Lee Menzes, Gareth Johnson and Old Vic Productions plc present the Market Theatre of Johannesburg production, last seen at The Royal National Theatre in 2000. Set in the notorious Robben Island prison, The Island is a tribute to the men and women who, with indomitable courage and a longing for freedom, were imprisoned for taking part in the fight for a free and democratic South Africa.

Following its premire in 1973, the play toured internationally and was received with enormous acclaim, including Tony Awards for the two actors. The same production that visited Peter Brook's Bouffes du Nord in Paris and the Stockholm Stadsteater in 1999 and The Royal National Theatre in October 2000 comes to The Old Vic Theatre for limited season.

Athol Fugard is one of the world's foremost playwrights. His other work includes Master Harolds and the Boys, The Road to Mecca and My Children My Africa.