Monday, March 3, 1997
THEATER:
Athol Fugard’s latest play reveals a part of himself, his
countryBy Susan Lee
Daily Bruin Contributor
Athol Fugard has made a name for himself as a playwright,
director and actor. He says he has the "presumption and audacity to
take all three roles" in "Valley Song," playing at the Mark Taper
Forum through April 26.
But Fugard explains where his true passion lies.
"Consider the essential Athol Fugard a writer," he says. "He is
capable at the fashion of acting and directing a play, but these
are subsidiary talents. He could go on without acting and
directing. But without writing, he couldn’t live."
For Fugard, the writing process has been a long and challenging
one resembling the turmoil of his homeland, South Africa. But his
background gives him a lot to write about.
"All storytellers never run out of stories to tell … and
theater is my way to do it," Fugard says. "Someone gave me a quote
by Henry James saying, ‘A staged play is an intensified novel,’ but
really, it basically is just storytelling."
"Valley Song’s" story begins with Veronica Jonkers and her
grandfather, Abraham Jonkers. Veronica is a young woman beginning
to discover her future ambitions, much to the dismay of her
grandfather who must learn to let go of the past.
"Theater is an extension of stories  and good stories get
into … people: into their dreams at night and into their
imagination so that they become a part of (the) fabric of being,"
Fugard says. "It’s funny … now that I have written the play, I
feel more like Veronica, as I’m reflecting on my own sense of
self."
The constant reflection about his past and his future has helped
shape Fugard’s life. Beneath the sanguine and gentle reassuring
voice lies a scorching passion for the pen. In fact, 40 years of
writing have made Fugard one of the most highly respected
playwrights from South Africa.
Stories, Fugard feels, have their own time and place to be told
and can only be told the moment when writer and tale connect.
"For example, ‘Valley Song’ is not a story I could have told 10
years ago because I was not the person I am today," he explains.
"It was the perfect story for me two years ago when South Africa
was experiencing momentous changes. At the same time, there were
also changes inside myself, in terms of age and reconciling
things."
Fugard’s initial fascination with "Valley Song" was based on the
dynamics between age and youth. He was drawn to the potential of
the play in telling the archetypal theme of human aging.
But often it is the social issues which stand out in Fugard’s
work. His writings about apartheid, inter-racial relationships and
social classes have often sparked controversy.
"I’ve been called a political playwright and the label is
justified because plays do reflect some political and social
dynamics," he says. "But I had to pay the price. There were
instances, such as when the government took away my passport and
made my life difficult in many ways; but now South Africa has
changed."
The changes in South Africa have affected Fugard in more ways
than one. Calling South Africa’s new political changes "a tonic,"
Fugard attributes the youthful excitement and freedom of South
Africa to igniting his 65-year-old self at a time when he should be
waning in energy.
"I mustn’t say that it feels like I’ve been writing too long,"
Fugard says of his 40-year career. "The truth is, I haven’t got
enough of the process left for all the stories left to tell."
He sees his writing as a useful tool, not just for his readers,
but for himself.
"There are the stories about others which allow for some telling
about me," Fugard admits. "I’m not interested in stardom-based
theater where theater is grand, vain and full of stardom Â
that’s not the theater I’m into. Being as clean, faithful and
efficient as possible to get stories into lives of others Â
that’s what I’m into."
Though it typically takes nine months for Fugard to complete a
work after he begins writing, there is always a long period spent
collecting thoughts, images, emotions  everything needed for
a good story.
When he is involved with another project, he often feels the
call of the writer within. "Be who you are," he says, describing
his inner voice. "Go back to Port Elizabeth and write and play and
work." Even Fugard himself admits to craving the beauty of writing
once more.
"Now the play runs in L.A., but by the time we play at the
Kennedy Center, I think it will be about time to leave ‘Valley
Song’ and time to continue to the next piece," he says.
Fugard first started directing out of necessity; otherwise, his
plays would never have been performed. But now that he’s tasted
success, he wants to cut back on directing.
Attributing this direction as "more sensible" in order to
concentrate on writing, Fugard relies more and more on his
designer, associate director and trusted colleague, Susan Hilferty,
to help direct.
Besides the material in Fugard’s next work, an autobiography in
the form of a play titled "Captain’s Tiger: A Memoir for the
Stage," Fugard says there are subjects he finds tempting but
dangerous to write about.
"There are secrets which are best … avoided  or until I
might have the courage later on to write them."
However, audiences seem more than satisfied with what he’s
written so far.
"It’s incredibly heartwarming. In my own country it was
marvelous to see how they reacted and took the play as a parable of
the challenges South Africa now faces," Fugard says.
Outside of South Africa, Fugard has found that many people who
care about the play are receiving messages about age, child raising
and family unity. For Fugard, it’s all part of a universal
story.
THEATER: "Valley Song" plays at the Mark Taper Forum through
April 26. Tickets cost between $10 and $34. Information: (213)
972-0700.