Generation gaps

OneWorld UK

By Daniel Nelson

It was very strange. Id never seen a play like this in my entire theatrical life. When I first read the play I said: what is this? what is this? I thought maybe there was some mistake, maybe Ive been given all the same pages. South African actress Nomlhe Nkonyeni.

She is right: its an unusual play. For a start, it runs for barely 30 minutes. Secondly, its performed in the round, with the audience completely surrounding the actors. Thirdly, its about the impact of HIV and AIDS, but never mentions either. Fourthly but, no, I dont want to tell you, because it will spoil the effect.

All Ill say is that Generations at the Young Vic in London is a simple idea, movingly acted, with wonderful singing.

Despite its brevity and terseness, the subtle shifts in language and delivery pack a punch: at least two members of the audience sitting opposite me cried.

At the quietest, most poignant moment, the mobile phone in the pocket of the man sitting next to me started ringing and continued, louder and louder, until he realised it was his. (He explained afterwards that it was a new phone so he didnt recognise the ringtone.) Even that crassness couldnt destroy the piece, a miniaturisation, into one family, of the daily toll of 1,500 South Africans who are infected with HIV and the 900 a day who die of AIDS-related causes.

Watching Generations will cost you £9.50 - but put it in perspective: twice in the last fortnight Ive paid four times that price to watch 90 fruitless, boring minutes of premiership soccer.

It runs until 10 March.

* Young Vic
* Friends of TAC