New South African ‘must see’ play hits London – “A Human Died That Night”
By Nicholas Wright
Based on the book by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela
Directed by Jonathan Munby
Designed by Paul Wills
Lighting by Tim Mitchell and Sound by Christopher Shutt
10 May – 15 June
Casting Update
‘I was a veteran fighter. That’s how I saw myself. But at the end of the day, Pumla, all that I really am is a veteran of lost ideologies. Once you realise that, you lose your innocence.’
Noma Dumezweni plays Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela and Matthew Marsh plays Eugene de Kock in Nicholas Wright’s new play.
1997, Pretoria Central Prison, South Africa. Psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela prepares to sit opposite the apartheid regime’s most notorious assassin. A member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, she is interviewing Eugene de Kock while he serves 212 years for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud.
How did he become one of the most reviled figures in apartheid history? Is Pumla able to overcome her disgust and hate for this monster and find the human within? And will he be prepared to open up and tell an educated black woman the truth?
Nicholas Wright makes his Hampstead Downstairs debut following his sell-out hit The Last of the Duchess on the Main Stage in 2011. A Human Being Died That Night is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela and explores her extraordinary interviews with Eugene de Kock, her time on the TRC, and how a fundamentally moral person could become a mass murderer.
Director Jonathan Munby makes his Hampstead Theatre debut. Theatre credits include A Number (Menier Chocolate Factory), Company (Sheffield Crucible), The Prince of Homburg, Life is a Dream (Donmar Warehouse) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare’s Globe).
Noma Dumezweni’s many theatre roles include Feast (Royal Court at the Young Vic), Belong (Royal Court), A Winter’s Tale, Julius Caesar, The Grainstore, Morte d’Arthur, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Breakfast With Mugabe, Antony and Cleopatra, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, Trade (all RSC); Little Eagles (RSC and Hampstead Theatre); Six Characters in Search of An Author, The Master and Margarita, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Coffee House and Nathan the Wise (Chichester); A Raisin in the Sun (Winner – Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performer). TV and film credits include Frankie, Doctor Who, The Colour of Magic, Eastenders, Shameless, Dirty Pretty Things, Macbeth, People Like Us and The Knock. Radio credits include Tamburlaine, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Pilgrim, A Time for Justice and The Framing of Bones and directing credits include The Strong Room at The Africa Centre.
Matthew Marsh last appeared at Hampstead in No Naughty Bits. His stage credits include The Last of the Haussmans, Blood and Gifts, Copenhagen (National Theatre), Proof (The Chocolate Factory), The Shawl (Arcola), Bingo, A Prayer for My Daughter (Young Vic) and The Little Foxes (Donmar). His many film credits include The Iron Lady, Dead Man Running, Bad Company and Spy Game. His television credits include Hotel Taliban, Hidden, The Other Child, Lead Balloon, New Tricks, Luther and Law and Order.
Hampstead Downstairs is an essential strand of the Hampstead Theatre’s programme, presenting at least six pieces of previously unperformed work each year. Under Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Producer Greg Ripley-Duggan this small studio space has been used to nurture works-in-progress whilst occasionally showcasing work by major theatre makers. The plays are produced to the highest standard that their very small budgets allow and are presented free from commercial pressure and without ‘official’ critical assessment, but in front of a paying audience who influence the future of the work by offering feedback both in the theatre and on social media. The aim is to identify and develop plays which might have the potential to move to the Hampstead Main Stage or to larger stages elsewhere.
Although there will be no formal press nights, a limited number of tickets each night will be made available to journalists who wish to see the shows and write about them informally.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Dates: 10 May – 15 June 2013
Times: Eves at 7.45pm. Sat Mats from 9 March at 3.15pm
Prices: £12. Concessions available
Booking: Online: www.hampsteadtheatre.com Tel: 020 7722 9301
In person: Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, Swiss Cottage, London NW3 3EU
t: @Hamps_Theatre
