WeeklySA_AdminHEALING: Unresolved emotions usually haunt those who scoff at closure
By Gugu Sibiya
Play: Borderline.
Playwright: Paul Slaboleszy
Director: Maralin Vanrenen
Cast: Anthony Coleman,
Lerato Mvelase, Paul Slaboleszy.
Borderline is the latest play to hit the iconic Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Penned by the internationally respected playwright and actor Paul Slabolepszy, Borderline is to be hosted at the John Kani Theatre, where it will begin its season on June 3, and wrap up on July 3.
A three-hander, Borderline, is about business couple Raymond Kruger (Anthony Coleman) and Faith (Lerato Mvelase). Married over just two years, the duo are emigrating to Canada. While Raymond has no qualms about leaving the country, Faith is on tenterhooks as this is not an easy decision for her.
An only child with a doting, single parent mother, she is concerned about the implications of her choice and what it’s going to do to her beloved mom.
For Raymond, things are totally different. A son of a former 70s South African border war veteran, he is not bothered nor going to be affected by the move. His mom passed away a long time ago, his sister lives in the UK, and his estranged, abusive father he has not spoken to for over 20 years, lives in a retirement village in the Western Cape.
An embittered man who failed to deal with his demons at the border. When he came back home, he made life a living hell for his family. Today in the twilight of his years, he is spending time alone among strangers.
An emotive drama that deals with an array of emotions, most of which cut deep into the heart. It is romance and happiness for a couple celebrating their love. It is excitement at leaving and pain of separation between mother and child. For Raymond, it is indifference for a son whose dad could easily be dead.
Faith works on the consequence of loss and separation between her mother and herself. By the time she is ready to board the plane to that far, distant country, she and mom are good. Mulling over the consequence of not addressing past trauma, darkness and pain, when faced with complicated family relationships, is a problem.
Conscious of the despair in her husband’s heart, she throws caution to the wind to follow her instinct. On the eve of their departure, she convinces Raymond to reach out to his father, close a 20-something year chasm of silence between them. Out of darkness, there’s a possibility of hope and healing.
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