MetroStage at the Lyceum: A reading of The Island by Athol Fugard

It is the early 1970’s. John and Winston are two political prisoners in apartheid South Africa. The setting is Robben Island off the coast but within sight of their homeland. An iconic play that Athol Fugard devised with John Kani and Winston Ntshona, that MetroStage produced in both 1990 and 2015.

Since Mr. Fugard died this past February, MetroStage is honored to pay tribute to his body of work and present a reading of this extraordinary play. By depicting the labor required of the political prisoners, their bond, and their commitment to telling the classic story of “Antigone” for their fellow prisoners, Fugard has created a dramatic, and historic masterpiece. As MetroStage director Thomas W. Jones II described in a 2015 interview, the play depicts “themes of solidarity, endurance, perseverance (that) are timeless”, and a “celebration of human dignity and freedom in the face of insurmountable oppression.”

"This reflects a very important part of MetroStage’s history since we produced many of Mr. Fugard’s plays over the last 30 years. We are proud to pay tribute to his work and the tremendous contribution he made during the years of apartheid and beyond with a reading of The Island, featuring two of MetroStage’s favorite actors who have performed in his plays for MetroStage productions." Carolyn Griffin, Producing Artistic Director

More info on the website.