Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Glossary and translation
- Images from production
- Ulwembu: the play script
- Prologue: Our story
- Scene 1 Behind the police station
- Scene 2 The police station, captain's office
- Scene 3 The school yard
- Scene 4 Portia's house
- Scene 5 Behind Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 6 Behind Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 7 The police station
- Scene 8 Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 9 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 10 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 11 Portia's house
- Scene 12 Bongani's house
- Scene 13 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 14 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 15 Bongani's house
- Scene 16 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 17 Sipho's room
- Scene 18 Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 19 Captain's office
- Scene 20 Behind the police station
- Scene 21 Bongani's house
- Scene 22 Portia's house
- Scene 23 Captain's office
- Scene 24 Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 25 On the street
- Epilogue: Our story
- Notes
- The Authors
Scene 1 - Behind the police station
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 May 2019
- Frontmatter
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Glossary and translation
- Images from production
- Ulwembu: the play script
- Prologue: Our story
- Scene 1 Behind the police station
- Scene 2 The police station, captain's office
- Scene 3 The school yard
- Scene 4 Portia's house
- Scene 5 Behind Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 6 Behind Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 7 The police station
- Scene 8 Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 9 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 10 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 11 Portia's house
- Scene 12 Bongani's house
- Scene 13 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 14 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 15 Bongani's house
- Scene 16 Outside Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 17 Sipho's room
- Scene 18 Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 19 Captain's office
- Scene 20 Behind the police station
- Scene 21 Bongani's house
- Scene 22 Portia's house
- Scene 23 Captain's office
- Scene 24 Emmanuel's sphaza shop
- Scene 25 On the street
- Epilogue: Our story
- Notes
- The Authors
Summary
The wail of police sirens, flashing of red and blue lights. ANDILE, wearing a black hoodie that conceals his face comes hurtling through the audience and onto the stage.
PORTIA [yelling from audience]: You run, I shoot. Do you hear me? You hear me?
Torch beams scan the darkness as members of the Metro Police arrive on stage. PORTIA, a sturdy policewoman of around 40, wearing a bulletproof jacket, leads the chase.
ANDILE is trapped. He stops out of breath as PORTIA, flanked by the rest of her unit [including officers
BULAWAYO and ZIKHALI] surround him.
PORTIA: I will pull this trigger. I will shoot.
ANDILE tries to dash but is pushed forcefully down to the ground by ZIKHALI.
BULAWAYO: Get down on the ground.
PORTIA: On the ground. Do you hear me?
PORTIA pins ANDILE to the floor, securing his hands behind his head. She inspects his face with the flashlight.
PORTIA: You … again?
ANDILE grimaces.
PORTIA: Ayanda?
ANDILE: Andile.
ANDILE tries to wriggle free but PORTIA shoves him back down.
PORTIA: How could I forget? What have we got today, eh?
ZIKHALI: Empty your pockets.
ANDILE: Please, Lieutenant.
PORTIA: Don't waste our time boy.
ANDILE: I have nothing on me.
PORTIA: I'm a busy woman. Empty them.
ANDILE: Please …
PORTIA [assertive]: Empty your pockets.
ANDILE: Just let me go … please.
PORTIA: Would you like Captain Bulawayo to empty them for you? Do you remember what happened the last time Officer Bulawayo had to empty them for you? [Calling.] Bulawayo!
BULAWAYO [stepping forward]: I am here, Lieutenant.
PORTIA: You remember Officer Bulawayo, Andile?
ANDILE [stammering]: I remember.
PORTIA: And Officer Zikhali?
ANDILE: Yes, Ma.
PORTIA: I would like to make this quick and easy for all of us this evening. Empty your pockets.
ANDILE empties his pockets. A few ziplock bags filled with whoonga straws fall to the ground.
ANDILE: Please Ma, please let me keep my goof.
PORTIA: Allow you to pollute all the other children in this community? You want me to arrest you again? How many times has it been this month? [No answer.] You can't remember, eh? Zikhali, can you?
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- UlwembuEmpatheatre and the Big Brotherhood, pp. 4 - 8Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2018