T H E A T R E
969 FESTIVAL
Ingcwaba Lendonda(the grave of the man is next to the road).
When: 2 – 5 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Amphitheatre, Wits University, Braamfontein
An explosive new work from Magnet Theatre in isiXhosa, with English translations, explores the physical, emotional and spiritual dislocation of young, black South Africans searching for a place called home somewhere between the city and the Eastern Cape. Drawing on African traditions, urban rituals, original song and drumming, this is multi-media, innovative, sophisticated theatre dealing with South African conditions.
Artists:
Directed by Mandla Mbothwe.
Music and script created by the company under the supervision of Nolufefe Mtshabe and performed by Themba Pondo.
Featuring Faniswe Yisa, Thando Doni and Asanda Rilityana.
Playwrights and directors workshop
When: 10 SeptemberWhere: Uncle Tom’s community centre, Soweto.
This workshop is facilitated by Selaelo Maredi
5TH INNER CITY HIGH SCHOOLS DRAMA FESTIVAL
I am human because I belongWhen: 7 – 12 September
Where: Hillbrow Theatre
This theatre event, run by the Hillbrow Theatre Project, aims to promote drama within the inner city high schools and to contribute towards building positive attitudes within the inner city community. Through drama and other arts projects inner city learners can start to engage and deal with issues that affect them. This project also promotes dialogue between the various inner city schools to help build a strong and vibrant inner city community, as well as showcasing emerging performers, writers, directors and technicians.
969 FESTIVAL
TsafendasWhen: 8 - 12 September, 8:45pm
Where: Wits Nunnery, Wits University, Braamfontein
LIVING IN STRANGE LANDS – THE TSAFENDAS STORY, Written by Anton Krueger
Running Time: 70 minutes
This docu-drama doubles as a study of personal and political madness. It rings with social and personal truths. Harrowing ritualistic imagery and luminously intelligent text… “a dramatic tour de force”( Adrienne Sichel). “Both subtly detailed and effectively impressionistic” (Darryl Accone). Directed by Lynne Maree and featuring Renos Spanoudes as Dimitrios Tsafendas and Kris Rinkhals as The Guard.
969 FESTIVAL
KgafelaWhen: 8 – 11 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Atrium, Wits University, Braamfontein
The bastard son of South Africa’s performance poetry scene showcases his latest work that was developed at a residency in Germany. 70mins.
969 FESTIVAL
Tseleng: the baggage of bagsWhen: 8 – 12 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Nunnery, Wits University, Braamfontein
Tseleng tells the story of living in transit and the transition into womanhood. This is a journey through the nomadic life of Mbali, a character who is forced to look at her fragmented past in order to sculpt an identity.
This is a truly modern, contemporary, South African story which integrates themes of identity, language, notions of home and social positioning versus personal ambition.
Artists:
Written and performed by Mbali Kgosidintsi.
Directed by Sarah Matchett.
969 FESTIVAL
South Africa, then and nowWhen: 8 – 12 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Spaceframe, Wits University Education Campus, Parktown
Thinking of packing for Perth? Before you do, check out the this show. Its South Africa you love and the South Africa you love to laugh about, all rolled into 55 minutes of side-splitting satire.
Artists:
Directed by Stacey Sacks.
Features Tim Sandham.
969 FESTIVAL
Africa Mama YoWhen: 8 – 12 September, 8.15pm
Where: Wits Spaceframe, Wits University Education Campus, Parktown
A satire about pitching for a government tender to produce an African musical dance extravangaza at the 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP. Simon Dunne and Givon Chauke, two over-zealous candidates from Elastic Djembe Productions, present their fantastic concept to a panel of sponsors from the 2010 Africa Onstage Project.
Artists:
Directed by Wesley.
Features Nicholas Pule Welch.
969 FESTIVAL
High DivingWhen: 14 - 16 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Downstairs Theatre, Wits University, Braamfontein
With a mix of physical comedy and tightly honed dialogue comes the story of two star-crossed lovers as they travel through a minefield of inter-family relations and personal misunderstandings. This modern love story is set against the beautiful and at times brooding backdrop of rural coastal and urban concrete South Africa.
Artists:
Written and directed by Jenine Collocott.
Featuring James Cairns, Toni Morkel and Deborah da Cruz.
969 FESTIVAL
Hot Seat ConfessionsWhen: 15 - 19 September, 8:30pm
Where: Downstairs Theatre, Wits
Hot Seat Confessions is the story of four young contemporary, urban women living in the city. They are sassy, soulful and…oh so single! This humorous and honest narrative takes this audience on an intricate journey into their personal stories through a series of poetic monologues.
Artists:
Workshopped by Right to Speak.
Featuring Ameera Patel, Naima Mclean and Ndoni Khanyile.
969 FESTIVAL
School of WhoredomWhen: 15 - 18 September, 8: 15pm
20h30.
Where: The Space Frame Theatre, Wits Education Campus
Running Time: 50 minutes
This contemporary re-working of a 16th century play sees three ladies taking a hilarious glimpse across time, presenting a satirical look at how the face of sexual politics has changed. Bring your kanga! Directed by Belinda Belseck, it features Tarryn Lee and Refiloe Lepere.
Artists:
Directed by Belinda Belseck.
Featuring Tarryn Lee and Refiloe Lepere
969 FESTIVAL
Pay DirtWhen: 15 – 19 September, 8.30pm
Where: Wits Downstairs Theatre, Wits University, Braamfontein
Pay Dirt traces the story of a young woman on a quest to find her father who disappeared in Joburg. She meets a taxi-owner turned tourism entrepreneur, a homeless man, and some of the city’s ghosts. Like millions who enter Joburg’s hungry streets she faces a hidden challenge - will the city swallow her up like it did her father?
Artists:
Devised by Jenni-lee Crewe and Tamara Guhrs.
Featuring Nhlahla Mkhwanazi, Jesica Lejowa and Ndu Msimanga.
Read more: Hit Paydirt at the 969 Festival
969 FESTIVAL
Six-NineWhen: 15 – 19 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Atrium, Wits University, Braamfontein
It is just a couple of months to go before the 2010 World Cup, but one young man is not caught up in the Vuvuzela hype. This young man is determined to make a fortune out of 2010 by starting up a business. But since this is no ordinary service delivery, Mosembana soon finds that his business, despite the niche in the market for it, begins to stick itself up people’s noses.
Artists:
Written by and featuring Tsepiso Konopi.
969 FESTIVAL
RelationShitWhen: 15 – 18 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Spaceframe, Wits University Education Campus, Parktown
Witness the typical faux pas of the “perfect couple”, the good, the bad, and the downright embarrassing. You will laugh and you will cry, while they act, sing abd pas de deux their way through this rollercoaster ride of Relation Shit.
Artists:
Directed and performed by Ash Searle and Vanessa Harris.
Jozi M Sweetie
When: 16 September – 3 OctoberWhere: University Of Johannesburg Theatre, Auckland Park campus
An original musical paying tribute to the wiles and ways of Jozi and the women who have called her home.
969 FESTIVAL
You pushed me!When: 22 – 26 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Nunnery, Wits University, Braamfontein
This is the story of Prince, a young boy who’s on a quest to find a will to live. He has lost all hope since finding out he is HIV positive. This affirming musical play is embellished with scintillating dance pieces and alluring music.
Artists:
Choreographed by Mandisa Tlou.
Directed by Themba Mkhoma.
Features Minenhle Nene and Hlobi Mahlangu.
969 FESTIVAL
Wit
When: 22 – 26 September, 7pm
Where: Wits Downstairs Theatre, Wits University, Braamfontein
Vivian has late-stage ovarian cancer. But to say that Wit is about cancer is misleading; it is really about finding a balance between head and heart. This play is not a tearful lecture on how to die; it’s a dry-eyed lesson on how to live. It is at once funny, sad, tragic and life-affirming, complex and simple. New York Times called Wit, “the kind of theatrical experience of which legends are made”.
Artists:
Featuring Jimmy Lithgow, Neil Coppen and Olivia Borgen.
Review
Press release
Remember Cancer Victims - Wit Wall of Remembrance: Death be not proud
Stories from the African Alphabet
When: 24 – 27 SeptemberWhere: Soweto Festival at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto campus
