After viewing The Island in a virtual production last year, this reviewer was more than curious to see how reactions differed when seeing the same production live, in a theater. Milwaukee theatergoers have that chance with this production by Milwaukee Chamber Theater, now staged live in the intimate Studio Theater, a 200-seat space that follows the “black box” formula.
What audiences can expect is the full force of suppressed rage (which sometimes explosively erupts between the two characters. The beautifully fine-tuned script keeps the audience riveted to the plight of two prisoners who were unjustly accused and sentenced.
Milwaukee Chamber Theater pairs two strong local actors, DiMonte Henning and Sherrick Robinson, under the direction of Chicago-based director Mikael Burke.
It is no coincidence that the names of the play’s characters, Winston and John, are the same as those of two of the play’s authors. When The Island opened on Broadway in 1974, the production featured these playwrights in the leading roles. The play, which is inspired by true events, went on to win a Tony Award that year. Both actors shared a Tony Award as Best Actor.
Athol Fugard is widely regarded as the theatrical voice for human rights in his country. He is best-known for some of his other work, such as Master Harold … and the Boys (1982) and The Road to Mecca (1984). But in The Island, he creates a powerful, intense and thought-provoking drama that is certain to rivet audiences to their virtual screens. This is also a play about an unlikely friendship that’s about to be tested.
The Island is set in an unnamed prison, which is widely believed to be South Africa’s notorious Robben Island prison. This is where Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years. It is a place designed to break the spirits of those jailed there, and sheer willpower and determination are needed to keep one’s sanity.
Two men, clad in roughly made, sand-colored shirts and shorts, silently mimic the process of digging holes and transporting dirt in wheelbarrows. Although they do not speak, it is clear from their grunts, moans, and heavy breathing that this is a difficult task. It is also a pointless one. As one man drags and dumps his dirt into the hole of his partner, the partner does likewise. The two men are forced to repeat a similar procedure every day.
By night, they rehearse in their cell for an upcoming variety show that the prisoners are doing for their guards. It is John (Robinson) who has chosen the play, Sophocles’s Antigone >. He has cast himself as Creon, a king who must enforce the state’s laws. That leaves a very reluctant Winston (Henning) to play the title character, and who must wear a wig and necklace scavenged from scraps found around the prison.
Some of the play’s scenes are filled with humor, such as John’s pretend phone call to his friends back home. While sitting in his cell, he talks into an empty can. Overhearing the one-way conversation, Winston becomes increasingly animated. As if he can’t help himself, Winston asks John for an update on their families.
While The Island is captivating to view online in a filmed version, it simply can’t compare to the experience of seeing live theater. Patrons should be grateful that local productions are once again springing up around town.
