A play written after the statue of imperialist Cecil Rhodes was removed from the University of Cape Town in 2015 is now available to watch online.
Devised and performed by seven of the university’s students, The Fall charts their experiences as activists committed to bringing the statue down, as well as the college’s failure to decolonise its campus and curriculum. It explores how race, class, gender, power and history intersect.
After huge success in South Africa, the play ran at the Edinburgh Fringe and transferred to the Royal Court in 2017. The Standard’s review called the storytelling “dynamite” and labelled it “a valuable and vital piece of theatre”.
The South African State Theatre have released a filmed version of the play, as people continue to protest the existence of the Cecil Rhodes statue at Oriel College in Oxford.
The college’s governors voted to bring it down but Rhodes Must Fall campaigners have expressed doubts over follow-through and said they will continue protesting until it has been taken down.
You can watch the play now here:
The Fall will be available to watch online until June 30.
