FRUIT

4.18 (11)

FRUIT

8 performances between March 31, 2016 and Aug. 13, 2017
Theatre
Written and Directed by Paul Noko. Performed by Matshediso Mokoteli.
60mins
* WINNER : Best Production at the Baxter Zabalaza Play Festival in 2015

"Fruit follows the fraught life of a young girl from early childhood through to her formative years. Her experiences are commonplace in a country ravished by violence, and without any sentimentality she exposes her life and the lives of others to the audience.

The 14-year-old Matlakala lives in a community in Soweto. Her world and life are bound by the Nascrec Road and the road leading to Potchefstroom. A slip of a girl dressed in a floral sun dress, she sits on the stage playing with her companion – a large white plastic doll similarly dressed in a floral dress. Seemingly oblivious to the audience as they take their seats she talks with and scolds her doll. Once the house lights are dimmed she begins to create a world which will steal your heart" - Tracey Saunders

With paucity of means and outstanding inventiveness, this one-hander about the quest for lost innocence represents a theatrical tour de force … packed with emotion, some humour, and much to provoke thought long after exiting the theatre.’ Beverly Brommert, Cape Argus

'Matshediso Mokoteli in Fruit. An enchanting raconteuse, a doll, some stones, and a compelling script… no wonder Paul Noko’s Fruit has emerged as winner of the 2015 Best of Zabalaza Theatre Festival...A bland-faced doll named Lucy is the confidante to whom she imparts the experiences she has undergone growing up in Diepkloof, with the audience a secondary recipient of her revelations. Much of her extended monologue’s charm is due to its unexpected blend of naivety and uncompromising realism' -Grace Gouvias 

‘Powerful Fruit hits home hard … The whole piece is a wonder. It’s playful, heart-wrenching, elegiac, wry and funny in parts.’ – Robyn Cohen, Weekend Argus

’This play is awesome in all respects … technically proficient, well conceptualised, beautifully written and directed.’ – The Sowetan

‘With the writing and direction of Paul Noko, we were transported to an empty land, filled with broken people where nothing but hope survives … This piece of South African theatre is the kind of theatre I want my children to see. This is the kind of theatre of which we can be truly proud.’ – Thola Antamu, What’s On in Cape Town

'There are no bright lights or busy sets, but rest assured, this will be one of the most vivid and compelling productions you will see this year’ – Tracey Saunders, Cape Times 


Audience Responses

I am normally not a fan of politically correct themes in drama. But this a deeply moving experience that will stay with me for a long time. Excellent acting, a convincing story well delivered. Thank you! Niko

Niko • Attended Aug. 10, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

I got lost with some of the language, but the show spoke beyond the barriers of language. Please consider extending the shows run at POPArt. I have recommended it to people but unfortunately it's finished. Awesome South African theatre.

Jamil • Attended April 2, 2016, 8 p.m.
4.0

I think this piece has great potential. Personally I think there could have been stronger directing of this powerful piece. I found the pace and tone to remain fairly constantly up until the end. Variation of tone could break some of the monotony of the piece. I would have also made reasons for certain choices more obvious or used them more sparingly to have greater impact, for instance the way she made a "q" sound throughout the play. It could have been used less to emphasis particular things. And the way she twirled her dress, also could have been done less and at certain moments? It would be interesting to explore some of the character a bit deeper. I enjoyed the use of props and the characters were quite distinct. I hope this is useful feedback..

Louise • Attended Aug. 11, 2017, 8 p.m.
2.0

Performance was superb. Just such a pity that one cannot see unless one sits in the front row. Thank you

Michele • Attended April 3, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
4.0

Only the front row could see all the action when the acress was kneeling on the floor. The rest of us were bobbing up and down trying to see around the people in front. Maybe for any similar shows the stage could be raised somehow.

Lesley • Attended April 3, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
4.0

I think the actress is very good and we were able to get the very real but tough emotional message. Good story. Sorry I could not understand all of the words that other found so funny but the story was related. Sometimes felt left out because I am not a South African - but I think some of the essence would have been lost without the local language. Thank-you.

Ann-Marie • Attended April 3, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
4.0

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Wilhelm • Attended April 1, 2016, 8 p.m.
5.0

Powerful gut-wrenching. Excellent theatre. Great production. And although there were so few people in the audience, Matshediso Mokoteli managed to completely hold us all. A great feat- well done. Thanks as always.