written by athol fugard
directed by gordon edelstein
main season | thrust stage
january 15–february 28, 2010
Running time: 2 hours and 30 minutes,
including one 15 minute intermission
the play
Time magazine calls Athol Fugard “the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world.” Now South Africa’s master dramatist comes back to Berkeley Rep with a new show: Coming Home. Ten years after running off to the city to pursue her dreams, Veronika returns in rags. Among her meager belongings, she carries a desperate secret—and determination to plant the seeds of a new life for her son. It’s a “sad, sweet, and gently moving” show, says the New York Times, “a beautifully acted production directed by Gordon Edelstein.” In Coming Home, Fugard once again confronts the hard truths of his homeland while celebrating the power of hope.
the players
Athol Fugard’s scripts have earned countless accolades, including the Academy Award, Obie Award and Tony Award. Berkeley Rep produced three of his previous plays: A Lesson from Aloes, The Road to Mecca and Valley Song.
Gordon Edelstein is artistic director of Long Wharf Theatre, where this show had its world premiere. He has staged acclaimed productions in London, New York and across America.
the buzz
“Beautifully performed…[Roslyn] Ruff and [Thomas] Silcott anchor the drama in performances riveting in nuanced watchfulness and unspoken subtext…South Africa’s pre-eminent playwright remains the eloquent conscience of the stage.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“It’s a dramatic masterpiece…A poignant, gripping drama…The cast is superb.”—KGO-AM
“A gentle elegy to dashed dreams…Sensitively directed by Gordon Edelstein…Tiny moments echo with emotional intensity…Fugard’s gift for introspection, his ability to see the majesty in ordinary lives, remains unparalleled.”—Bay Area News Group
“The characters are so overflowing with color and life…To make an audience care, really care, about a few characters summoned for a few hours out of the ether by stagecraft is a remarkable thing.”—KALW-FM
“Berkeley Rep’s magnificent physical staging, with a top-notch cast brilliantly directed by Gordon Edelstein is a not to be missed production.”—Theaterworld.com
“The greatest playwright writing in English since Shakespeare.”—New York Times
“As one might expect from a writer of fierce commitment to political and social justice, Coming Home quietly condemns the shameful policies of the South African government, which failed to confront the reality of AIDS or to offer the necessary drugs to its impoverished citizens as they became available, resulting in untold thousands of unnecessary deaths. But as always with Mr. Fugard, censure of policy comes only through careful observation of its human costs. Mr. Fugard doesn’t need to raise his voice, or even have Veronica raise hers, to make his points…Ms. Ruff gives a superb performance.”—New York Times
“This great writer has given us another unforgettable glimpse into modest lives of unfathomable grandeur…It’s a tribute to Fugard’s skill as a playwright—and Ruff’s as an actress—that the play manages to skirt the shoals of bathos while boldly, methodically, and often humorously charting a course for certain heartbreak.”—Theatermania
multimedia
Feel the pulse and passion of South Africa in this sneak peek of Athol Fugard’s Coming Home.
from the blog
Homecoming
Watch and listen to reports on Athol Fugard’s return to Cape Town to direct his “most important” new play.
The sounds of South Africa
Coming Home director Gordon Edelstein shares the songs he selected for the production.
Chatting with Athol Fugard
One of the world’s foremost living playwrights, Coming Home author Athol Fugard talks to the SF Chronicle.
Press Photos
production sponsor
in-kind sponsors
Bistro Liaison / Darling Flower Shop / Peet’s Coffee and Tea / Raymond Vineyards / Semifreddi’s / TCHO / Tomatina
season sponsors
