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The Syringa Tree: The Play
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92 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 3, 2024
Another impactful choice for #12PlaysIn12Months readalong.
As always, after reading this play, I immediately wanted to see the stage version.
The play shows us South Africa through the eyes of young white girl Elizabeth. Her innocent observations highlight the division and danger experienced in Apartheid South Africa. Coming from a Jewish/Catholic family, Lizzie and her parents court danger themselves through their liberal sympathies. Lizzie adores her Nanny Salamina and sees herself as protector of Salamina's "illegal" daughter Moliseng. While Elizabeth's life is often happy, tragedy and prejudice are never far away.
There are ties of friendship which transcend race but there is also brutality and violence and the contrasting fortunes and possibilities for the two children show the inequality of Apartheid life.
Although South Africa is "home" to both Lizzie and Moliseng, only Lizzie has the option to leave. Despite sharing in the injustice, the privilege is one-sided.
An engaging and thought-provoking play.
As always, after reading this play, I immediately wanted to see the stage version.
The play shows us South Africa through the eyes of young white girl Elizabeth. Her innocent observations highlight the division and danger experienced in Apartheid South Africa. Coming from a Jewish/Catholic family, Lizzie and her parents court danger themselves through their liberal sympathies. Lizzie adores her Nanny Salamina and sees herself as protector of Salamina's "illegal" daughter Moliseng. While Elizabeth's life is often happy, tragedy and prejudice are never far away.
There are ties of friendship which transcend race but there is also brutality and violence and the contrasting fortunes and possibilities for the two children show the inequality of Apartheid life.
Although South Africa is "home" to both Lizzie and Moliseng, only Lizzie has the option to leave. Despite sharing in the injustice, the privilege is one-sided.
An engaging and thought-provoking play.
January 1, 2025
I really wanted to like it, but I found so much of it just so confusing. I would say it plays better on stage, but I had gotten the script in hopes of clearing up some of my confusion after watching a production.
Like many memory plays, it jumped around too much and left too many things unclear for my tastes. I ended it feeling lost and frustrated.
Like many memory plays, it jumped around too much and left too many things unclear for my tastes. I ended it feeling lost and frustrated.
June 29, 2010
AGAIN NO SPOILERS
I recommend reading The Syringa Tree: A Novel, rather than the play version which is reviewed here. Through both the play (and the novel) you get a glimpse of South Africa immediately underhe apartheid, seen through the eyes of Elizabeth from age 6 and up. Class, race and anti-samitism are all juxtaposed. The author grew up in South Africa. This play grows from an event in her childhood. In the drama version I saw and felt it all. An emotional piece and amazing since in the dramatical production props are extremely sparse, often just a swing hanging from an imaginary tree. The tree is not visible on stage. Originally there was only ONE actor who played all parts. This was achieved by the actor expressing different characters through different body movements and voice dialects. Clothing is nondescript, earthy in tone and never changed. I STILL do not understand how using only one actor is possible when several characters are interacting on the stage.
Reading drama is like just getting the skeleton of a story. Like a very concise outline with the most essential ingredients listed. I was surprised how emotionally absorbing the drama became, given the paucity of supporting details. I would recommend reading the novel instead, as I had in fact planned. I believe it would have received more points. DO read this in one form or another.
BEFORE STARTING: Ooops I ordered the drama version, not the novel. It will be good for me to read drama for a change
I recommend reading The Syringa Tree: A Novel, rather than the play version which is reviewed here. Through both the play (and the novel) you get a glimpse of South Africa immediately underhe apartheid, seen through the eyes of Elizabeth from age 6 and up. Class, race and anti-samitism are all juxtaposed. The author grew up in South Africa. This play grows from an event in her childhood. In the drama version I saw and felt it all. An emotional piece and amazing since in the dramatical production props are extremely sparse, often just a swing hanging from an imaginary tree. The tree is not visible on stage. Originally there was only ONE actor who played all parts. This was achieved by the actor expressing different characters through different body movements and voice dialects. Clothing is nondescript, earthy in tone and never changed. I STILL do not understand how using only one actor is possible when several characters are interacting on the stage.
Reading drama is like just getting the skeleton of a story. Like a very concise outline with the most essential ingredients listed. I was surprised how emotionally absorbing the drama became, given the paucity of supporting details. I would recommend reading the novel instead, as I had in fact planned. I believe it would have received more points. DO read this in one form or another.
BEFORE STARTING: Ooops I ordered the drama version, not the novel. It will be good for me to read drama for a change
August 5, 2010
One of my favorite plays. Heartwrenching. Perfectly and sensitively captures growing up as a white child of liberal parents in apartheid-era South Africa. When I saw it in NYC, I couldn't stop crying. Will see again at American Players Theatre later this month. Cant wait!
May 22, 2007
I have not yet read the novel version of this play, but if it is as simply honest and moving as the play, it is highly recommended!
June 1, 2012
I saw this play when I was in high school and loved it. The story brought me to tears at the end. It's an amazing tail, and reading it was a joy.
November 20, 2013
3½ to four ☆s. I need to see it staged; it is hard to imagine it all done by one person.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews