THEATRE: Sifiso Maseko
AT its best Booksy, Cooksy, Doopsy at the Windybrow Theatre in Johannesburg is an elaborate orgy of uncomfortable orgasms. Few plays can claim to revolt our sense of dignity and ideals, yet find our sympathy.
The comedy that recently won the Windybrow’s annual community arts festival, it is set somewhere within the unfriendly northern surburbs of Johannesburg.
Right at the outset, its three protagonists who share a house, Booksy, Cooksy and Doopsy, are at one other’s throats, squabbling over such issues as abusive boyfriends. They hurl constant abuse in the process of “bonding” and they never let up their various ablution antics for a moment.
The problem is that while Salaelo Maredi may write forcefully, as a director he is no champion. We are subjected to an overdose of spectacle. At times, amidst the farce, all that is funny is how the ever-blinking Christmas tree on stage seems to be protesting against the gross theatrics alongside it.
The actors are the play’s strongest factor. Their astounding stage presence is evident throughout. They are totally at ease and natural on stage even when, for example, Booksy and Cooksy have to strip off their clothes.
It’s a pity really, that despite its highs, the production still leaves one over- saturated with thrills. Especially considering how elegantly the plot suggests a link between our cruel past and the behaviour of our new society.
In this regard, the work exposes the effort that needs to be ploughed into actually engaging the nation in forward mode. It shows the horrors of a quick fix at the expense of redressing the true cultural devils.
While this leaves you cold, imagining difficulties ahead, it is nonetheless a rather welcome feeling after the nausea of the lighter moments.
Booksy, Cooksy, Doopsy is on at the Windybrow Theatre until December 14
Booksy, Cooksy and Doopsy: Three comely women in an unbecoming situation in the Northern suburbs