(Sipho (Zenzo Msomi)
and Andile (Ngcebo Cele) researched the characters they play, through over a
year of undercover research with users and dealers in Kwa-Mashu, Umlazi and
Durban city centre. Pic by Val Adamson
Ulwembu – a poignant,
informative, honest and incisive theatre production about drug addiction, comes
to the Playhouse Loft Theatre for a short season from April 5 to 9.
Over the course of 2015, a dynamic team of story-tellers,
playwrights, theatre-makers, academics and researchers, set about exploring the
Whoonga (low-grade heroin) crises currently plaguing KZN communities.
The result of the two year research/play-making process,
this powerful new theatre production is presented by Empatheatre in association
with the Playhouse Company and Open Society
The creative team consists of award-winning playwright and
director Neil Coppen (Tin Bucket Drum, Abnormal Loads
and Animal Farm)
top local actress Mpume Mtombeni, Kwa-Mashu based community-theatre group, The
Big Brotherhood and educational sociologist Dylan McGarry.
Ulwembu (isiZulu for Spider web), which has been described as ‘poignant’
and “essential” viewing, affords local theatre audiences the opportunity to
walk in the shoes of misunderstood others: be it users, dealers,
police-officers, social-workers or parents of drug users.
“With Whoonga having a catastrophic effect on communities
around South Africa,” says Mthombeni, “the problem needs to be understood and
addressed out in the open.”
Ulwembu, the creative team believe, provides the crucial place for
transformative dialogue to take place, engaging the empathy, intellects and
imaginations of audiences by allowing them to follow a series of characters
realities without judgment or prejudice.
To create the script, the group set out to record oral
histories and testimonials from a broad cross- section of Durbanites before
transforming these accounts into an unforgettable documentary-theatre
experience which is designed to change the way we see and understand each other
as citizens.
“If we want to respond to drugs humanely and comprehensively
in Durban” explains McGarry, “we need to first understand the interwoven and
deeply connected nature of this problem. Our production strives to give this
contentious issue, a more human face and perspective.”
Despite the serious themes, the creative team are quick to
point out that Ulwembu is far from a precautionary “Say no to drugs”
play.
“With this production” urges Coppen, “we wanted to create an
engrossing and visceral theatrical journey for audiences, allowing the power of
the story and the characters escalating dilemmas, to reveal the many
complexities and facets behind the crises.”
The cast includes Mpume Mthombeni,
Vumani Khumalo, Phumlani Ngubane, Ngcebo Cele, Sandile Nxumalo and Zenzo Msomi.
Direction is by Neil Coppen, Design by Dylan McGarry and lighting by Tina Le
Roux.
The Ulwembu team would like to
extend the invite to police officers, social workers, public health
practitioners, families affected by drug use, schools, and other concerned
members of the public to come watch the play. After every performance, the cast
and creative team participate in a post-show exchange with the audience.
Show times scheduled in the Playhouse Loft are as follows:
April 5 and 6 at 09h00 and 12h00; April 7 at 19h00, April 8 at 12h00 and 19h00 and
April 9 at 19h00.
Booking is through Computicket and tickets are R50 for
public performances. Community groups and local organizations can contact Dylan
McGarry at armadylan@gmail.com for free admission. For more information visit
the Ulwembu website at www.ulwembu.net
Ulwembu has been made
possible through the generous support of the Urban
Futures Centre, Twist Theatre Development Project (Twist Durban), Think Theatre
and the generous constant support of the Denis Hurley Centre.
This project is primarily funded
by the Open Society Foundations, as well as Twist Theatre Development Project,
and the Urban Futures Centre