Press: Tony, Olivier and Pulitzer prize-winning play CLYBOURNE PARK for the Fugard Theatre

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play (2012), Olivier Award for Best New Play (2011) and Pulitzer Drama Prize (2011) Bruce Norris’ acclaimed black (and white) comedy Clybourne Park is set to have its South African premiere at the Fugard Theatre this year. The production will be directed by Greg Karvellas (Bad Jews). Set design is by Saul Radomsky (Shadows of the Hummingbird, Orpheus in Africa) and Costume design is by Birrie Le Roux (West Side Story, Orpheus in Africa).

Eric Abraham - a producer of play in the West End - presents this Fugard Theatre production, which runs from 16 August until 1 October 2016.

Scathingly funny and uncomfortably honest, Bruce Norris’ hilarious script explores the fault line between race and property.

It’s 1959 and Russ and Bev are selling their desirable two-bedroom Chicago Bungalow in Clybourne Park which enables the first black family to move into the neighbourhood, creating ripples of discontent amongst the cosy white suburbanites of Clybourne Park.

Fast forward to 2009, the same property is being bought by a young white couple, Lindsey and Steve, whose plan to raze and redevelop the house stirs similar echoes of unhappiness in the now all black community.

The all South African cast includes Andrew Buckland (Tobacco, and the Harmful Effects Thereof); Susan Danford (Broken Glass, Missing…); Lesoko Seabe (Siembamba); Scott Sparrow (Strangers On A Train); Nicholas Pauling (The Pervert Laura, A Steady Rain), Pope Jerrod (Othello) and Claire-Louise Worby (Court.).

The play has received universal praise, including “Outrageously funny and provocative. A firecracker of a play… five stars” (Daily Telegraph, UK); “Deliciously offensive” (The Guardian, UK); “Superb, elegantly written and hilarious. A master class in comic writing and playing…” (The New Yorker); “Critic's Pick: A spiky and damningly insightful new comedy." (The New York Times); ‘Genius.’ (The Times, UK) and, ‘Norris’s play nails the thorny subject of race relations with a bilious zest that takes one’s breath away.’ (The Guardian, UK).

Clybourne Park is an inspired response to Lorraine Hansberry’s renowned play, A Raisin in the Sun, with that play’s protagonists, The Youngers, as the young black family moving to Clybourne Park.

“Clybourne Park is a milestone play that examines our sense of otherness and issues such as the language we use with each other, gentrification, heritage and community, in an unapologetically searing but bitingly witty manner,” says Eric Abraham, (Founding Producer and Owner of the Fugard Theatre). “These are conversations that are pertinent to South Africans, and we are thrilled to be presenting the South African premiere of this Pulitzer, Tony and Olivier Award-winning play at The Fugard Theatre.”

Clybourne Park will run at The Fugard Theatre, from 16 August until 1 October 2016 Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm. The Fugard Theatre is situated in the heart of District Six, on the corner of Harrington and Caledon Streets, Cape Town.

Tickets, ranging from R120 to R240 are now available and can be booked through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. Bookings can also be made at the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554. There is a generous 15% discount available for the Friends of The Fugard members.

Harrington Street car park is located at the corner of Caledon and Harrington streets and is available for the use of theatre patrons. Visit thecosy ground-floor bar, which opens two hours before all scheduled show times and stays open until last rounds are called… often as late as 1am. And if the weather is fine the bar on the fantastic rooftop terrace is opened, with its panoramic views of the city. Both bars offer a range of wines from some of the Cape’s top estates.