A Timeless Masterpiece Reimagined: 'Master Harold and The Boys' at The Geffen, John Kani Reclaims the Stage

(l-r) Ben Beatty, Nyasha Hatendi, and John Kani
courtesy photo 

By Darlene Donloe

 

 

In the Gil Cates Theater at The Geffen, a poignant storm brews, courtesy of Athol Fugard's 'Master Harold… And The Boys'.

 

This Tony-winning production, Fugard’s apartheid-era classic from 1982, reunites the legendary actor, playwright, director, cultural activist, and Tony Award-winner John Kani with the role of Sam, which made him a star 40 years ago. This time, he shares the stage with Nyasha Hatendi, who plays Willie, and Ben Beatty, who plays Hally, a privileged, rich, white kid, under the spirited and commanding co-direction of Emily Mann and Tarell Alvin McCraney.

 

The intimate setting of a 1950s South African tea shop becomes a crucible for exploring themes of power, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships.

Ben Beatty is Hally in 'Master Harold...and The Boys'

Hally (Master Harold), a conflicted white teenager, navigates his tumultuous emotions amidst the warmth and wisdom of Sam and Willie, two Black waiters who've become surrogate fathers to him.

 

As the afternoon unfolds, Fugard's masterful writing lays bare the festering wounds of apartheid and racism, exposing the fragility of human bonds.

John Kani is Sam in 'Master Harold.... and The Boys'

 

Kani's (‘Sizwe Banzi Is Dead,’ ‘The Island’) return to the role is nothing short of revelatory, bringing depth and nuance to Sam's quiet strength. He’s a wonder to watch.

 

Witnessing Kani's mesmerizing stage presence is akin to attending a virtuoso masterclass, as he effortlessly navigates the spectrum of emotions, weaving seamlessly from sidesplitting humor to poignant introspection with the finesse of a seasoned maestro.

Nyasha Hatendi plays Willie in 'Master Harold....and The Boys'

 

Hatendi and Beatty are equally impressive in their roles.

They both deliver performances that elevate the production, bringing nuanced depth and emotional resonance to their roles. Hatendi's portrayal of Willie is both grounded and dignified, while Beatty's Hally is a complex bundle of contradictions, radiating vulnerability and fragile masculinity. Together, they form a formidable ensemble, expertly balancing each other and amplifying the drama's raw emotional power. Their interactions with Kani's Sam are electric, creating a sense of authentic connection that draws the audience into the world of the play.

Ben Beatty, John Kani, and Nyasha Hatendi

John Kani and Nyasha Hatendi

Ben Beatty

The 90-minute production, sans intermission, crackles with tension, its unflinching examination of racial dynamics still resonating powerfully today.

 

This revival is essential viewing, not only for its luminous cast, but for its unflinching resonance in an era marked by division and uncertainty – a timely reminder that great art can illuminate even the darkest corners of our shared humanity.

 

Fugard, who died last year, wrote a deliciously disturbing play that, although it is set in the 1950s, is still a thought-provoking heartbreaker today.

 

Kudos to Beowulf Boritt (scenic designer), Susan Hilferty (costume designer), Adam Honore (co-lighting designer), Spencer Doughtie (Co-lighting designer), Uptownworks – Noel Nichols Bailey Trierweiler, and Daniela Hart (sound design), Koko Iwasaki Nyemchek and Kiki Myemchek (co-choreographers), and Deborah Hecht (dialect and voice coach). Boritt’s light rain pouring downstage and in the background was relaxing and effective.

 

Running time: 95 min, no intermission.

 

‘Master Harold and The Boys,’ The Geffen, Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, through May 10, no performance on Mondays and Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays, $36-$139, 310 208-2028, www.geffenplayhouse.org.

 

All Geffen Playhouse productions are intended for an adult audience; children under 10 years of age will not be admitted.

 

On the DONLOE SCALE (D) don’t bother, (O) oh, no, N (needs work), L (likeable), O (oh, yeah), and E (excellent), ‘Master Harold…..and The Boys’ gets an E (excellent).

All photos are courtesy photos.