The play is set in Israel and tells the story of two childhood sweethearts who grow up in a strict orthodox Jewish environment. Because of a loss of their unborn child and different belief systems they part ways and both go on to remarry only to have their respective children meet and fall in love 20 years later. This forces them to meet once again and to see that they still have deep feelings for each other despite the passing years and their different beliefs.
Keren Tahor plays the role of Hannah who stays behind in Jerusalem after the breakup of her marriage to Zvi played by Ashley Dowds while he moves on to Tel Aviv to become an author. Ashley Dowds who was born in Israel captures the stubbornness and vulnerability of her character and gives an emotional performance as a truly god fearing wife and mother. Ashley Dowds on the other hand battles a bit with the Israeli accent and is not quite believable as the free thinking and cynical author.
The play battles tough questions about love and religion, duty and freedom. But ultimately becomes quite repetitive and tedious as the two characters are constantly in conflict with each other and themselves and never seem to really resolve anything.
Hard Love runs at the NewSpace Theare in Long Street till 8th March 09. Tickets can be purchased via Computicket or the ticketing hotline on 0741346636 . Performances are Tuesdays to Fridays at 8.15pm, Saturdays at 6pm and 9pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tuesdays are ³buy one get one free² shows with tickets costing R65. The regular ticket price is R130 with special group booking rates available. www.newspacetheatre.co.za
