Woza Albert!
Woza Albert!

Movie spotlight

Woza Albert!

1982
Movie
50 min
English

In this backstage documentary produced for the television program Everyman, Percy Mtwa and Mbongeni Ngema discuss how they came to create their play Woza Albert!. The commentary is intercut with sketches from the play and footage of the locations and events on which the play is based.

Insights

Director: Distributed by: Mbongeni Ngema, Percy Mtwa, and Barney SimonGenres: Comedy, Drama, Political Satire

Plot Summary

Woza Albert! is a powerful and satirical South African play that imagines the second coming of Jesus Christ to apartheid-era Johannesburg. The play humorously and poignantly explores the absurdity and brutality of apartheid through the eyes of two black South African workers. They grapple with the implications of Christ's return in a land dominated by racial segregation and injustice.

Critical Reception

Woza Albert! was highly acclaimed for its innovative theatrical style, its potent political commentary, and the raw energy of its performances. It became a significant work of protest theatre during the apartheid era, resonating with audiences both in South Africa and internationally.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its incisive satire and biting social commentary on apartheid.

  • Celebrated for its innovative and energetic physical theatre style.

  • Recognized as a crucial piece of protest art from South Africa.

Google audience: As a theatrical production rather than a film, specific Google user reviews are not readily available. However, its historical impact and critical reception suggest it was overwhelmingly appreciated for its artistic merit and political courage.

Fun Fact

The play was developed through a process of improvisation and collaboration with actors Mbongeni Ngema and Percy Mtwa, reflecting the lived experiences of black South Africans under apartheid.

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