John collapses in hysterical laughter, and Winston grows angry and almost refuses to do the role. Five days later, Winston tries on his costume, false breasts and a wig made of rope. John then pretends to phone his friend Scott in Port Elizabeth: sending love to Winston's wife, and to his own, their mood suddenly becomes subdued. John reminds Winston that he must prepare for his role as Antigone in a prison concert in six days' time and talks the rather slow-witted Winston through the plot of Sophocles' Antigone and her trial for burying her brother Polyneices, a traitor to the state. The (unseen) sadistic guard Hodoshe ( = ‘carrion-fly’) subjects them to humiliating punishments and beatings.
AT: Die Hodoshe Span A: Athol Fugard, with John Kani and Winston Ntshona Pf: 1973, Cape Town Pb: 1974 G: Drama in 1 act S: Robben Island prison, c.1970 C: 2mJohn and Winston have been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment on Robben Island for burning their passbooks.
