Productions

Magnet Theatre presents Dürrenmatt’s classic comic-tragedy THE VISIT

Multiple award-winning Magnet Theatre presents Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s classic comic-tragedy THE VISIT, co-directed by Mark Fleishman and Warona Seane and starring the talented trainees of the fifth Magnet Theatre training programme.

With a limited run, this is a rare opportunity to see this seldom presented classic masterpiece, performed by seventeen of the next generation of South African performers, who are in their second and final year on Magnet’s Training and Job Creation Programme.

THE VISIT explores societal issues around human nature and the human connections we sell out on in the face of financial gain and social advancement. In THE VISIT, a wealthy older woman returns to her former hometown with a dreadful bargain. In exchange for their participation in an act of vengeance, she will provide enough money to revitalise the crumbling town. Will the townspeople resist temptation or give in to their greatest desires?

“The Visit is a classic text – it’s a big play with a great story that makes for a funny, engaging theatrical experience,” says co-director Mark Fleishman. “Set in mid-20^th century Europe, the play challenged the trainees to find connections with a world that was different to theirs, and bring those parallels to life for a modern South African audience.

“With themes such as how power and financial gain can corrupt people’s minds and hearts, and seeking justice for the wrongs of past events, The Visit remains relevant to the current environment in South Africa. Due to the scale of this play, it is rarely produced professionally, so this is also an incredible opportunity for the trainees to experience a production of this nature. We are extremely proud of how they have interpreted it and can’t wait for audiences to see them in action.”