After having to wait for five years to direct this play, Robert Haxton, who is currently reading for his Masters degree (drama) at Rhodes University, directs Martin Sherman's Bent, which had audiences deeply moved.
The persecution of homosexuals during the Nazi party’s rule in Germany, particularly during the holocaust of the Second World War, is an aspect of history that has only come to light in the past 30 years. Martin Sherman was one of the first to explore the happenings of this era in his play Bent, first produced in 1979. The play follows Max as he is hounded out of Berlin during the Night of the Long Knives, when Hitler purged his ranks of those he deemed impure and dangerous. Parading as a Jew in Dachau Concentration Camp, Max embarks on the ultimate journey of discovering what truth actually entails and how humanity is only achievable through honesty and love. While it is a direct examination of the terrifying atrocities which the Nazi’s committed during the holocaust, it interweaves themes of loyalty, cruelty, despair, humanity and love resulting in one of the most shocking and powerful outcomes in theatre history. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the plays production, and so commemorates the rebirth of homosexual pride and activism. The play speaks across all existence, mirroring the pain, both physical and emotional, which suffering and loss bring. With this comes the strength to achieve one’s own identity, to preserve it and cherish it.
Robert Haxton should without a doubt be complemented for bringing great power into the play along with his very strong cast.
However, special mention has to be made to Chris Fisher who played Max and the award winning Shaun Acker who played the Horst. Both these characters charmed the audience with their excellent performance and managed to get the the audience laughing and crying along with them through out this remarkable production.
Bent was presented at the Rhodes drama theatre by the Rhodes University drama department- Sifiso Sikhakhane
