But I think theatre in a repressive society is an immensely exciting event and theatre in a luxurious old, affluent old society like ours is an entertaining event.

Her grandfather Max Sonnenberg was a member of the South African parliament and Janet Suzman is a niece of civil rights/anti-apartheid campaigner Helen Suzman. Later years
Back in her native South Africa Janet Suzman has directed Othello which was also televised and Brecht's The Good Woman of Setzuan (renamed The Good Woman of Sharpeville) both at the Market Theatre Johannesburg. This was followed by A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (1972) opposite Alan Bates.