The Playhouse Company, an Agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, presents its much anticipated annual South African Women’s Arts Festival in Durban running from August 7 to18, 2018. This year marks the 22nd Anniversary of the South African Women’s Arts Festival (SAWAF).
“To celebrate this momentous landmark, our
SAWAF roster is jam packed with frontline shows, featuring South Africa’s
latest and greatest theatrical productions, performers, directors, writers and
choreographers,” says The Playhouse Company’s Chief Executive and Artistic
Director, Linda Bukhosini. “In keeping with Women’s Month, SAWAF’s mix of dance,
drama, music, dialogue, arts and craft, showcases the determination of South
African women to find freedom, respect and equality in our society.”
Wathinta Abafazi, Wathint’Imbokodo
(Pic
by Val Adamson)
In August 1956, over 20,000 women of all
races marched in unison to the Union Buildings in Pretoria protesting against
unjust apartheid pass laws. The march led to significant changes towards the
emancipation of women. The 1986 stage production You Strike the Woman You Strike the Rock commemorated the 30th
anniversary of that event. Now more than six decades on, this fresh new
retrospective, adapted and directed by Matjamela Motloung for the Playhouse
Actors Studio, asks how far have women’s rights progressed, and how much is
still to be achieved? This gripping piece combines novel elements of fashion
and photography with theatre. Runs in The Playhouse
Grand Foyer from August 7 to 11 at 19h30. Tickets R80.
Scars
This powerful new Playhouse Dance Residency
vehicle choreographed by Lulu Mlangeni explores gender stereo-typing, and the
negative effects it causes. By tapping into the energy of unlimited human
imagination, these barriers can be swept aside, freeing up the human race to realize
and rejoice in its full potential, to the benefit of all. Runs in The Playhouse Drama from August 8 to 11 with
performances on August 8 and 10 at 19h00, and August 11 at 14h30 Tickets R80.
Gala Concert
This year, the country also celebrates the
centenary of one of the great daughters of the African soil Mama Albertina
Sisulu, who dedicated her life to fight for the emancipation of women and the
liberation of South Africa, among those who fought relentlessly and played a
significant role to attain the freedom we enjoy today was Mama Winnie Mandela.
The Playhouse Company pays tribute to such icons under the theme “Be The Legacy, with an extravagant concert
starring Khanyo Maphumulo and Gloria Bosman featuring The KZN Philharmonic
Orchestra and the Playhouse Chorale. One performance in the Playhouse Opera on August
11. Tickets R100 - R150.
Ndoni
Musa Hlatshwayo’s compelling new dance
piece pays tribute to the women of KwaZulu-Natal who leave their homes to find
work in the chaos of the city. Combining the use of video and slide projections
with dance, the work unflinchingly evokes a captured journey of multifaceted
moments that cast light on these women in their adopted workspace.Runs in The Playhouse Drama from August 8 to 10 at 20h00
and August 11 at 15h00. Tickets R85
(Pic
by Val Adamson)
Written, directed and developed by Zimkitha
Kumbaca, this intriguing presentation by Onalerona Collaborations incorporates
music, poetry and dance into a satirical work which interrogates the
representation of women in contemporary South African society: Are black woman
at the bottom of the food chain? What is consent culture? Are African skin and
hair being replaced with plastic? Runs in The Playhouse Drama from August 15 to 17 at
19h00 and August 18 at 14h00. Tickets R80.
Womb
of Fire
This multi-award winning one-hander,
exposes the effects of colonialism through the vivid use of allegory. Set
against the episode of the India epic, The
Mahabharata, the play interweaves personal narrative and contemporary
realities with the lives of two women from the founding years of the Cape
Colony to interrogate the Womb of Fire that birthed South Africa. Directed by
Dr Sara Matchett with design by Craig Leo, Womb
of Fire is written and performed by Rehane Abrahams with vocal
accompaniment by Lukhanyiso Skosana.Runs in The Playhouse Loft from August 15 to 17 at
19h30, and on August 18 at 15h00. Tickets R85.
Dialogue: Be the Legacy
Commemorating the legacies of Mama Winnie
Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu, we ask: what can we learn from the legacies
of the past, and how further to we need to progress to ensure a free, safe and
better life for women and girls in South Africa? This session will be chaired
by Professor Deevia Bhana (UKZN), heading a panel that includes Crispin Hemson
(DUT Peace/gender activist); Kwezi Becker (UKZN Student); and Dr Delarise
Mulqueeny (Living with HIV). Takes place in the Playhouse Alhambra Room on August
12 at 12h00. Admission is free.
Arts
and Craft Exhibition: The Secret of Beads
The richness of Zulu culture is celebrated
though beadwork and throws light on social structures and changing customs in
different areas. Curated by Hlengiwe Dube, the fascinating catalogue looks at
the Zulu beliefs system of their ancestors and how they affect the community at
large. These beliefs were crystalised through the intervention of traditional
healers who used beads to express themselves through instructions from the
ancestors. On view in the Alhambra Room throughout the festival, with interactive
displays in the Main Foyer 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 August at 10h00.
Admission is free.
Guitar
Workshop
This exciting element in the SAWAF
programme will be curated by Kelly Grevler of Sidewalk Sessions. Children
between the ages of 6 to 16 will receive free guitar lessons. The event will
feature the performances of Biko & Mana Nhlangothi. The Grand Foyer on 11
August between 12h00 and 14h00. Admission is free.
Sundowner
Concerts
SAWAF also includes added attractions of
four Sundowner concerts. These vibey jazz events are up for grabs on: 10 August
(featuring Dawn ‘Thandeka’ King); 11 August (spotlighting Khumbu and Nozuko
Lilitha and Ndu Shezi); 17 August (showcasing Angel Zondo); and 18 August (with
the Dani Foster Trio). Main Foyer at 17h00. Admission is free.
Bookings via Computicket outlets;
telephonic bookings on 0861 915 8000, and online bookings at
www.computicket.com. Alternatively, patrons can call the Playhouse Box Office
on 031 369 9540 or 369 9596 (office hours). For schools bookings at R30 per
learner, call 031 369 9407 or email salescoordinator@playhousecompany.com
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