Coming up at the Hexagon Theatre in Pietermaritzburg are
three plays: Antigone; The Island and
Woza Albert.
ANTIGONE: May 8-13 at 18h30 (no performance on May 10)
Antigone is based
on the play by Jean Anouilh. When her dead brother is declared a traitor and
his body left unburied outside the city walls, Antigone is faced with a dilemma
– obey the edict decreed by her Uncle Creon and the State or bury her brother,
to ensure his safe passage to the underworld, and face the punishment of death.
Her personal allegiance wins out and her brazen act sets in motion the wheels
of destruction. Based on Anouilh’s adaptation of the original text by
Sophocles, and directed by Louise Buchler, the play explores themes of familial
love versus duty to the state and presents audiences with a prime example of
how antiquity and modernity meet – most pertinently in the character of
Antigone, who remains a symbol of feminine revolt.
Produced by The Hexagon Theatre, the title role of Antigone
is played by Sade Wagner, alongside Nicolas Hughes as Creon. They are supported
by a talented cast of local performers: Francis Mennigke, Tanya Nicolson, Erin
Fourie, Shivani Hariparsad and Edward Pepperell. Tickets R70/R50.
There will be a special double bill of Antigone and The Island
on May 13 at 18h30 - (Tickets R100/R80) for the Double Bill)
THE ISLAND: May 13 at
20h15 (double bill with Antigone) and
May 15 at 18h30 (single performance)
John and Winston are two prisoners on Robben Island, bound
by ideology, proximity, shackles and a deep affection. As they rehearse Antigone for the prison concert, John
learns that his release is imminent; Winston is a lifer. This classic South
African play by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona balances hope and
despair as it exposes the depths of cruelty and inhumanity while affirming the
dignity and courage of the human spirit. Under the direction of Peter Mitchell,
TQ Zondi and Mpilo Nzimande deliver riveting performances of this South African
classic. Tickets R70/R50
WOZA ALBERT!: May 14 at
18h30
This classic of South African theatre by Barney Simon,
Mbongeni Ngema and Percy Mtwa asks what would happen if Christ (Morena) came
back to 1980’s apartheid South Africa. The show is primarily a satire that
highlights the absurdities of apartheid and displays the talents of two
dextrous actors, TQ Zondi and Mpilo Nzimande, who play a range of ordinary
characters on the street. Directed by Peter Mitchell, the show looks back after
21 years of democracy and reminds us of the tragic lunacy that was apartheid,
as well as the continued search for compassionate, intelligent and humane
leadership. This production hopes to recreate a theatrical period in South African
history, as well as look back from a new perspective at what changed the face
of poor theatre worldwide. Tickets R70/R50.
All bookings on email hexagon@ukzn.ac.za
The Hexagon Theatre is situated on the UKZN Pietermaritzburg Campus.
Posts
