God Gave Me This Life

A mere old tin box contains the treasures of an emaciated man’s life. He picks from it and recounts the journey that was served onto him. He had very limited choices in what life had to offer and it dealt him bad hands until now. Balram is an engaging man who puts duty before himself. He is funny, sensual, entertaining and emotional. The tattered setting is reminiscent of a once bustling area that has become scarcely populated leaving him in a cold and lonely environment.

He recollects, with much jest; his family, the neighbours, the extended family, his in laws, his engagement, his marriage, his child, his parents and even the in law’s dog. These recollections are tied up with a flimsy thread called Love. The fragility of love is what drives most people and it is what breaks most people. How or what do we do to take care of it so that it doesn’t break or break us? There is no real answer.
Balram was also a musician and had a great fondness for music and the arts. He would sing and play instruments. His wife was a dancer. Like most musicians, his passion is slowly killed with the realisation that he was not as admired for his skills as he would have hoped to be. Occupied with the trudges of daily life, he finds himself in a dilemma; but trudges on. That is the master of all anticipations: Hope. Then tragedy upon tragedy start to reveal that all before him had been lies multiplied by lies. That he had been a pawn in a treacherous game when the Bards most famous question comes to mind; “To be or not to be?” The human condition is a compilation of conflicting emotions and ideals. A broken man is left with very less dilemma in the end. Maybe the only contemplation will be ‘what type of noose?’

Come watch this play at this beautiful stage and experience theatre. ‘GOD GAVE ME THIS LIFE’ runs from Thursday the 10 September 2015 until Sunday 13 September with Two showings on Saturday and Sunday at the Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf. Ticket prices range from R70 upwards with various discounts. Tickets are available at COMPUTICKET and all Shoprite Checkers outlets.

Performed by Pranesh Maharaj. Written and Directed by Vivian Moodley. Opening Thursday 10 September 2015 and runs until Sunday 13 September 2015.