What are the limits of empathy? Can fear and compassion genuinely coexist? A Human Being Died That Night explores these grey areas (and more) when it brings the true story of South Africa's most notorious apartheid era assassin to the BAM Fisher May 29–June 21. Context is everything, so get even closer to the production with this curated selection of articles, videos, and opinion pieces related to the show. For those of you who've already attended a performance, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below and by posting on social media using #AHumanBeingDiedThatNight.
Program Notes
Related Events
Post-Show Discussion with Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (Fri, May 29)
Led by Bryan Doerries, this conversation with the A Human Being Died That Night author immediately follows the 7:30 PM performance and is free for same day ticket holders.
BAM Gathering: A Human Being Died That Night (Jun 9 & 13)
Together with a panel of community members and the audience, Bryan Doerries explores the play’s themes of power, otherness, violence, and forgiveness in apartheid-era South Africa—and their resonance closer to home. Immediately follows the 7:30 PM performance on Tue, Jun 9 and the 2:00 PM performance on Sat, Jun 13.
Read
Parsing Pure Evil (BAM blog)
Eric Grode examines the play's "power to enlighten and educate as well as to move and inspire audiences.” Interview with a Torturer (The New York Times)
Follow the unexpected journey of an ugly piece of South Africa’s past to a London stage.A Cup of Tea with... A Human Being Died That Night actor Noma Dumezweni (Hampstead Theatre)
Noma Dumezweni chats with the Hampstead Theatre about acting playing the role of Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela.
With the recent announcement of de Kock's parole after just 20 years in prison, international debate rages on the ethicality of the court's ruling:
- Can an Evil Man Change? (The New York Times)
Poet, journalist, and author Antjie Krog explains how Mr. de Kock is a problem for South African society precisely because he presents the capacity of an evil man to change.
- No one should have to bump into Eugene de Kock in the supermarket (Politicsweb)
Brent Meersman says the former Vlakplaas commander is in that select category of criminals who should be kept in jail.
- Should the apartheid regime’s “Prime Evil” be released? (New Statesman)
The play’s producer, former journalist and activist Eric Abraham writes about forgiving de Kock.
Look & Listen
A Human Being Died That Night on This Day Live (YouTube)
Actors Matthew Marsh and Noma Dumezweni discuss how they came to understand their characters, meeting Eugene de Kock, audience reactions to the play in South Africa, and how Desmond Tutu told them the play was continuing the efforts of Truth and Reconciliation.
South Africa's Apartheid Assassin (YouTube)
“Eugene de Kock is a soldier. If he’s ordered to do killings, he’ll kill. That was his job.”
Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela: Forgiveness is possible (YouTube)
A Human Being Died That Night's scribe on the possibility of forgiveness and the importance of empathy.
A Human Being Died That Night's scribe on the possibility of forgiveness and the importance of empathy.
How was the show? Likes? Dislikes? Surprises? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below and on social media using #AHumanBeingDiedThatNight.