Newtown celebrates 10 years
6 April 2004
Four acclaimed South African plays form part of this month's dynamic Newtown arts festival, which celebrates a decade of democracy and showcases the talent and the freedom of the past 10 years.
There's everything from theatre, music, dance, craft and poetry in the not-to-be-missed festival, which will also create job opportunities in each of the five programmes.
"Many of the artists had a significant role in the democracy that our country enjoys today", said Karin Burrill, head of Community Arts Awareness for Gauteng.
"Art will, for many of us, remain the one form of expression that will contribute to the preservation of our democracy in the next decade. We hope that Gauteng will continue to develop this industry and nurture original work for the future."
The Market Theatre, MIDI Trust, Dance Umbrella, Craft Council South Africa and Write Associates present the celebrations, supported by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation,
Arts and Culture.
Bergville Stories and more
"Bergville Stories", by Duma Ndlovu, tells the story of an incident that took place in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal in 1956 when 22 men were convicted of killing five policemen during a war over dagga fields. The men were all hanged in one day.
"My aunt had told me about the incident, and it has stayed in my mind and haunted me ever since", says Ndlovu. "I just could not fathom how a civilised government could hang an entire community in one morning."
This event is intertwined with another real-life drama when the local community barricaded residents of Merafe Hostel in Soweto inside the hostel for eight weeks. Ndlovu weaves these two tales, introducing an interesting element of African folktale into the tale.
Bergville Stories opened at The Playhouse in Durban in May 1996. It was also performed at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York as part of the Woza Afrika Festival. The cast of 10
includes Mduduzi Nombela, Skhumbuzo Mabizela, Mthandeni Mvelase and Mazwe Mhlongo.
Says Ndlovu: "I hope that the people who see the play today will remember what we went through as various communities, and recommit themselves to the peace and stability that has been restored, and vow never to go back there again."
Bergville Stories plays at the Barney Simon Theatre at The Market from April 8 to 18.
"Devil's Protest" by Kere Nyawo uses mime, dance, music and dialogue to tell a tale of conflict that plays out in heaven and hell and on earth. It focuses on a battle between good and evil as God and the devil battle each other as they fight for men's souls. It performs nightly at the Laager Theatre at The Market from April 12 to 18.
Dieketseng Nkosi brings back her acclaimed anti-women abuse play "Thokoza", directed by Hamilton Dlamini. Presented in the form of an accapela musical, "Thokoza" was named best musical and best new work at the Windybrow Arts Festival in
2002. Nkosi is the recipient of a number of best actress awards and has toured the US and Europe in productions like "Sarafina" and "Umabatha". "Thokoza" plays nightly at the Laager Theatre at The Market from April 19 to 25.
Award-winning playwright and director Jullian Seleke-Mokoto's "Mary … Unfaithful Woman" investigates marital infidelity, domestic violence and murder. It stars Dieketseng Nkosi, Daniel Mooi and Chief Seboa.
In 1991, Sekele-Mokoto formed the Abangani Theatre group, the aim and objective of which is to educate through drama and to reintroduce culture by embracing community values.
"Mary … Unfaithful Woman" plays at the Barney Simon Theatre at The Market from April 26 to May 2.
For more information, contact Karin Burrill on (011) 355-2590 or the Gauteng Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture department on (011) 355-2623.
Pick of the Dance Umbrella
One of the highlights of the Newtown Celebrates 10 Years of
Democracy programme is the Pick of the FNB Dance Umbrella.
The FNB Dance Umbrella has over the past decade been an important platform for new work choreographed by both local and international choreographers. This retrospective celebration, showcasing work by both young and established artists, can be seen at The Dance Factory from April 23 to 25. The programme includes:
Programme 1: Friday 23 April at 7.30pm: the ever-popular "Talas in Conversation" by Jayesperi Moopen; "Strings" by Gladys Agulhas; the first commissioned work from Gregory Maqoma, "Layers of Time"; and internationally acclaimed "Brother, Brother" by Boyzie Cekwana.
Programme 2: Saturday 24 April at 7.30pm: "Step by Step" by Jeanette Ginslov; "Kgotla" by Thabo Rapoo; "Come out of the Closet" by Thuli Semela; and "Point of View" by Moeketsi Koena.
The final programme, on Sunday 25 April at 2.30pm, features "Zabalaza" by Reginald Danster; "Shattered yet Not Broken" by Zwelethu Sebolai; and
"Let's Meet at Table No 5" by Portia Mashigo.
Tickets at R40 can be bought at Computicket or at the door. For further information, phone Arts Unlimited at (011) 482-4140/5179 or e-mail danceumbrella@artslink.co.za.
Music in Newtown
From 2 April to 25 April various soul sounds can be heard at Kippies, the Newtown Music Hall, Shivava, Nikki's and Horror Café. Among the musicians who will perform are the African Jazz Pioneers, Soul Brothers, Moses Khumalo, Tshepo Tshola and Jeff Maluleke. Some events are free, others cost from R40 up.
Poetry
Poetry sessions will be held at Kippies on 10 April and at the Windybrow Theatre on 3 April and 24 April.
For more information, contact Karin Burrill on (011) 355-2590 or the Gauteng Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture department on (011) 355-2623.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
| 
