The Working Man, an original and compelling new stage three-hander, can be seen at the Catalina Theatre at Wilson’s Wharf in Durban from July 30 to August 9.

The play uses elements of storytelling, live music and physical theatre, The Working Man depicts the life story of Sipho, a young man who dreams of becoming a dancer but is pressured by both the community in which he lives and by his father, to work in the mines because that’s what a “real man” does.

Each episode in his story is constructed in a minimalist fashion using nothing more than two black blocks, the actors’ physicality, and monologues to illustrate the different fragments of Sipho’s life.

The play has been written by Sboniso Msimango, is directed by Brandon Moulder, and stars Nqobile Mthembu, Sboniso Msimango and Mfundiseni Ndwalane.

In constructing and presenting The Working Man, the show’s creative team state that “as a collective, we lend ourselves more to minimalistic styles of theatre performances and setting. We believe that with the body as a site of performance, the voice and most importantly, the narrative should lead and indicate the actions. We are merely vessels and the narrative belongs to the people.”

Performances are at 7 pm Thursday to Saturday and at 2 pm on Sunday. Tickets are R80 (R50 concessions) at Computicket or at the door.