“We want to open the minds of the nation on transgender issues and sex workers alike” Donald Matthys.
This story aims to inform and entertain at the same time. This is not a show in which sex workers get mocked or murdered, rather, sex workers in Battered are given a backstory, something we see rarely on mainstream TV. Sex workers are everyday members of society and that’s exactly how they are portrayed in Battered.
Battered is a play about a woman who received severe beatings from life as a child, rebuilds herself working as a sex worker alongside her transgender friend and newly found housemate. However, every door she shuts, in her pursuit to recovery is starting to open on her, mercilessly exposing her to everything she tries to run away from.
Battered stars Odile Gertze as Yvonne, Adriano Visagie as Robin, Bret Kamwi as Peter, Ebba Shambwila as Mrs. Shivute and Chantell ‘Enchante’ Uiras as Tueripura. It is written and directed by Donald Zlueit Matthys. The play also has a transgender narrative and sees Adriano Visagie take on the role of Robin, a transgender woman.
“I am working with pretty amazing actors who are learning a lot from this experience. I am learning a lot myself. We want to open the minds of the nation on transgender issues and sex workers alike,” said Matthys.
In 2016, Matthys’ theater script Twisted which he also directed, was staged at the National Theater of Namibia. Battered will feature his second play to be staged at the theater.
Battered is produced and fully funded by the National Theater of Namibia (NTN) under its 2018/19 Theater Zone season. The play has dance elements choreographed by Marchell Linus. Jenny Kandenge is the assistant director. Matthys is mentored by Tanya Terblanche.
The production is on stage from 25- 27 April 2019 at the NTN Backstage. Tickets can be purchased for N$50 while students and pensioners pay N$30 at any Computicket outlet nationwide or online https://online.computicket.com/web/event/battered/1285241260
