(Vusi Makhanya (centre) in a scene from the
production)
An innovative brand
new international operatic drama – The
Last Anniversary – is the culmination of creative input from five countries.
After an extensive European tour, it can be seen in South Africa and Durban is
included on its tour when it will be presented at Stable Theatre on October 24
and 25
The Last Anniversary features an original score described as an
eclectic combination of beautiful operatic music, and a selection of new
fusion-style African and European jazz music in a drama that centres on the
racial profiling as encountered in immigration and travels around the world.
The production is
the creative component of an initiative known as the Hopes and Memories project.
Over the last two years, the Hopes and Memories project has been ongoing
between performing arts groups in South Africa, France, the Czech Republic,
Slovakia and Hungary co-funded by the European Union and the respective
partners.
Co-artistic
directors Laurent Festas (FR) and Themi Venturas (RSA), who have teamed up to
create the dramaturgy of The Last
Anniversary, have assembled a cast drawn from all five countries which
includes opera singers, actor/ dancers, the musicians and a highly skilled
production team.
Durban dancers Vusi
Makhanya and Mdu Mtshali team up with Caroline Lemiere, Ikki Hoshino and
Bertrand Festas from Euroculture en Pays Gentiane in France, and Ezther Sarlos
from Zero Ballet in Hungary to make up the group of actor/dancers. Thabang
Edward Phiri from Gauteng and Zenneth Cibane from Durban team up with Till
Fechner to provide the operatic voices in the piece.
The Last Anniversary can be seen at the Stable Theatre in Durban
on October 24 and 25 at 19h00. Tickets R100 (R50 concessions) booked through
Computicket; or phone on 0861 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com
The production then moves to Johannesburg
where it will appear at the Market Theatre from October 30 to November 2.
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