(Pic: Thuli Zama, who alternates in the role with Mpume Mthombeni)Multiple award winning production for Catalina Theatre en route to Grahamstown.
Neil Coppen’s multiple award winning production, Tin Bucket Drum directed by Karen Logan, comes to the Catalina Theatre in Wilson’s Wharf between May 12 and 25 before making its way to this year’s National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
Weaving together elements of magic realism, shadow puppetry, Afro-Kabuki and live percussion, Tin Bucket Drum throws a fresh twist on the traditional conventions of African story-telling. This year’s new star cast sees Mpume Mthombeni alternating the role with Thuli Zuma, with percussive support by Wake Mahlobo.
Critically acclaimed Tin Bucket Drum received standing ovations at the Grahamstown and Hilton Arts festivals and won the Durban Theatre Award for best new Script and Audience Vote award for Best Production at Musho 2007.
It was also featured as The Star (“Thekweni Brilliance!” said Adrienne Sichel); Pretoria Times, The Herald and The Witness (“Mesmerizing! Undoubtedly it’s the hidden gem of this year’s festival” said Ryan Calder) newspapers’ number one pick of the Grahamstown Fringe Festival 2007. It has also been taught to students as part of the UCT Drama school first year syllabus.
The play follows the story of Nomvula, a child born into a silent dictatorship with a revolutionary heart-beat. It doesn’t take long before she is singled out by the authorities as a 'weapon of mass disturbance' and banished to the great wells on the outskirts of the town. Armed with a tin bucket and pair of drum sticks, will Nomvula manage to break the silence for once and for all?
In its close and minutely explored world, Tin Bucket Drum takes a broad swipe at age-old global systems of restriction enforced for personal gain by those in power, and the way these restrictions affect the man on the ground. It tackles contemporary South African issues of human rights, oppression, corruption, freedom and poverty in a unique and enlightening way. Above all, it looks optimistically at the healing power of creativity.
Directed by Karen Logan, written and designed by Neil Coppen, Tin Bucket Drum will be followed by a short discussion with the director and the cast, who will talk about the creative process as well as discuss pertinent issues covered in the production.
Performances at the Catalina are from May 12 to 25 May at 11h00 daily with evening performances at 20h00 from Thursday to Saturday (Sundays at 18h00). The production is perfect for students from Grade 6 to 12. Bookings through Thandeka on 031 305 6889 or online on www.strictlytickets.com
Tickets R70 (R50 students & pensioners) with school block bookings at R40 per scholar (1 ticket free for the teacher for every 10 booked) and R40 for scholars for the 11h00 performances from Monday to Friday.
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