PHAMBILI THEATRE FESTIVAL

The Twist Theatre Development Projects groups will perform at the Phambili Theatre Festival from March 9 to 11. The festival is hosted in association with Stable Theatre at Stable Theatre in Johannes Nkosi Street.

The programme is as follows:

March 9 at 18h00: Launch of Roel Twijnstra’s novel Zulu Crush as well as the launch of the 2012 New Scripts Book which contains scripts in both English and Zulu. This will be followed at 19h15 with The Seed, an allegorical tale of AIDS from Umsindo Theatre Productions. Written by Amy Jephta, directed by Musawenkosi Shabalala and Bongomusa Shabalala, and Xolani Dlongolo.

March 10 at 14h00: Ants Job performed by Cebile Mlaba. A thought provoking physical drama – a behind-the-curtain look at the disgraceful life of women of Somalia. Written and directed by Bhekani Biyela.

March 10 at 15h00: Lost Love is a new women’s prison-based drama from the Siyakha Performing Artists. The drama is based in Westville Prison where young girls from Pietermaritzburg are incarcerated after being arrested for drug trafficking and hijackings. These girls share their stories in prison and learn from each other. The play is a warning to young girls about the dangers of a life of crime. Written by Sihle Mazibuko and directed by Dumisani Kubheka

March 10 at 16h00: The Land of Milk and …, a new production from Emuhle All Artists focusing on tradition, expectations, roles and the differences between the world of women and the world of men. In the women’s world, the argument is centred on a traditional court held to decide the traditional social significance of ilobola and its contemporary application. In the men’s world, we meet two prisoners in a hospital grappling with ethics and justice governed by a contemporary context. Slowly, the two worlds converge and we learn the husband and wife are not communicating and that this lack of belief in each other’s integrity has created the chaos around them for which they do not hold themselves accountable. Created by Genbia Hyla, directed by Bongani Baai and mentored by Debbie Lutge.

March 10 at 17h00: Zwelihle from Newcastle Arts Development Oganisation is a musical about three people: iMzomuhle, his wife Dolly, and his mother. iMzomuhle is a noble man who is faithful to his wife. However, following his employer’s company policies, he has to take part in a health inspection. This includes status testing where he finds out that he is HIV positive. This disturbs him considerably because Dolly has been his only sexual partner. Written and directed by Zama Msibi.

March 10 at 18h00: How to Get The Story from Uthando Lwabaqulusi. An award-winning journalist uncovers a deadly secret that exposes a criminal ganglord. His faithful henchman has no choice but to turn on the man he thought was his protector. Created by Bheki Mkhwane.

March 10 at 19h00: A Bull called Bahlangane from Big Brotherhood. This is the story of brothers who come together for their father’s funeral - a family drama of brotherly love, power and corruption all focused on the father’s prize bull. Written by Neil Coppen and directed by Edmund Mhlongo.

March 11 at 13h00: We Salute Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today from the Ubuntubesizwe Arts Development is a musical celebration of the historic 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Written by Xolani Dlongolo and directed by Sthembiso Zwane.

March 11 at 14h00: Living Death performed by Siyathuthuka. A story of aborted children talking about their world of ejection. They aspire to go to heaven but are unable to because they first need to die. They also cannot go back to earth because they are regarded as non-existent. Written and directed by Siya Mthembu.

March 11 at 15h00: Performed by Isiniamuva Theatre Academy, this is a story about a young girl who dreams of her late father who was brutally murdered. Written and directed by Siqiniseko Clifford Khumalo.

A workshop for the Twist groups will also be held during the festival weekend. The workshop focuses on web-building skills and social media, and the anticipated end result is that all of the groups will have created their own independent websites. The workshop is supported by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA).

More information on Twist Theatre Development Projects at http://twistprojects.co.za and on Stable Theatre at www.stabletheatre.co.za