Review: Louis Viljoen's DANGLED with Rob van Vuuren Offers Genius in Action at the Cape Town Fringe

It is quite remarkable when contemporary theatre-makers succeed in taking on a classic work and reinventing it so that it resonates within the context of our particular space and time. Philip Rademeyer's THE GRAVEYARD completely transformed Henrik Ibsen's GHOSTS at the National Arts Festival this year. Christiaan Olwagen rediscovered the same playwright's A DOLL'S HOUSE last year in his production as the Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipient for Theatre last year. In 2012, Yael Farber married August Strindberg's MISS JULIE with a century of South African politics to create MIES JULIE: RESTITUTIONS OF BODY AND SOIL SINCE THE BANTU LAND ACT NO. 27 OF 1913 AND THE IMMORALITY ACT NO. 5 OF 1927.

If a brief list such as this one makes it sound easy, each play can be matched by at least one production that failed to grapple with the task of reinvention deeply enough to produce a satisfying theatre. Take, for example, David Kramer's adaptation of Willy Russell's BLOOD BROTHERS, the Abrahamse and Meyer Productions reworking of Eugene O'Neill's DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS or Janni Younge's THE FIREBIRD. If the piece is not reinterrogated from start to finish, one leaves the theatre feeling that something is lacking.

Currently in the middle of a run at Cape Town Fringe following its premiere at the National Arts Festival, DANGLED is theatrical savant Louis Viljoen's adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's 1835 short story, "Diary of a Madman", written as a performance piece for Rob van Vuuren. The result? Genius in action. What the pair has achieved between them, with no director - although there was some consultation with Christiaan Olwagen - is astonishing.

DANGLED, like "Diary of a Madman", focuses on a low-ranking pencil-pusher who develops an obsession with his boss's daughter, Sophie. Whereas Gogol's account documents his protagonist's descent into madness, Viljoen positions us as witnesses of the man in his cell at an asylum. Initially, his conversations with his desk, chair and window have a winning eccentricity to them, and it is easy to identify with him as an underdog in his corporation. But as we take ever more disturbing twists and turns into his madness, his unhappiness, his alienation and the fantasy that he plays out in the hopes of getting what he wants, DANGLED becomes more and more disturbing - not least because we have seen some part of ourselves somewhere in his story.

Viljoen is in top form, delivering a script that seamlessly blends his voice with that of the character. Although Viljoen's writing has several distinct markers, it is incredible to observe his chameleon-like approach to language and character from play to play. One would never expect to find either of the characters in THE EMISSARY dallying about in this asylum, nor would you find the bears from CHAMP cavorting with the politicians in THE KINGMAKERS. His work continues to impress.

Van Vuuren's performance meets each challenge that the writing lays down before him, layering upon the words a taxing physical score that pushes him to his limits. Already having delivered a fine acting turn in A DOLL'S HOUSE earlier this year, DANGLED confirms, if we had not known it before, that the presence of Van Vuuren in a dramatic setting is something that great promise. He makes more than good on that promise here.

One thing that helps set DANGLED head and shoulders above most festival fare is Rocco Poole's design for the piece. His sets and lighting offer straightforward, no-nonsense design work that is incredibly effective simply because a clear investment has been made in creating a visual identity that helps to define the world of the play.

DANGLED is the kind of theatre piece that is going to divide audiences. It is unlikely that there will be people who are on the fence when asked what they thought about it. But like it or not, DANGLED demands to be seen. It presents challenging social observations that force us to come face to face with some of the darkness that lurks in all of us.

DANGLED runs in City Hall 1 at the Cape Town Fringe until 8 October. Details of the performance times and instructions for booking are available on the Cape Town Fringe website. Viljoen's THE EMISSARY is also a part of the festival.

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