Chipping away

A ways back, I noted that South African playwright Athol Fugard would, once again, allow his latest play, "Victory," to have its American premiere at the Fountain Theatre in Hollywood. Apparently, he had a good experience before with the critically praised "Entrances and Exits" which Stephen Sachs directed at the Fountain back in 2004.

"Victory" will open Jan. 25. It concerns two burglars breaking into the home of a white man in post Apartheid South Africa. Morlan Higgins, who was in "Entrances and Exits," returns for "Victory."

This is about all I'll be able to tell you about "Victory" until after I've seen it. I requested an interview with Mr Fugard and was told he will no longer be conducting interviews. Not for this play. Perhaps not ever.

At this point in his career, I was told, Mr Fugard (who is 75 and lives and teaches in San Diego) concentrates pretty much exclusively on writing.

Which is certainly understandable, if a bit unfortunate for those of us who would like to talk to the man about his writing. I had that privilege once when Fugard's play "Sorrows and Rejoicings" played the Mark Taper Forum in 2002. At that time, Fugard announced that he was done directing his own plays. He had quit acting a few years previously.

I've seen Fugard on stage, and I've seen him direct several of his plays. The art form loses a little bit with each facet of the craft that he renounces. The silver lining, then, is the plays keep coming. The newest one is "Victory." It will be here at the end of the month.

(323) 663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.