MOFFIE - REVIEW - RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

In 1979 South Africa, the government’s main preoccupation was shielding from the looming threat of communism to safeguard the Afrikaner populace, Christianity, and the free world. I cannot fathom how current this devastating historic background feels when it sets the stage for Moffie at the Riverside Studios. Too many lives have been and are continuously lost to wars that none of the boys (and girls) have volunteered for. This new play delves deep into the harrowing experiences of seventeen-year-old Nicholas van der Swart as he is conscripted into the South African Defence Force and finds himself entangled in a regime demanding unwavering conformity, brute masculinity, and displays blatant racism.

Adapted from André Carl van der Merwe’s novel, Moffie follows Nicholas’s tumultuous journey as he grapples with societal expectations and his internal conflict regarding his identity. Amidst the violent milieu of the South African border war, Nicholas lives in constant dread of being outed as a ‘moffie’ – a derogatory term for being gay. The narrative poignantly explores themes of toxic masculinity and trauma, reflecting on how the wounds inflicted during apartheid continue to plague even 30 years into South Africa’s democracy. And, unfortunately, root deeply enough that my South African friend was shedding a couple of tears while uttering “I know boys who have to live like this”.

Kai Luke Brümmer reprises his role as Nicholas, a part he previously embodied in the 2019 film adaptation. Directed by Greg Karvellas and penned by Philip Rademeyer, with set design by Niall Griffin and sound design by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, the play zeroes in on the visceral emotional journey of its protagonist.

Brümmer’s portrayal of Nicholas is emotionally charged and captivating. His performance skillfully conveys the depths of Nicholas’s internal struggle, drawing the audience into his story. Karvellas’s direction is minimalist yet potent, ensuring that the audience’s attention remains firmly on Nicholas, the beating heart of the play. The minimalist design underscores the intense personal narrative, allowing Brümmer’s performance to shine.

However, Brümmer’s transition from screen to stage was not entirely seamless. While holding the audience’s attention with a monologue for 85 minutes is undoubtedly challenging, Brümmer stumbled noticeably at several points. These moments broke the immersion and momentarily pulled the audience out of the story; a subtle reminder of the demanding nature of stage acting compared to the more forgiving realm of film.

Despite these slips, Moffie remains a powerful theatrical experience and a compelling exploration of identity and survival against the backdrop of a brutal regime. The play succeeds in evoking a deep sense of anger and frustration with the societal injustices of the past and their enduring impact on the present. It’s a heartbreaking reminder of the lingering scars left by apartheid and a call to reflect on the pervasive influence of historical trauma.

{🎟 AD: PR Invite – Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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