"Tramway Road’ (Press, 11 July 1985)

The Court Theatre in Christchurch is presenting "Tramway Road," a play by Ronald Harwood, directed by Elizabeth Moody, from July 10 to July 27, 1985. Reviewed by Gerrit Bahlman, the play explores themes of moral vacillation and the complicity of seemingly decent individuals in the face of systemic injustice. Set in a small library in Seapoint, Cape Town, the narrative revolves around Arthur Langley and his wife, Dora, who have taken on a young pupil named Emil Visser. Emil, who aspires to escape his circumstances through education and a scholarship to England, faces the harsh reality of reclassification based on the dubious claims of someone alleging to be his father. This situation forces the Langleys to confront their own fears and the implications of the oppressive social laws around them. The characters are portrayed with depth; Arthur Langley, a former public school teacher, is caught up in his own nostalgia for England, while Dora craves cultural enrichment, such as opera. Their individual desires create a backdrop of longing that contrasts sharply with Emil's plight. Emil's character, depicted by Judd Milner with a sense of sorrow and an authentic South African accent, embodies the despair of many under a racially oppressive system. Bahlman notes that the couple's responses to Emil's situation reflect a disturbing moral compromise, highlighting how personal fears can overshadow a recognition of injustice. The Langleys, who have relocated to avoid their pasts involving scandal and alcoholism, find themselves retreating into moral escapism, further illustrating how they bury their sensibilities. The performances are described as complex and engaging. Bill Le Marquand's portrayal of Arthur refers to a tragic self-awareness, while Judie Douglass excels as Dora, displaying her character's frustration and insecurity. The production is augmented by the strong colonial aesthetic in the set design by Murree Hutchinson and the costumes by Helen Morrish, which enhance the cultural context of the story. Bahlman draws parallels between "Tramway Road" and the React Theatre's "A Lesson from Aloes," both of which delve into the dynamics of isolation faced by couples under the weight of societal injustices. Ultimately, the play serves as a poignant commentary on the pervasive wrongs of institutional racism, revealing the uncomfortable truths that underpin the lives of those who benefit from such systems while simultaneously remaining blind to their repercussions.

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