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Monday, April 8, 2013

PLAYHOUSE 2013 COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVAL



The Playhouse Company will host its fourth Community Arts Festival (CAF) in the Playhouse Loft Theatre between April 11 and 20.

As previously, the Festival features productions from KZN communities which have received performance and theatre skills training from professional arts practitioners under the aegis of The Playhouse Company. Four productions will feature on this year’s CAF roster: a Triple Bill featuring Talking Spirit, Umlabalaba and Zion (Programme 1); and Sugar Daddies (Programme 2).

Industry professionals signed by The Playhouse Company to work with this year’s community artists include Edmund Mhlongo (mentor and director); Ralph Lawson (directing and acting); Caroline Smart (voice production); Peter Gardner (agents and auditions), Juan Burgers (music and singing); Ashwin Singh (script writing, contracts and copyright); Peter Court (masks and physical theatre), Dr Emma Durden (administration & artistic management), Megan Levy (stage management), and Nkanyiso Kunene and Sandile Mbili (movement and dance).

CAF Programme 1:
Umlabalaba (named after a board game) is a two-hander, scripted and directed by Mfanafuthi Mbokazi, who appears opposite Sandile Mazibuko. Devised as an analogy for government, this piece takes a caring look at the common man. Sixteen years after achieving democracy, many black people are still without employment. Two friends have been without work since completing matric. One day, while playing Umlabalaba, they decide to join a local drama group in an attempt to turn their lives around despite the fact that the odds are stacked against them.

Zion, a Newcastle Arts Development project, is directed by Phelelani Mzimela. When a man is wounded in his own psychological development he is not able to give his daughter the care and guidance she needs. Inheriting these wounds from her father, Zion finds her ability impaired to express herself professionally, intellectually, sexually and socially. At the age of 25, Zion is embarking on a journey to break the bitter cycle in order to rejoice in her womanhood. This piece is performed by Nomasonto Dlamini, Thembeni Mpungose, Slindokuhle Mthethwa, Lethabo Nong, Paballo Sithe and Mxolisi Sibiya.

Talking Spirit, an Emuhle All Artists project, speaks about the hard-hitting issues of abortion, correctional rape and murder that often results from this. It is directed by Bongani Baai and performed by Londiwe Cele, Nomathemba Kawula, Sanelisiwe Mabine, Zakithi Mavundla, Nozuko Ncayiyane and Londiwe Ngwazi.

This absorbing programme of three works can be seen in the Playhouse Loft from April 11 to 13 with performances at 11h00, 14h00 and 18h00. Admission is free. 

CAF Programme 2:
Sugar Daddies looks head-on at the social issue widely prevalent today of older, often married, men with financial means having very young girlfriends. These girls are often seeking a way to achieve a better lifestyle without considering the consequences and implications of their actions. The irresponsible behaviour of these older men (sugar daddies) brings ruin to the lives of their own families and those of the young women they engage with. This work is directed by Edmund Mhlongo with a cast that includes Ngcebo Cele, Heather Gielink, Annalisa Gxabu, Vumani Khumalo, Nompilo Maphumulu, Phumlani Ngubane, Sandile Nxumalo and Snelisiwe Radebe.

Sugar Daddies can be seen in the Playhouse Loft from April 17 to 20. Performances are 11h00, 14h00 and 18h00. Admission is free. The production will also tour to schools in KZN.