Mooi Street Moves.
Mooi Street Moves– a one-act play in three scenes – premiered at the Great Hall in Grahamstown in June 1992. The Market Theatre premiere followed in January 1993. An extensive national tour followed after which the play was invited to the ‘Teater der Weld Festival’ in Germany where it was presented in Hamburg and Munich. The international tour continued to Denmark (Images of Africa Festival)and Scotland, where Mooi Street Moves won the Paper Boat Award at the Mayfest in Glasgow in 1994. There was also a short visit to the Cochrane Theatre in London. The part of Stix Letsebe was played by Seputla Sebogodiand Martin le Maitre played Henry Stone. The play was directed by Paul Slabolepszy. On the international tour, Zane Meas took over the part of Stix.
In September, 1993, Mooi Street Moves was produced by Carolyn Griffin at Metro-Stage in Alexandria, Virginia in the USA. The part of Stix was played by Doug Brown, while Jeffrey Yates took the part of Henry.
Since 1992 there have been many revivals of the play (notably a 20thAnniversary Production at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre with Peter Mashigo and Antony Coleman, with Mncedisi Shabangu directing) and the piece appears to be as relevant today as it was when it first burst upon the scene only months after the release from prison of the first president of a democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
“Mooi Street Moves is a searing, powerful work from our foremost playwright (yes, I think he is). Like its forerunner, Braait Laaities (1991), this clever drama turns on an unexpected dialogue between widely different, noticeably ordinary South Africans…”
– John Campbell (THE FINANCIAL MAIL)
“Slabolepszy has a firm finger on current South Africa. The play’s impressive, full of the sort of writing and insight that we could also do with in local movies…”
– William Pretorius (SUNDAY STAR)
“Slabolepszy’s best play yet makes fine theatre… the sensitively orchestrated piece moves from the hesitant first encounter that bristles with body language, through humour to tragedy that has been signposted throughout… it is superbly served by the actors. The skilled Le Maitre powerfully projects the pathos of Henry and leaves an indelible impression… Sebogodi provides a commanding foil… fine theatre…!
– Lynne Goodman (NATAL WITNESS)
“Mooi Street Moves is a definite must for all who appreciate really good theatre…!”
– David Coleman (THE MERCURY)
A young white kid from small-town South Africa comes looking for his older brother in the Big City. The last time he visited Jo’burg – some six years before – Hillbrow was not the ‘ghetto in the sky’ it is now, and things have changed dramatically.
Henry Stone arrives at the once well-appointed apartment to find his brother long gone and in his place a smart operator – Stix Letsebe – who introduces the naïve young man to a world of slick moves and dicey dealings. A ‘middle man’ by trade, Stix ‘receives’ and then ‘parts with’ stolen goods, living one shaky step ahead of the law all the time. Henry is drawn into this world and finds himself heading down a road leading who knows where…?
Set at the ‘Dawn of Democracy’ MOOI STREET MOVES is a journey dangerous, menacing and brutal – often wickedly humorous; a story of two young men from wildly different cultures learning to survive on the streets of an unforgiving city.
