Menstukke, directly translated: Human pieces, is an Afrikaans two-hander political satire about a brother and a sister who has lived in a flat in Sunnyside all their life without ever going into the outside world. They lived there with their mother, who took care of them and instilled fear for the outside world into their hearts. Their mother was the one who would go out to buy food and would return with stories of protests, white genocide, land grabs and prostitution, persuading them to never go out because the outside world is dangerous. These dangerous claims are confirmed by newspaper headlines in the trash outside their flat, which Sister reads with binoculars from their flat window. This story takes place in this room where they grew up, and where circumstances may force them to leave their safe house. Watch as they prepare to face the scary outside world – a world which they may never get to know because of their ignorance. 

*Part of the SA Theatre Village pre National Arts Festival Preview Season:

The South African Theatre Village is a collective of 12 artists who intend on taking 6 shows to this years 2018 National Arts Festival Fringe program. Included in their line-up is a second run of Human Pieces II, which won a Silver Standard bank ovation award at last years festival. All 6 shows will be previewed in various theaters in Gauteng, which includes the PopArt theatre. Four of these productions will be previewed on the 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th of June (one night per show) 

Audience Responses

Was sad that this solid piece being performed for only a few people. What can be done to lure more Afrikaans speaking theatregoers to this cozy little theatre to support upcoming artists?

Actors need to pushed by the director a lot more. The script can develop in terms of the narrative.