SYNOPSIS
1997. Pretoria Central Prison, South Africa. Psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela prepares to sit opposite the apartheid regime’s most notorious assassin, Eugene de Kock nicknamed “Prime Evil”– the head of the apartheid regime’s death squads. A member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Gobodo-Madikizela questions de Kock who is serving a 212 year sentence for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud. She is determined to try to understand what motivated de Kock’s actions. One is reminded of European writer and philosopher Hannah Arendt’s endeavour to understand the nature of evil when she wrote about the Nazi holocaust architect Adolf Eichmann’s trial in Israel in 1962.Nicholas Wright’s A Human Being Died That Night was first produced by Eric Abraham at The Hampstead Downstairs, London in May of 2013 and ran for a sold out 5 week season. Following two acclaimed seasons in Cape Town, this Fugard Theatre production transferred to New York in 2015, for a season at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM).
CREDITS
Director: Jonathan Munby
Writer: Nicholas Wright
Based on the book: “A Human Being Died That Night” by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela
Design: Paul Wills
Lighting Design: Tim Mitchell
Sound Design: Christopher Shutt
Cast: Noma Dumezweni and Matthew Marsh
World Premiere: Hampstead Theatre Downstairs, London, 2013
AWARDS
Naledi Theatre Awards 2015 – Winner, Best Production: Cutting Edge
PRESS
“Quietly gripping and superbly acted drama. Ms. Dumezweni and Mr. Marsh’s impeccable performances, under the direction of Jonathan Munby, ground the play in a vivid reality”
The New York Times
“Marsh’s brilliant portrayal of de Kock… the riveting Noma Dumezweni”
New York Magazine
“Unmissable. Marsh is magnificent”
★★★★★ The Independent
“Remarkable. Intense. Thrilling and cut with humour. Marsh is phenomenal. Brilliant Dumezweni.”
★★★★ The Times
