On a small Atlantic island is one of South Africa’s maximum security prisons for political prisoners. There, two cell mates, Winston, a lifer, and John, in for ten years, have developed strong bonds of friendship. This bond is about to be broken, for John is soon to be released. This arouses hatred, envy and loss in Winston. John’s feelings at his early release are mixed. The two have also devised a homespun version of Sophocles’ “Antigone” and its presentation as a prisoner “entertainment” is a tremendous theatrical moment. It is also a scathing, ironic and symbolic indictment by these two Black prisoners of White South Africa. This is a political play with humanism and laughter, compassionate and original.
