In Context: A Human Being Died That Night

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.

Parsing Pure Evil

Noma Dumezweni and Matthew Marsh in A Human Being Died That Night. Photo: Jesse Kramer

By Eric Grode

A well-spoken evildoer in prison clothes, holding (and withholding) key pieces of information. An inquisitive young woman eager to pry open the prisoner’s brain, even at the risk of being engulfed by what spills out.

This confrontation has fueled many a suspense thriller, from Silence of the Lambs to The Blacklist. And the Fugard Theater’s production of A Human Being Died That Night (playing the BAM Fisher May 29—June 21), adapted from the 2003 bestseller by Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, dives into this same sinister tableau after a brief prologue. But director Jonathan Munby said the piece is looking to do a lot more than just set pulses to pounding.

“Nothing feels simplified nor dumbed down, nor does the subject ever feel shrink-wrapped to fit the drama,” Munby said of the piece. Instead, it “has the power to enlighten and educate as well as to move and inspire audiences.”