Peter Brooks ‘Swize Banzi is Dead’ was a special night in the theatre. It sure helped getting front row of seats! What a treat! To have front row seats to a Peter Brooks directed production at the Playhouse of the Sydney Opera House.

Within five minutes of ‘Sizwe’ starting, I fell under the show’s spell. Habib Dembele Aka Guimba was a fantastic performer. Lithe in build, and with such intense eyes and such a great energy, he was magnetic to watch, as he swept across the stage. Habib played the role of Styles, an eccentric photographer who spends much of his time talking about, and impersonating many of his clients.

Styles’s life is forever changed when a fresh client walks in who goes by the name of Sizwe. Sizwe is a troubled man looking for support and encouragement. He is hoping to find work in the township however he doesn’t have the specific pass that is required by black people to be able to work. He knows what he has to do…he has to create a false pass, assume the name of a dead person, and give up his own identity.

This is the very core and heart of this play. He has a terrible dilemma. He is a proud man, and it strikes at the very heart of him, to have to give up his own identity, just to find work, just to survive!

There was such pride and force in Pitcho Womba Konga’s performance as Sizwe. One could feel his sorrow and pain. As Sizwe said to his friend, Buntu, ‘A black man staying out of trouble… Impossible! Our skin is our trouble’.

The legendary British director Peter Brook’s direction was first class. Abdou Ouologuem’s set was minimalistic and effective. The play was performed in French with English surtitles.

‘Sizwe Banzi is Dead’ ached! At the end of the play the two actors came out on stage to take bows, and clasped their hands in prayer. This was inspiring, sacred theatre.