Race by David Mamet

By J.H. Kamper

I do love a David Mamet play. There's something about his writing that practically stages and directs the play by itself - all that's required of the company is to live up to the standards set by the script, and if they can top it, then great. There's a certain comfort in a Mamet play, knowing you're not risking any "daring" (read: questionable) reinterpretations as you might with Shakespeare.

I don't want to spend too much time on the script, as it's not new writing I'm critiquing here, but when it was such a large factor in my enjoyment of the show, it deserves a mention. A critical examination not only of race, prejudice, and their role in the American justice system, but also of the media, public perception, and the nature of guilt, it was as full of incisive wit and razor-sharp insights as this sentence is of clichés. It keeps you wondering who the villain is, and who's going to win, until its very last moments, and on the whole would make a thoroughly entertaining read, let alone watch.

Now then, onto the production - did it live up to the script? Yes indeed. The décor, portraying a high-end law firm, was slick and smart - nice additional touches like the American flag on the burnished wooden desk and the crystal water jugs really drew us in. The cast experienced the occasional slip in accents, and I feel they maybe lacked some of the 'bite', the 'attack' that the script demanded, especially when they were required to get angry - but they got the facial nuances and little shrugs, and overall nobody could accuse them of not being a strong cast. The staging on the whole was commendable.

Given that this was a South African company, I wondered if maybe they would get creative and cast a new angle on the notion of race and prejudice in the play. They didn't, but oh well. As I said, it's a Mamet play and doesn't need anything added. Sit back, and enjoy, because they've got this show right.

Race by David Mamet

South African Season - The Playhouse Company and Assembly

Assembly George Square Studios

Runs until 25th ★★★★ @postscriptjour

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