The Suit

Set against the backdrop of 1950s South Africa, this utterly delicious black comedy focuses on neurotically perfectionist office-worker, Philemon (William Nadylam), whose neatly ordered existence is shaken up when he catches his wife, Matilda (Nonhkanhka Kheswa) in bed with another man. Matilda is ashamed of her infidelity but Philemon does not find it so easy to forgive her. He devises a cruel and unusual punishment for his wife – under threat of death, she is to retain the suit that her fleeing lover left behind and treat it as an honoured guest… it is to sit with them at meals, she must take it out for walks and keep it prominently displayed in their house as a permanent reminder of her sin. Ultimately one is left wondering which was the greater betrayal of their love – Matilda’s adultery or Philemon’s vindictiveness.

The two lead actors have a strong chemistry together and the nuances of their individual performances are fascinating. Nadylam is all comically nervous edginess in the beginning and chillingly controlled fury towards the end. Kheswa radiates an aura of wistful yearning and longing for real human affection that is utterly heartwrenching.  

The township in which the story transpires is as vibrant a character in the play as the central couple. Ery Nzaramba steals the show, playing a variety of locals, as well as providing some amusingly sardonic narration. Live musical accompaniment is provided by Arthur Astier (guitar), Mark Kavuma (trumpet) and Danny Wallington (piano), who also pop up in bit parts throughout the play. The musical interludes cover an eclectic range of material, from Nina Simone, to Billie Holliday, Miriam Makeba to Johann Strauss – but all enhance the mood of a given scene, and the singing of both Kheswa (a veteran of Broadway’s “The Lion King”) and Nzaramba is stirring.

Sets are minimal, consisting of only a few tables, chairs and clothing racks. But the dynamic blocking of Brook, Estienne and Krawczyk coupled with the energetic physicality of the cast is sufficiently evocative in conveying the setting.

At 75 minutes, this play would’ve benefited from an expanded length in order to more fully develop certain themes and the ending comes across as somewhat abrupt. Even so, The Suit remains both a hilariously funny and deeply thought provoking piece of work. 

Benjamin Orchard

Image: Nonhlanhla Kheswa © Johan Persson