Tyler?

Yes?

My name is Randall Moore.

How do you do. Can help you with something?

Well, yes.

What?

I should've realized I didn't expect to be welcomed. You don't know who I am, do you?

Should I?

I've been trying to reach you for several days. I'm from the Coalition. The Coalition for the Liberation of South African People.

Oh, I see.

Yes. I wish you'd return my calls.

Well, we've been extremely busy getting ready for our festival. We're producing a different play each week for six weeks.

We're aware of your agenda . . .

And the first one opens tonight . . .

And are you still planning to have Oliver Manzi and Robert Obosa perform?

They're our guest artists, yes.

You intend to ignore the Coalition's request?

Well, I wouldn't say ignore . . .

Simply not agree to it, then.

I thought I'd made our position clear, I recall speaking to someone — someone else, not yourself. l explained there was nothing we could do.

Which is why I was asked to step in.

In what capacity?

As their attorney.

You work for them then?

I do some work for them. When I'm needed. As a volunteer, of course.

Of course.

I support the goal of a free South Africa.

Well, so do I.

There, you see? We've already found an area of common agreement. I'm sure we'II be able to count on your cooperation.

Well, actually . . . no. I simply can't do what your Coalition asks.

Let me clarify the lines of authority here. You are the director of this festival?

Yes, over-all. I'm also directing the play these two actors are appearing in.

I see. But it was your decision which artists to invite?

Yes.

Then you have the authority to cancel, to, say— disinvite anyone on the program?

I suppose so.

So you can do what we ask. It's only a question of whether you will or not.

You realize this isn't my theatre. I don't run it. I'm an independent, hired by the Board of Trustees to organize the festival.

Should I meet with the Board?

Well, you can't . . .

No?

The members aren't all in one place.

Can you call them together?

Not on such short notice . . .

Why not?

It's just not possible . . .

And not really necessary. The choice is yours, isn't it?

But I'm answerable to the Board . . .

We're all answerable to someone, Mr. Tyler. Can you or can't you make the decision on your own?

Yes, I can.

Good. "The International Theatre Festival was conceived as a celebration of Theatre, and as a means of bringing artists of diverse national origin to the attention of our city for the betterment of our cultural life." Very admirable.

Thanks.

The Coalition would like very much to support your festival. We can help you. But we can not agree with the political statement you are making by including a production by members Of the Cape Town Theatre Company.

We're not making any political statements.

Maybe not deliberately, but the implications . . .

What implications?

This production will be seen as a sign of approval of the South African government.

I don't see why. We're talking about two celebrated actors who've performed practically all over the world.

We're aware of their reputations.

I've never heard it suggested that their work showed approval of their government. Quite the opposite.

They are still South African.

But they're black. Do you know that?

Yes. Even so, to allow them to perform here would show that we' re willing to have cultural exchange with South Africa . . .

Not with South Africa with two actors who happen to be South African.

...And would be a violation of the boycott. We must maintain the boycott, Mr. Tyler. Its the only way for the civilized world to deal with South Africa.

We're not trying to deal with anything. We're doing a play.

But you could be doing much more. You have a chance here to make a real contribution. In return, we'll . . .

You mean if I cancel the production.

. . . Yes . . .

I can't . . . I won't do that. I won't have these two men become pawns in some political game.

This is hardly a game, Mr. Tyler. Let me explain what I'm asking you to do . . .

Please don't.

But we can help you . . . help the festival . . .

I don't need your help, and I don't want it. Look, I'm sorry. I'm sure you think you're doing the right thing. But I don't believe you can help the cause of freedom in South Africa by stifling the freedom of expression here in America. You'll end up victimizing two of the men you profess to be trying to help.

We're not stifling anyone's freedom. We're trying to help millions gain their freedom, and giving up a single production in a theatre festival seems a very small price to pay.

I'm sure it does, to you. And you might be right, if it would somehow lead to what you want, but it won't.

We disagree . . .

Yes, that's obvious.

What happens here will have a major effect on the international situation.

You can't really believe that.

Yes, we can. And we do. I have to advise you that if you're unwilling to agree to our request, we're prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to stop the production.

What steps?

We'll exercise our right to protest.

Well, I can't stop you from doing that.

You stop us? It's quite the other way around. If we have to stop this production, we intend to stop the entire festival.

Oh? How?

By eliminating your audience.

Are you going to shoot them?