The Island (play)

The Island focuses on two cellmates, one whose successful appeal means that his release draws near and one who must remain in prison for many years to come.

Tensions arise as the performance approaches, especially when one of the prisoners learns that he has won an early release and the men's friendship is tested.

[1] The Broadway production, presented in repertory with Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, opened on 24 November 1974 at the Edison Theatre, where it ran for 52 performances.

[2] In an unusual move, Kani and Ntshona were named co-Tony Award nominees (and eventual co-winners) for Best Actor in a Play for both The Island and Sizwe Banzi Is Dead.

Notable among them were the Royal National Theatre in 2000,[3] reported at the time as their final production, although they went on to star at the Old Vic in 2002[4] and the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2004.

They tend each other's wounds, share memories of times at the beach and rehearse for the prisoner-performed concert which is imminent.

After John-as-Creon sentences Winston-as-Antigone to be walled up in a cave for having defied him and done her duty towards her dead brother, Winston pulls off Antigone's wig and yells "Gods of Our Fathers!