A fascinating insight into what lies behind received notions of apartheid, Big Boys, now on at Croydon's Warehouse Theatre, is a compelling evening's theatre.

Wandsworth actor Adrian Hughes plays Daniel, a rich, spoilt white South African, who is thrown into jail for drunk-driving, where he shares a cell with "political activist" Solomon (Sibusismo Mamba).

The pair form a friendship which transcends their preconceived notions of each other, in which Daniel learns some hard truths about the reality of his sheltered existence.

Hughes excellently portrays a young man gradually realising the injustice of the system which props up his life-style and genuinely conveys the warmth he begins to feel when the horror and injustice of his cellmate's situation is revealed.

Mamba movingly plays a character barely beyond childhood, who has been jailed in a Catch-22 situation, where he has been victimised in circumstances beyond his control.

His fragility coupled with inner strength are finely expressed, conveying the contradictions of the era.

South African playwright Charles J Fourie has brought to life his experience of 1986, when apartheid was drawing to a close, as black youth from every hamlet struggled against oppression.

Police could detain children as young as 14 indefinitely by branding them political activists.

Policemen many of them black patrolled the townships of their own people, yet everyone continued to watch rugby at the stadium, with many white teenagers taking drugs to escape their uncertain future.

Ian Harry is very good indeed as prison guard, Tokkie, who is essentially a gentle person, but who feels that, as a black man, he is playing it safe by being employed by the oppressor.

However Harry convincingly portrays a man torn by internal doubt and divided loyalties.

Tokkie works under the thumb of his boss, Sant, whose macho posturing only serves to hide his feelings of inadequacy.

He is played menacingly by Philip Rham who brings across well the character's sense of inferiority and his need to constantly prove himself.

The play is directed by Jeremy Bond in the first Stages International collaboration with the playwright, aiming to bring together the best of international theatre.

Charles J Fourie first trained as an overseer in South African goldmines before embarking on his theatrical career. He has written 36 dramatic works, one for every year of his life.

Big Boys continues until July 21. For further details, see the listings.

July 12, 2002 12:00