(Pic by Val Adamson: Muzi Mhlango, Scelo Ngobo and Thabani Mahlogo)If you missed it previously, be sure to catch it now. One of the most delightful shows to have played in Durban this year, Imbumba Production’s mini-musical Happiness Through the Mist, returns to the Catalina Theatre for a brief re-run from September 24 to 27. This follows its Playhouse Loft triumph in May this year and its short schools season at the Catalina Theatre last month.
Happiness Through the Mist depicts the colourful life of Durban’s historic Umkhumbane in the 1950s. Written and directed by Zeph Nzama and starring Thabane Mahlobo, Scelo Ngobo and Muzi Mhlango, with renowned Durban muso Madala Kunene on guitar, Happiness Through the Mist offers popular entertainment for theatregoers of all communities who make up South African society.
A compelling mixture of infectious music, wry humour and dialogue, the show celebrates the extraordinary cultural heritage of Ethekwini’s historic Umkhumbane district, Durban’s equivalent of Johannesburg’s legendary Sophiatown and Cape Town’s former District Six.
Umkhumbane was evacuated and flattened during apartheid to become known as Cato Manor. It was the birth place of many legendary South African artists in all fields. These people grew up in a community which today is remembered as much for its colourful and vibrant community life as for the harsh realities of poverty and material deprivation they endured.
“The aim of our production is to bring people together, from all walks of life and backgrounds,” says Zeph Nzama, one of Durban’s most respected actors and directors. “We want to encourage our brothers and sisters from all race groups in this country to share something of our past with us, so that we can find a common bond for the future. For this reason we have not dwelt on things that separate us from each other: Happiness Through the Mist is conceived as an entertaining and touching production full of humour, energy and all that makes theatre a powerful and lingering experience.”
Performances on September 24 and 25 are at 20h00 and on September 26 at 14 and 20h00 and on September 27 at 14h00. Tickets R50 booked on 031 305 6889.
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