Directed by Sylvaine Strike and starring Andrew Buckland, On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco is a one-act play written by William Harding and adapted from the work of numerous classic writers, including Anton Chekhov, Franz Kafka, James Joyce and Edgar Allen Poe.
The play takes the form of a lecture on the harmful effects of tobacco delivered by Ivan, who has been convinced to do so by his wife. Ivan animatedly digresses from the topic of tobacco, choosing instead to expound on the ardor and despair of his relationship with his wife.
Strike and Buckland’s clowning expertise combine with Harding’s script to create a hilarious yet poignant piece, in which Toni Morkel plays a non-speaking part as Ivan’s wife.
On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco has one more show, at 12.00 on Sunday 6 July 2014 at the Rhodes Box Theatre, Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
– By Cue Media
