MACBEKI: A FARCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

Market Theatre presents Pieter Dirk Uys’s latest production inspired by Shakespeare…and some comrades.

A new South Africa farce opened at the Market Theatre on April Fool's Day! With previews from March 29, this transgressive variation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth by South Africa's legendary satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys, gives literal expression to Karl Marx's famous maxim that 'history repeats itself as tragedy and then as farce'.

MacBeki sparkles and fizzles with Uys's particular satirical genius. And while the drama round Lord MacBeki draws inspiration from Shakespeare's drama about ambition, power, deceit and greed, it exists independent of it. Written mid-2008, the comedy takes place in Luthuli Castle where the aging King Maduba (Arthur Molepo) is nearing the end of his reign. In the wings, successors plot and scheme, including the favourite son Lord Ramabanquo (Mpho Osei-Tutu), Lord MacBeki (Fezile Mpela) and the ambitious alcoholic Lady Manta (Nthati Moshesh).

A host of other characters, including Lord MacZum (Sello Sebotsane), Prince McTrev (Coco Merckel) and The Porter (Lizz Meiring) are drawn into the fantastic fray. And in another flash of inspiration, the three witches from Macbeth have been reinvented as journalists (Renate Stuurman, Kenneth Fok and Meme Ditshego).

This is the first theatrical rendering in 15 years that directly confronts and exposes those who would wield enormous power over our lives. And all this in an election year. The relief at seeing these 'remote' figures pilloried and exposed in such a hilarious fashion is cathartic and downright good for democracy.

With the Market Theatre production of MacBeki - a farce to be reckoned with, designed by Nicholas de Klerk, writer and director Pieter-Dirk Uys draws together the many strands that contribute to his singular status as one of the most important, influential and versatile public voices in the country.

MacBeki - a farce to be reckoned with, runs at the Market Theatre until May 3.