Review: A Good House, Royal Court Theatre - punchy, provocative and funny
19/01/2025
Thought-provoking, challenging and funny in a play is a difficult combination to get right, but the production of Amy Jeptha's play A Good House at the Royal Court Theatre does just that.
Bonolo (Mimi M Khayisa) and Sihle (Sifiso Mazibuko) are relatively new to the neighbourhood of Stillwater when a mysterious shack appears on a vacant plot with no sign of its inhabitants.
The couple are befriended by their neighbours Lynette (Olivia Darnley) and Chris (Scott Sparrow) to be the face of a campaign to get it removed. Awkwardly polite negotiations about what they should do begin over mature brie and good vintage red wine.
Changing wall hangings, sofa positions and cushions represent the different living rooms in this smart, affluent enclave.
First, it is the homes of Banolo and Sihle and Lynette and Scott, but then we meet young couple Jess (Robyn Rainsford) and Andrew (Kai Luke Brummer), whose house looks out onto the shack.
Their gatherings to discuss what the shack means for the neighbourhood and what they should do expose assumptions, resentments and prejudices around race and social status - particularly when it comes to housing. It raises questions about fitting in, authenticity and how far you should go to assimilate.
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