THEATRE REVIEW: Angolan border war resurfaces in powerful London play exploring race and reconciliation
Paul Herzberg’s London play The Moth revisits South Africa’s secretive Angolan border war through a tense encounter between a black journalist and a former apartheid soldier. Exploring racism, trauma, hatred and the difficult pursuit of forgiveness, the production confronts the lasting human cost of conflict.
A South African-born black journalist and a former apartheid-era white soldier find themselves seated across from each other on a train traveling to Dundee, forming the basis of Paul Herzberg's powerful London play, The Moth. The gripping drama revisits the secretive Angolan border war from half a century ago, delving into themes of racism, trauma, hatred, and the quest for forgiveness.
Set against the backdrop of post-apartheid South Africa, the play examines the lingering impact of conflict and the difficulty of reconciliation.
The Moth, originally developed as a 10-minute video monologue during the Covid-19 pandemic, has garnered international acclaim, including four fringe theatre award nominations. Set in 1976, the play features a poignant encounter between John Josana, a black South African whose father went into exile during infancy, and Marius Miller, a white Afrikaner soldier who sought therapy to overcome his post-traumatic stress disorder and begin anew.
As Josana reluctantly meets Miller on the train, their shared experiences force them to confront their troubled pasts and grapple with the consequences of hatred and anger.
The play unfolds over three decades, as Josana struggles to forgive Miller for his role in the Angolan border war, while Miller becomes increasingly obsessed with gaining Josana's trust and forgiveness. The narrative is both a microcosm of the broader societal divide and a testament to the complex process of healing and reconciliation.
The Moth is a visceral and emotionally charged portrayal of the human cost of conflict, offering a stark reminder of the dangers of tribal identities and the importance of seeking common ground.
Though devoid of a happy ending, The Moth provides a glimmer of redemption through attrition as the two men forge an unlikely bond. The play's psychological depth and powerful performances offer a cathartic and thought-provoking experience for audiences, particularly those who lived through the apartheid era.
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