Back from a mini tour of Yorkshire and Stockport and cheering for supporting act Indignation Meeting
Theatre: A Lesson from Aloes, Finborough Theatre London
Athol Fugard's play is an acute reminder of the horrors of apartheid-era South Africa

THE opening of A Lesson From Aloes lulls you into false sense of security.
Piet and Gladys Benzuidenhouts are having a lazy afternoon in their isolated Port Elizabeth back yard, awaiting a visit from his old friend Steve and his family. There’s talk of sunburn, the resilience of aloes and the significance of names — underlined by a Romeo and Juliet quote — but little more.
Fortunately, when you are in the hands of South Africa’s master dramatist you know you won’t be underwhelmed for long and, slowly, Athol Fugard begins to turn up the heat.
More from this author

MAYER WAKEFIELD has reservations about the direction of a play centered on a DVLA re-training session for three British-Pakistani motorists

MAYER WAKEFIELD wonders why this 1978 drama merits a revival despite demonstrating that the underlying theme of racism in the UK remains relevant

MAYER WAKEFIELD speaks to playwright Richard Bean about his new play Reykjavik that depicts the exploitation of the Hull-based “far-fleet” trawlermen

MAYER WAKEFIELD finds himself caught in the crossfire during a riveting piece of activist theatre