the increase was only owing to the fact that corruption was now brought out in the open for everyone to see.
Union respondents were, predictably, more concerned about matters of redistribution and equity, such as the effect on the poor of higher VAT.
Union and business leaders are dramatically opposed on the issue of redistribution. Where 58 percent of business people believe the government has done enough on redistribution, 56 percent of unionists are not satisfied with the government’s efforts.
Unlike business respondents, 75 percent of whom think scrapping exchange control is a good idea, most unionists are opposed to the idea (56 percent against). Women unionists are especially opposed at 86 percent.
And where business overwhelmingly supports the privatisation of state corporations, almost half of the unionists polled oppose this.
Another key difference was the attitude to management salaries. Sixty-nine percent of business respondents naturally believe management salary increases should not be held back to reduce pay differentials, 67 percent of unionists, not unexpectedly, think they should be.
“Conversely, where half of business leaders felt unions should hold back wage demands to allow increased employment, 87 percent of union leaders disagreed,” said Case.
There was a 60 percent overall union vote for workplace forums, as opposed to 75 percent in the business sector.
More unionists are “unsure” mainly due to the belief these forums will undermine union and shop steward power.