Brave

Synopsis

Benjamin ‘Ben’ Mthombeni, a South African man, is the central figure in Mongiwekhaya’s gripping and intense play “Brave.” Set in the urban landscape of Johannesburg, the play explores Ben’s harrowing experiences over one night as he is detained and brutalized by police officers Buthelezi and Masinga. The narrative unfolds through a series of dark and confrontational scenes that reveal the brutal realities of police corruption, racial tensions, and personal trauma. Ben’s ordeal is further complicated by his interactions with Skinn, a young woman who initially gets him into trouble and later struggles with her own issues as she tries to help him.

The play delves into themes of police brutality, racial identity, and systemic corruption. It is a drama with elements of social realism and dark comedy, structured in a non-linear, episodic format that vividly portrays the oppressive atmosphere of Johannesburg at night. The settings include various locations such as a police van, an abandoned parking lot, a hospital, and urban streets, all depicted with minimalistic but evocative staging to reflect the isolation and tension experienced by the characters.