The Island (Fugard)

The Island (Fugard)

The Island (Fugard)

Athol Fugard, John Kani, Winston Ntshona

The Island (Fugard)

The Island (Fugard)

Athol Fugard, John Kani, Winston Ntshona

Overview

On a small Atlantic island is one of South Africa's maximum security prisons for political prisoners. There, two cell mates, Winston, a lifer, and John, in for ten years, have developed strong bonds of friendship. This bond is about to be broken, for John is soon to be released. This arouses hatred, envy and loss in Winston. John's feelings at his early release are mixed. The two have also devised a homespun version of Sophocles' "Antigone" and its presentation as a prisoner "entertainment" is a tremendous theatrical moment. It is also a scathing, ironic and symbolic indictment by these two Black prisoners of White South Africa. 

Published in a collection called Statements with Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act and Sizwe Banzi is Dead.

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Authors

Athol Fugard

Athol Fugard is an internationally acclaimed South African playwright whose best-known work deals with the political and social upheaval of the apartheid system in South Africa. He was educated at the University of Cape Town. His plays include “Master Harold”...and the Boys, ...

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Author

John Kani

Author

Winston Ntshona