Kunene and the King
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| Program Cover |
By John Kani
Review by Ernest Edwards
This play has two of the best performances that you will see on a Twin Cities stage.
Kunene and the King first premiered in 2019 at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon in England. The story takes place in post-apartheid South Africa in 2019. The Guthrie Theater is presenting the Octopus Theatrical production of Kunene and the King.
In the apartment of actor Jack Harris, he is learning his lines for a Cape Town production of King Lear while also dealing with stage 4 liver cancer. His doctor has sent a nurse to live with him, and Jack is shocked to see a man of color in his home by the name of Lunga Kunene. It looks like prejudices still run deep as Jack believes Lunga Kunene is there to rob him. Lunga insists he will stay at the residence until Jack “gets better”.
It takes a bit for these gentlemen to warm up to each other. They do discover they both have a love for
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| Teresa Castratrane Photography |
We learn so much about both men during the course of this play. The paths their lives took. How they became the men that they are today. Such a powerful and moving play.
It’s not hard to see some similarities in this play with the theme of racism. Humanity is also a strong theme.
Jack Morris is played by Edward Gero. Playwright/actor John Kani bring Lunga Kunene to the stage. They are accompanied by Isithunywa as Ntebo, who sings at the start of the play and between scenes.
In addition to the two leading men, another reason to see this play is the scenery designed by Lawrence E. Moten III. Most of the story takes place in Jack’s house, the last scene takes place at Lunga’s home in Soweto. It’s the transition of the that scene change that was truly wonderful and magical.
I really enjoyed this play.
The play has a run time only one hour and forty minutes. (No intermission) The play continues through November 8, 2026. Check out www.guthrietheater.org for tickets.
