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.
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