Cry Havoc - a soulful exploration of forbidden love

Written by American playwright Tom Coach and set in present day Cairo, Egypt, the potent narrative explores the fateful love between two extremes: a fervent Egyptian fundamentalist who lives a life of political repression and discrimination, and a passionate English idealist whose views are clouded by romantic adoration.

From the moment you enter the intimate space of the theatre, it's as if you step into the room where the two lovers meet and have to share forbidden love.

An intimate play

It's an intimate play that explores the cherished fondness and heated emotions of two men who fall in love under impossible circumstances and in a world where "dreams are useless", where the "language of love is hard to translate", and where religion is not big on "men shagging each other".

In Cry Havoc, Nicholas tries to persuade his tormented lover to travel to England with him and keep him safe. It's as simple as that, but an impossible dream. For him, "people shouldn't be alone in this world".

For Nicholas is it important to keep the flame of love burning, but for Mohamed, a man who believes his life is ruined and that he is damaged goods, flames of love become flames of hate.

Mohamed believes that when he holds a gun he has a voice, and that his weapon is a key that will open a door to other.

For Nicholas, his only weapon is his love, with which he hopes to set his lover free.

Under the discreet and delicate direction of Roy Sargeant, who manages skilfully to draw us into this intimate war zone, David Viviers as Nicholas, the naïve English dreamer, and Cameron Robertson as his Egyptian lover Mohamed, deliver performances that will steal your heart and knock you cold.

Equally impressive is Anthea Thompson as a British embassy official who has to power to grant Mohamed a visa. It's fascinating how her response about the lovers' dilemma in the end turns worlds around.

A play of extraordinary power

"Taking the title of his play from Mark Anthony's famous oration over the dead body of Julius Caesar in Shakespeare's play, 'Cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war', American playwright Tom Coash has written a play of extraordinary power," says Roy Sargeant.

"Cultural imperialism, religious fundamentalism, political repression and personal sexuality are deftly unfolded in this tender and shocking play. Coash writes with an exquisite sense of irony that provides real wit and comedy in the play, as he brings the lovers to confront their convictions and obsessions and also a repressive government, and their own identities."

The play leaves one with resonant and poignant thoughts, stating that "thinking leads to introspection" and how "introspection is highly overrated".

Cry Havoc is a play that will break your heart. It's a soulful journey into forbidden love that should not be missed under any circumstances.

The play runs until 5 September from Wednesdays to Saturdays at 7pm, and there will be a matinee on Saturday 22 August at 3pm.Tickets are only R120 and R60 for students and pensioners, and can be booked at www.webtickets.co.za