Lynn Nottage’s Ruined is set in a small mining town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it follows a life of the tenacious Mama Nadi, a businesswoman who is trying to stay afloat in a world torn apart by civil war. The war has ravaged her country, and especially the young girls who have literally been torn to pieces by soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
Mama Nadi takes “damaged” girls into her brothel/bar and profits from them, but also protects them from the brutality of the world outside her doors. As such, the women do a fragile dance between hope and disillusionment in an attempt to navigate life on the edge of an unforgiving conflict.
We also meet soldiers and commanders on both sides of the conflict, all frequent customers at Mama’s bar. Ruined was developed during playwright Lynn Nottage’s pilgrimage to Africa, where she interviewed girls and women who themselves were, and continue to be, the battleground upon which war is fought.
Mama Nadi Played by Hlengiwe Lushaba Madladla
Sophie Played by Fulu Mugovhani
Josephine Played by Sami Maseko
Commander Osembenga by Molefi Monaisa
Fortune and Jerome Kisembe Played by Thapelo Sebogodi
