Alice Childress’s play, Trouble in Mind, puts the spotlight on sexism, racism, identity and power, with Thembi Mtshali-Jones leading the cast.
Under the direction of Mdu Kweyama, the cast also includes Antony Coleman, Royston Stoffels, Nicky Rebelo, Adrian Collins, Daniel Newton and Alyssa van Reenen.
Lyle October, Awethu Hleli and Tamzin Williams from the Baxter’s Fires Burning company complete the ensemble.
Set in the 1950s during rehearsals for an upcoming Broadway production, the play-within-a-play comedy drama follows the challenges and differences faced by the group of multi-generational, black and white actors and their white, male director and stage manager. Racial politics and tensions collide as backstage hypocrisy and prejudice unravel at the theatre.
Mtshali-Jones plays Wiletta, a veteran actress who questions the politics of race in theatre and the content of the play.
“The play had a troubled history when it was first produced, before finally getting the recognition and praise that it deserves albeit years later,” says Kweyama. “For our production, we remain true to the original script as was the wish of Alice Childress.”
When Trouble in Mind first opened off-Broadway in November 1955, it piqued the interests of producers who had intentions for a Broadway transfer. However, they insisted that some alterations be made to the ending in the script, so that it would be more appealing to audiences and for its commercial success. When Childress refused to compromise, the play never made it to Broadway until 2021, when it was nominated for four Tony Awards, not winning any.
Childress was the first black playwright to win an Obie Award. Over the course of her life, she received numerous accolades for her contributions to the arts, including the Harlem School of the Arts Humanitarian Award in 1987. She died of cancer in New York City in 1994, leaving behind an unfinished novel about two of her great-grandmothers.
The production runs at the Baxter Flipside from Tuesday May 14 to June 1, at 7.30pm with Saturday matinees at 2pm. Booking is through Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores. For discounted block bookings contact Mark Dobson at mark.dobson@uct.ac.za or 021 680 3972.
