The Suitcase

The Suitcase is a dramatization by James Ngcobo of a short story by Es'kia Mphahlele (1919-2008).

The original short story

The Suitcase was written in 1954. Set in the 1950s and based on an actual event, it centres on a young rural couple, Timi Ngobese and Namhla Ngobese. The couple, despite family disapproval of their marriage, leave for the city. Filled with hope, the husband dreams of returning to the village with his fortune. But this hope fades and, desperate to provide for his pregnant wife, he steals a suitcase left in a bus, an act that dramatically changes his life.

Translations and adaptations

Adapted for the stage by James Ngcobo in 2006. In a revised adaptation in 2012, Ngcobo incorporated live singers and a dancer into the work.

Performance history in South Africa

2006: Directed and adapted by James Ngcobo, it opened at the National Arts Festival, 2006, starring Siyabonga Twala (Timi Ngobese), John Lata, Nqobile Sepamla (Namhla Ngobese) and Mncedisi Shabangu (storyteller) John Lata (storyteller), Chris Gxalaba, Mbulelo Grootboom and Finiswa Yisa. Set and lighting design by Patrick Curtis (1958-). .

2006: Performed at the Barney Simon Theatre, Market Theatre, from 19 July to 20 August.

2012: Directed by James Ngcobo, the revised piece was performed at the opening of the new Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on 16th May 2012.

2017: The Market Theatre production, featuring, among others, Siyabonga Thwala, Masasa Mbangeni, John Lata and Desmond Dube was taken to the UK , where it played at theatres in Hull, Newcastle, Derby and Lancaster before closing at the Everyman Playhouse in Liverpool.