By Prudence Mathenjwa
In a courtroom of theatre stage set, stands a women in orange overalls and a face painted with sorrow and pain. She stands trial to prove her innocence and gain freedom from a crime she committed in self defense. This was the touching scene of Women in the Mirror, a powerful theatre piece recently staged by students of the Drama and Production Studies department at Durban University of Technology (DUT)’s Courtyard theatre.
The production tells the story of a woman imprisoned for killing her abusive husband. Through raw monologues and shifting scenes, the audience is taken on her journey from the bliss of falling in love and the joy of marriage, to the darkness that followed when her husband lost his job and turned to alcohol and violence.
Her testimony becomes a mirror of her life: losing a pregnancy of twins after a brutal beating, being dismissed from her job, and enduring further abuse inside prison, where even a warden preyed on her vulnerability. In a final act of resistance, she also ends his life; a chilling reminder of cycles of violence born from desperation.
Director Aphiwe Khumalo says the show was meant to raise awareness of gender based violence and also show that a women look into the mirror, they see bruises from men they have encountered in their lives. She complemented the students’ acting in depicting the raw emotions of the characters which was beyond her expectations and she was “nerve-struck” as they were performing throughout the show.
“I had invited guests to scout talent from our actors today, this was an opportunity for them to showcase their skills and build their portfolios for the acting industry,” she added.
For the actress stepping into this role, it was a deeply emotional experience.
“It was my first time being the main character and I found it challenging as I had to be the one to drive the show as my face was on the poster,” said Aphile Ngcobo, DUT drama student.
She says she is grateful that the long and tiring late night rehearsals paid off as she was able to get to know and understand her character’s journey well and embodied the projection of the main characters’ emotions and the message behind the show’s performance.
“I hope my audience felt connected with my character’s story, I hope that they felt every word and emotions I portrayed on the stage and that they got the message related to the show. I hope that they speak out if they are also in abusive relationships,” said Ngcobo.
Audiences responded with hushed silence and bursts of applause through the show’s performance, moved by the bravery of both the character and the young performers bringing her journey to life.
“It was a great show, today’s performance captured the pain and emotional traumas that GBV victims go through, and as society there is a lot we need to do to heal this individuals” said Mandla Mthunzi, an attendee.
Women in the Mirror is more than a student project; it is a testament to the power of theatre to confront social issues and spark dialogue. At a time when South Africa continues to grapple with the scourge of gender-based violence, DUT’s young storytellers remind us that a performance can enlighten society about social ills and demand change.
