iLembe will be presented in association between The Playhouse Company and
the Sibikwa Arts Centre and will be will be staged at the Playhouse in April
and May 2014 as part of The Playhouse Company’s New Stages season. iLembe is a potent drama depicting the
last few months of the reign of King Shaka before his death. Auditions will be
held from October 7 to 12, 2013.
For many years, the earliest writings about
Shaka by white traders and officials remained unquestioned because of the
acceptance of the written word. It took many years for the oral tradition to
gain respect. These two perspectives – written and oral - are often
contradictory and have set up contested positions around the famous warrior.
Contradiction and tension are the hallmarks of good drama and iLembe promises to entertain while
provoking food for thought. The story will be told via the perspectives of four
individuals.
iLembe will be written and directed by the multi award winning team of
Smal Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz. These two playwrights and directors have received
Naledi Life Time Achievement Awards and have been acknowledged by The Star
newspaper as being among the top ten contributors in South Africa to the
performing arts. The music for the production will be composed by Themba
Mkhize, two-time SAMA award winner and a respected South African musician.
The directors seek to audition male dancers
between the ages of 20 and 30 years who can sing and have training in contemporary
and African dance. The dancers are required to prepare a short dance piece and
a song.
The directors are looking for three women above
the age of 35 who have some storytelling experience and can sing and play
traditional South African bow instruments. The traditional musical instruments
must be brought to the audition. These candidates are required to prepare a
song and a story.
Also required is a female actress above the
age of 30 who can play Shaka’s half-sister. Actresses auditioning for this role
will need to prepare a short monologue and tell a story.
A further requirement is a young male actor
between the ages of 22 to 30 to play Henry Fynn, an Englishman who came to the
Cape Colony in search of opportunity and adventure who arrived at Shaka’s kraal,
was well received by him and remained. This candidate should prepare a short
monologue and tell a story.
Aspirant performers must have professional
experience. Auditions will take place at The Playhouse in the Arts
Administration Building, Rehearsal Room A1 from October 7 to 12 between 09h30 and
16h30 daily.
To book an audition slot, contact Phyllis
Klotz on 011 422 4359 or email phyllis@sibikwa.co.za
by 12 noon on October 4.
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