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Tobacco, and the harmful effects thereof

26 May 2015

Tobacco, and the harmful effects thereof, is the title of the lecture that Ivan, played by Andrew Buckland, has been told to give. His wife, Nina, played by Toni Morkel, is the shadowy figure who has given the instruction. This lecture is for charity.

This wonderfully absurd set-up becomes the structure through which we witness the transformation of Ivan from a timid man, who is not a professor, and is a small smoker himself, to a man who finds his voice, scrambles out of his wedding suit and can reach out in new ways.

The combination of Sylvaine Strike's directing and Andrew Buckland's masterful acting is inspired. Buckland needs no props at all; he can command an audience with an eyebrow, but he has a box and a half-barrel, which he uses as a podium, a boat and a shelter, among other things. The spare set (designed by Chen Nakar) intensifies the focus on Buckland who keeps us riveted for 70 minutes. His acting is supreme, his balance extraordinary. The script by William Harding is taken by Strike and Buckland and filled with poignancy, anger, humour, redemption and love, in a way that speaks to ordinary human struggles and triumphs with their contradictions and uncertainties.

Toni Morkel's shadowy and silent appearances are a powerful evocation of pursed lipped disapproval and prim judgement, completely of a piece with the less-is-more performance. The restraint and nuance of Tobacco is what makes it so powerful. The unique, the particular and the quirky individuality of the piece reaches into deep places so that we hardly know where the magic has come from. But there is no doubt that the magic has touched - and it stays with one.

Tobacco is wonderful. Don't miss it.

Tobacco, and the Harmful Effects Thereof runs at the Baxter Flipside until 13 June at 7.30pm, with matinees on Thursday 28 May, at 11am and Saturday 30 May at 2pm.

Tickets cost R120 (previews, matinees and Baxter Mondays), R130 (Tuesday to Thursday) and R150 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted corporate, schools or block-bookings, charities or fundraisers, contact Sharon on 021 680 3962, email az.ca.tcu@draw.norahs or Carmen on 021 680 3993, email az.ca.tcu@snraek.nemrac.