Media release

THE 969 FESTIVAL 2009

PRODUCTION: The 969 Festival 2009
VENUE: Various
SEASON: 1 - 26 September 2009
RUNNING TIME: Varies
BOOKING: www.strictlytickets.com / 073 725 7381
ENQUIRIES: catherine.pisanti@wits.ac.za / 011 717-1376

The Wits Theatre's partner, ARTS ALIVE, has given a new face to the 969 Festival. The most obvious is instead of having a return season in July, the 969 Festival will form part of the Arts Alive Festival (3 - 27 September).

The line-up at the Wits Theatre Complex and Space Frame Theatre is as follows:

Ingcwaba Lendonda (THE GRAVE OF THE MAN IS NEXT TO THE ROAD).
Directed by Mandla Mbothwe
Wits Amphitheatre
1 -5 September
19h30.
Running Time: 70 minutes
An explosive new work from Magnet Theatre in Isixhosa with English translations that 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. 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.

HIGH DIVING
Written and directed by Jenine Collocott
Wits Downstairs Theatre
14-16 September
19h00.
Running Time: 80 minutes
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. Written and directed by Jenine Collocott. Featuring James Cairns,Toni Morkel and Deborah da Cruz.

Pay Dirt
Devised by Jenni-Lee Crewe and Tamara Guhrs
Wits Downstairs Theatre
15 -19 September,
20h30.
Running Time: 70 minutes
Pay Dirt traces the story of a young woman on a quest to find her father who disappeared in Jo'burg. She meets a taxi-owner turned tourism entrepreneur, a homeless man, and some of the city's ghosts. Like millions who enter Jo'burg's hungry streets she faces a hidden challenge- will the city swallow her up like it did her father? Devised by Jenni-lee Crewe and Tamara Guhrs. Featuring Nhlahla Mkhwanazi, Jesica Lejowa and Ndu Msimanga.

WIT
Written by Margaret Edson
Directed by Steven Stead
Wits Theatre
23 - 26 September
19h00
Running Time: 90 minutes
This Pulitzer-Prize winning play is an unforgettable experience that engages both mind and heart. The central figure is over-educated, articulate, and very, very frightened. Professor Vivian Bearing is an uncompromising intellectual committed to rigorous research, but as she faces death in the sterile purgatory of a research hospital, she comes to realize that life has a meaning beyond knowledge. 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". Featuring Clare Mortimer, Alison Cassels and Ralph Lawson.

TSAFENDAS
Directed by Lynne Maree
The Nunnery
08 - 12 September
20h30
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.

TSELENG: THE BAGGAGE OF BAGS
Written by Mbali Kgosidintsi
Directed by Sara Matchett
The Nunnery
8 - 12 September,
19h00
Running Time: 70 minutes
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. Written and performed by Mbali Kgosidintsi. Directed by Sarah Matchett.

WAGES OF SIN
Directed by Jessica Lejowa
The Nunnery
22 - 26 September
19h00
Running Time: 60 minutes
Moral systems everywhere and across time have concepts of what is wrong and what is right. This piece seeks to examine the rewards and the punishments that have been the result of the transgression of moral and societal boundaries by and from the perspective of African women across time and in the contemporary world. Directed by Jessica Lejowa and featuring Barati Montshiwa and Zarcia Zacheus.

YOU PUSHED ME!
Directed by Themba Mkhoma
The Nunnery
15 - 19 September
19h00.
Running Time: 60 minutes
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. Choreographed by Mandisa Tlou and Directed by Themba Mkhoma, it features Minenhle Nene and Hlobi Mahlangu.

Hot Seat Confessions
Directed by Lara Foot Newton
The Nunnery
15 - 19 September
20h30
Running Time: 60 minutes
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. Directed by Lara Foot Newton. Featuring Ameera Patel, Naima Mclean and Ndoni Khanyile.

Kgafela
The Atrium
8 -12 September
19h00
70 minutes
The bastard son of South Africa's performance poetry scene showcases his latest work that was developed at a residency in Germany.

Six-Nine
Written by Tshepiso Konopi
The Atrium
15 -19 September
19h00
Running Time: 60 minutes.
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. Written by and featuring Tshepiso Konopi.

SOUTH AFRICA, THEN AND NOW
Directed by Stacey Sacks
The Space Frame Theatre, Wits Education Campus
8 - 12 September
19h00
Running Time: 55 minutes
Thinking of packing for Perth? Before you do, check out this show. It's South Africa you love and the South Africa you love to laugh about, all rolled into 55 minutes of side-splitting satire. Directed by Stacey Sacks, it features Tim Sandham.

AFRIKA: MAMA YO!
Directed by Wez-Lee Masili Makgamatha
The Space Frame Theatre, Wits Education Campus
8-12 September
20h30
Running Time: 50 minutes
Afrika:Mama Yo! is a satire which revolves around 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. Directed by Wez-Lee Masilo Makgamatha, it features Nicholas Pule Welch.

Relation Shit
Directed by Ash Searle and Vanessa Harris
The Space Frame Theatre, Wits Education Campus
15 -19 September
19h00
Running Time: 55 minutes
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 and pas de deux their way through this rollercoaster ride of Relation Shit. Directed and performed by Ash Searle and Vanessa Harris.

School of Whoredom
Directed by Belinda Belseck
The Space Frame Theatre, Wits Education Campus
15 -19 September
20h30. 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.

WOZA JOSHUA
Directed by Warren Nebe
The Nunnery
22 -26 September
20h30.
Running Time: 80 minutes
Woza Joshua is an adaptation of Mbongeni Ngema, Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon's play Woza Albert. It begins with farm invasions by war veterans and explores the subsequent events that led to the near collapse of the economy. This is a hilarious and brave satire performed by Clayton Ndlovu and Bhekilizwe Ndlovu. Directed by Warren Nebe.

Tickets are reasonably priced at R 40,00 for all - available from www.strictlytickets.com or 073 725 7381

Light meals and a full cash bar can be enjoyed in Café Dulce, situated in the Wits Theatre Foyer. Free, covered parking in the adjacent Senate House (the entrance is on Jorissen Street) ensures peace of mind. Complimentary tickets are available to the media on request.
ENDS

MEDIA QUERIES
Cathy Pisanti
Publicity
Wits Theatre
011 717 1376 catherine.pisanti@wits.ac.za

Arts Alive tickets can be bought from Computicket or call 083 915 8000.
TICKETS FOR THE 969 FESTIVAL EVENTS CAN BE BOUGHT FROM STRICTLYTICKETS OR CALL 073 725 7381.
For information or media-related queries contact Rami Nhlapo 011 886 0502 or email rami@zanusi.co.za.
Programme is subject to change.