Review of Paul Grootboom's Foreplay

[Tiisetso Tlelima]

Sex, prostitution and infidelity are what theatre-goers can expect from Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom’s latest production Foreplay. Adapted from Austrian writer Arthur Schnizler’s commended Reigen, the play - set in Pretoria’s townships – is a series of 10 inter-connected scenes on society’s moral hypocrisy when it comes to sex. Grootboom is renowned for his simple yet provocative style – he doesn’t believe in sugar-coating prickly situations but would rather present reality as it is. Often his work evokes two distinct emotions from the audience: either the truth is too much to swallow and you reject it or you are appalled by what he’s saying but you still appreciate the truthfulness and the impeccable manner in-which he portrays our society. Some critics call him a cynic, but I call him a realist: he represents things as they really are.

Read the rest of the review on: http://www.artsreview.co.za/stage/2009/09/30/review-foreplay/