15 January 2007
The critically acclaimed play The Suitcase returns to Johannesburg's Market Theatre from 24 January to 4 March.
The play - from a short story by one of Africa's best known writers, E'skia Mphahlele, adapted and directed by James Ngcobo - was the Market Theatre's best selling show of 2006, with an estimated 83% attendance.
"The return is, in a way, helping to advance the life of new stage works and honouring new directors," says Market Theatre artistic director Malcolm Purkey.
Purkey adds that this could be the last chance to see the show on South African soil, as there is international interest with a possible worldwide tour.
The Suitcase, set in the 1950s and based on an actual event, tells the story of a young rural couple who, in spite of family disapproval of their marriage, leave for the city, intending to return wealthy and immune from social censure.
The pressures of the city, unemployment and poverty strip away the husband's self-esteem and he starts to lose his moral compass. He is so desperate to provide for his pregnant wife that he steals a suitcase left on a bus. This action has frightening consequences, dramatic turns and unexpected twists.
Ngcobo, who is about to direct King Lear and Stokvel, a comedy series on SABC2, recently walked away with two awards at the South African Film and Television awards for best actor in a television drama (for Hard Copy) and best actor in a comedy series (for Stokvel).
The Suitcase features Siyabonga Twala (Scandal), who takes on the lead role of Timi Ngobese, with Nqobile Sepamla playing his pregnant wife, Namhla Ngobese. Mncedisi Shabangu and John Lata take on the roles of storytellers, playing a range of other characters.
Mphahlele has been described by Emile Snyder (Saturday Review) as "the most balanced literary critic of African literature" and as "one of its most significant creators". He has published numerous short stories, essays and novels dealing with issues of race and South Africa's changing society.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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