In the luxurious, gated community of StillWater, three families – two white and one black – are enjoying their protected lives when a mysterious shack springs up on a patch of land near their homes.
It sparks fear and concern among some living there that the shack’s inhabitants, who no one sees throughout the 90-minute play, could bring down their house prices and pose risks to their safety.
The shack also makes each character question their own identity, prejudices and how far they will go to feel like they fit in.
Humour paired with awkward scenes – on par to David Brent moments in The Office – are peppered throughout the play.
From stomach-chunching “misunderstandings”, when Andrew (Kai Brummer) mistakes his neighbours Sihle (Sifiso Mazibuko) and Bonolo (Mini Khayisa) for being the owner of the shack because they are black, to when Christopher (Scott Sparrow) makes a confused speech about it currently being the “climate” for black people to be promoted in work, there are plenty of uncomfortable conversations that shine a light on racism throughout this show.
While tense at times, you are never far away from the next joke thanks to writer Amy Jephta’s sharp humour.
And while the shack brings out some of the characters’ worst traits, the beauty of this play is that it explores a lot of universal themes that everyone can relate to.
While Kai comes across as slightly unhinged by the shack, pacing by his window almost day and night to catch a glimpse of whoever put it up, he also voices worries about his home that most people would experience.
He has invested his life into his property, and now fears it could be worthless. He’s also concerned about not fitting into the wealthy world of StillWater because he earns less than the rest of the community.
This idea of both physical and mental attachment to something or someone is something that Sihle wrestles with throughout the play.
We meet him at a cheese and wine soiree at his home – a place decorated with opulent souvenirs from across the world.
He goes out of his way to welcome and accommodate Christopher, despite his neighbour’s insulting comments.
We learn Sihle has “worked hard all his life” to be able to escape his poor childhood growing up in a shack and now wants to enjoy his successes in the peaceful space StillWater offers.
He wants this world to see him differently, and it’s this tension and slinking between different selves that propels the action and drama in the play.
Throughout, the powerful image of the shack keeps popping up on stage, underscoring the play’s main motif: why does anyone have claim to one piece of land, and what would life be like if we gave up our strong ties with the fences and boundaries that we create.
Filled with colourful stage props, songs and humour, this deeply thought-provoking plays offers a mirror back at the audience to question what community means to them, how much of their self have they given up to belong and why belonging is such an instinctive and hungry desire.
A Good House is a triumph of a play that will entertain and move you. It is showing at the Old Vic until 8 March.