Latest news with #Okapi
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Gretel by Rebecca Spurgeon is a reimagined version of the classic Grimm fairy tale
Jagriti Theatre's upcoming play, Gretel, reimagines the classic German fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, made famous by the Brothers Grimm. The original story follows two siblings, Hansel and Gretel, who try to make their way back home, after being abandoned in a forest. There, they wander into a magical house and fall into the clutches of a wicked witch. Through their courage and quick thinking, they trick the witch, escape captivity and return home. Directed by Rebecca Spurgeon, Gretel explores the concept of home, and who defines it. 'For me, the main idea in Hansel and Gretel is ultimately about the search for home and all through the play, we look at how the idea of home can vary from person to person,' says Rebecca. The central idea that the pay deals with is that home does not have to be a specific place or a specific person; you can create that sense of home in any place you feel you belong. 'We wanted to show how a journey is about asking questions, the minute we become comfortable with where we are, and if we stop asking questions, then we may not be able to move forward.' 'In this play, the character Gretel has been developed as a person who always asks questions, and, because she wants to know, she stands a chance of finding more answers, hence being an important force in helping both of them return home safely.' Ashiqa Salvan, who plays Gretel, says the character has been developed as a larger representation of women in society. 'In the story, Hansel is seen as the solution maker, and Gretel is seen as someone following him. We developed her character, where she asks and contradicts, she found her own way of doing things, which ultimately helps both of them,' says Ashiqa. She also pointed out how stories are normally written and told in a manner where the men are usually the protagonists. ' Women invariably are presented as supporting or following the protagonist. We tried to tell the story in a way that Gretel is the protagonist.' Akhshay Gandhi, who plays Hansel, says, 'Hansel plays the role of a responsible adult, showing he is in control, even though he might not have a clue about what to do next. The character brings out the humanity of a person, what it takes for someone to be responsible when you are not equipped to do it.' The one takeaway, Akhshay says, for people to be empathetic to caregivers. The music for the play will be performed by Ananth Menon and Vedanth Bharadwaj. 'The songs were written even before the script came out, so a lot of the script was improvised based on the music,' says Ananth. This production is a collaboration between Jagriti Theatre and Okapi. The play will be staged at Jagriti theatre on June 20 at 7.30 pm, and June 21 and 22 at 3.30 & 7.30 pm. Tickets for the play will be available in
The South African
12-05-2025
- The South African
Suspect arrested for attempting to rob cash loan business
Reaction officers arrested a 36-year-old man in the Verulam CBD, KwaZulu-Natal, on Monday 12 May after he allegedly attempted to rob a cash loan business on Todd Street. According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), a female employee at the business raised the alarm at approximately 13:56 when she noticed a customer acting suspiciously. While still on the line with the RUSA Operations Centre, she reported that the man had begun covering his face with a mask and appeared to be preparing for a robbery. 'The caller was adamant that the male was intending to rob the business,' RUSA said. RUSA officers immediately responded and arrived at the scene within minutes. The employee who made the call fled the premises and told officers she believed the suspect was armed. Officers entered the store and ordered the suspect to lie on the ground. RUSA Officers found him in possession of an Okapi knife and took him into custody. An employee from a nearby shop told RUSA officers that the man had arrived with two other individuals. One of them had stood at the entrance, while the third remained outside. Both fled the scene when RUSA officers approached the premises. According to RUSA, no injuries occurred during the incident. Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) handed over the arrested attempted robbery suspect to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation and possible prosecution. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
11-05-2025
- The South African
RUSA member shot near Trenance Park, KZN
A Reaction Office South Africa (RUSA) member was shot outside his home in Hilltop near Trenance Park, KZN on Saturday, 10 May 2025. RUSA members were dispatched to their colleague's home after neighbours found him unresponsive and informed the security company. The neighbours recalled that they heard a gunshot. The 26-year-old member was shot in an execution style, paramedics confirmed. 'He was still in possession of his valuables and there was no sign that the shooter had entered his residence.' 'A spent 9mm cartridge was recovered on scene,' mentioned RUSA. The South African reached out to RUSA to confirm whether the member died or not but has not received a response yet. In other news, a 32-year-old Mozambican national was brutally attacked on the corner of Todd and Garden Street in Grangetwon, KZN on Saturday, 10 May 2025. The victim was found lying on the side of the road, profusely bleeding from multiple stab wounds. 'Two individuals armed with knives robbed him of R175.' 'They began stabbing him after he refused to hand over his cell phone,' the victim explained to RUSA officers. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim was taken to a medical facility for recovery. One of three men who broke into a business premises to rob a salon was arrested by RUSA members in Verulam CBD, KZN on Saturday, 10 May 2025. RUSA members were on patrol in the area when they heard a scream from a female asking for assistance. The members chased after the three men and managed to apprehend one suspect on the corner of Wick and George Sewpersad Street. The suspect was found with an Okapi knife. 'The woman arrived at the location and stated she is the owner of a salon. She witnessed the suspect and his accomplices breaking into a neighbouring store,' said RUSA. The suspects were about to enter the store, but changed their direction to the salon after seeing that the female was observing them. 'The suspects confronted the woman and produced knives. They demanded valuables but fled empty-handed when she started calling out for assistance,' explained RUSA. The two other suspects fled the scene while one suspect was handed over to the Verulam SAPS for further investigation. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
03-05-2025
- The South African
Dead body found on side of the road in Ndwedwe, KZN
A dead body of a 22-year-old male was discovered on the side of the road during a search in Ndwedwe, KZN, on Friday, 2 May 2025. The 42-year-old mother of the deceased discovered the lifeless body of her son and immediately contacted Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA). 'On arrival, the body of a 22-year-old male was discovered on the side of the road. He sustained stab wounds to his head and face. A pocketknife was located next to his body,' the private security company stated. The deceased's mother mentioned that her son was known to carry an Okapi knife. She said she began searching for him after seeing that he had not returned from the tavern the day before. It is alleged that the deceased was involved in an altercation and repeatedly was stabbed with the jagged edge of a beer bottle. No arrests have been made so far. A 26-year-old man sustained injuries after members of the public badly beat him after trying to break into a home in Parkgate, KZN. Reaction Unit South Africa confirmed that the man confessed to breaking into a home in the area with a friend. 'His friend fled when they were confronted by a group of individuals. They began assaulting him, but he managed to break free and fled to Redcliffe, KZN, where he collapsed on the side of the road,' said Reaction Unit. The man was handed over to Verulam SAPS for further investigation. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
