Latest news with #TheMarketTheatre
IOL News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Theatre that speaks: Robert Mugabe's legacy and Charlie Chaplin's laughter take centre stage
Farai Chigudu, Craig Jackson, Calvin Ratladi, Gontse Ntshegang and Themba Ndaba co-star in 'Breakfast with Mugabe'. Image: Supplied From a thought-provoking psychological drama to a magical musical tribute, this week's offerings will keep theatregoers engaged. Breakfast with Mugabe Directed by Calvin Ratladi, who scooped the 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre honours, this production enjoyed a magnificent premiere at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda. Now Joburgers will get to see it at The Market Theatre. Breakfast with Mugabe, a play by acclaimed British playwright Fraser Grace, features an outstanding cast. Themba Ndaba stars as Mugabe, with Gontse Ntshegang portraying his wife, Grace. Craig Jackson takes on the role of Mugabe's psychiatrist, Dr Peric, and Zimbabwean actor Farai Chigudu plays Mugabe's bodyguard. The script has garnered praise, with many likening it to a modern-day 'Macbeth.' This comparison stems from Mugabe's torment by the vengeful spirit of a deceased comrade. Drawing from reports of the former Zimbabwean president seeking help from a white psychiatrist, the narrative explores themes of grief, healing, faith, nationalism and legacy. The script delves into the complexities of Mugabe, using theatrical flair to expose uncomfortable continental realities. It tackles the descent of African liberators into ruthless dictators, societal myths surrounding mental illness in Africa, and the persistent structural violence inherent in colonial systems. 'This is not a biography or a courtroom drama. It's a psychological reckoning - a fictional encounter between Mugabe and a psychiatrist that lays bare the cost of unprocessed grief, the violence of ego, and the burden of legacy. 'Through sharp dialogue and intense performances, we explore Mugabe not as a historical figure frozen in time, but as a deeply wounded man wrestling with ghosts. Audiences may find echoes of their own leaders, their families, even themselves, in that struggle,' Ratladi shared. Where: Mannie Manim, Market Theatre. When: Runs until August 10, 7pm. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ THE TRAMP Wêla Kapela Productions, who brought us the multi-award-winning Vincent, are back with a musical love letter to Charlie Chaplin. Under the direction of Amanda Bothma, the two-hander, starring Daniel Anderson and Paul Ferreira, guarantees audiences an emotional rollercoaster of laughter, heartbreak and revelation. Using a distinctive blend of popular music, the aesthetics of silent film, and Chaplinesque charm, The Tramp delves into the bittersweet relationship between creator and creation. It explores how this iconic character served as a shield for the profoundly complex man behind the moustache. Digging deep into the fractured bond between man and myth, the show moves from playful comedy to cutting political satire. It reveals how the advent of talking pictures silenced The Tramp and left Chaplin vulnerable to scandal and persecution. 'Life is tragedy in close-up, but comedy in long-shot.' Where: Theatre on the Square, Sandton When: Runs until July 26, 7.30pm.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Aldo Brincat's shape-shifting theatre captivates Joburg in his solo memoir 'The Moon Looks Delicious From Here'
The Moon Looks Delicious From Here will run at the Baxter Theatre, from 20 to 31 May. Tickets are available via Webtickets. The award-winning solo production The Moon Looks Delicious From Here is now captivating Johannesburg audiences at The Market Theatre, where it runs until July 27, following a successful appearance at this year's National Arts Festival. Written and performed by interdisciplinary artist Aldo Brincat, the semi-autobiographical work has earned acclaim both locally and internationally, including a Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award in Makhanda and the Special Jury Award at London's Bitesize Theatre Festival. Described as "a masterclass in writing and performance" by the Bitesize Festival jury, The Moon Looks Delicious From Here is an intimate, character-driven work that explores themes of identity, sexuality, heritage and belonging through the eyes of a first-generation South African. Brincat, who is of Mauritian, Egyptian and Maltese descent, draws on his own life growing up in apartheid-era South Africa in the 1970s and 80s. At the heart of the piece is a tender, complex relationship between father and son - two men from different motherlands, navigating their place in a divided and often hostile country. The play unfolds through a rich tapestry of characters, all portrayed by Brincat - some rooted in Durban's cultural landscape, others shaped by foreign lands. The backdrop of political unrest, oppressive legislation, and shifting societal norms, form a powerful counterpart to the personal struggles of language, faith, love, ambition and sexual identity. 'Pain is pain. Love is love. Life is delicious," reads the show's tagline - a line that encapsulates the play's emotional range. Audience members and critics alike have praised Brincat's ability to move seamlessly between humour and heartbreak, bringing each character to life with empathy and nuance. Directed by poet and performance artist Sjaka Septembir, and underscored with original music by internationally recognised composer Bongeziwe Mabandla, the production is both sparce and immersive, drawing on aesthetic principles of Poor Theatre to place emphasis on storytelling and emotional truth. Tony Lankester, CEO Edinburgh Festival, called the piece " authentic and endearing and moving in equal measure," while arts critic Billy Suter hailed it as "one of the best things I have seen on stage in some while, … Brincat mesmerises throughout." Reviewers have also highlighted the work's broader social and historical significance. In a review from The Critter, Steven Kretzmann noted: " it is also an important play in that it contributes to the tapestry of our shared history and trauma... invites us to reconjure our own memories and confront some difficult truths." Following this run, the production will travel to the Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees. More details will follow. Tickets for The Moon Looks Delicious From Here are available via Webtickets at In-house Bookings at 083 246 4950.
News24
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Kippies Fringe at Market Theatre resonates with SA's past and present
The Kippies Fringe programme was started by The Market Theatre Foundation's artistic director Greg Homann in 2022. In partnership with The Art Cave, this year's programme features themes of 100 Years of Kippies Moeketsi, Heritage Month and Women's Month. Most of the shows have boasted sold-out performances. After sifting through more than 160 applications, The Market Theatre's Kippies Fringe programme curators and co-founders of The Art Cave, Philangezwi Nxumalo and Tebogo Malapane, curated a themed programme that will resonate as much with theatre practitioners as it will with regular South Africans. From Youth Month in June to Women's Month in August, The Art Cave team said it had been a gruelling process to select 12 extraordinary experimental theatre projects that would challenge the public's perception of this art form. The Market Theatre Foundation's artistic director, Greg Homann, who initiated the fringe platform in 2022, said the programme had been temporarily shelved last year due to challenges with a curating team. Homann initiated the programme with the vision to reenergise the space that, for the most part, had been lying dormant for more than a decade, and give artists access to a platform outside of the traditional theatre space. Supplied The platform is predominantly a protest theatre space and The Market Theatre opened in 1976 in the same week as the Soweto uprisings. This, Homann said, was one of the reasons the theatre had always been a safe space for creatives to not only remember South Africa's history, but also encourage conversations about the plight of contemporary South Africans. 'The Hyena's Tuckshop' tonight at the Market Theatre! Kippies Fringe has opened its doors, show starts 6:30 PM. Webtickets: In-house bookings: 083 246 4950 / AnthonyE@ #KippiesFringe #ChildrensTheatre #MarketTheatre — The Market Theatre (@MarketTheatre) June 28, 2025 Malapane explained that, instead of the traditional audition process, they had taken the route of perusing proposals with detailed descriptions of the plays. This resonated with their vision for The Art Cave, which they co-founded with the intention of creating a platform where producers would explore unconventional ways of making theatre productions. The Art Cave was conceived five years ago, and we've been running a festival where young, emerging creators showcase their work. We then select one or two plays to be developed and we stage them in collaboration with The Market Theatre Laboratory. We've been doing it consistently since 2022. Philangezwi Nxumalo This, Nxumalo said, sparked the partnership between The Art Cave and The Market Theatre Foundation as Homann identified them as possessing the required skills to manage the fringe. In June, the fringe presented The Hyena's Tuckshop in commemoration of Youth Month. The play honours the lives of South African children who died after allegedly eating contaminated food purchased at spaza shops. 'Kippie Moeketsi [who the venue is named after] would have turned 100 years old in July, so this month is dedicated to him. We have a jazz musical and poetry show titled Sombali (The Florist) that speaks to who Kippie was,' said Nxumalo. The play, Halala Mr Party, which The Art Cave described as speaking of the courageous and generous people who had dedicated their lives to helping others in the creative sector, only to not receive any assistance in times of need. The production aligns with who Kippie was, as they described him as being among the artists whose contributions were not always met with reciprocity. For Women's Month, The Art Cave selected a gender-based violence awareness production, as well as a piece that celebrates womanhood and being queer. August wraps with a one-night-only R&B show, however, The Art Cave said that the artist line-up was a surprise. The productions being staged in September, including Intsusa and Isiwula, will mostly be delivered in the vernacular, in alignment with Heritage Month. We celebrate our diversity in September and the different traditions and cultural practices. Phila is Zulu, I'm Pedi. Being a man in isiZulu could be different from what this means in Sepedi. The good thing is that we could find ways to relate. I can't learn from Phila unless I understand and pride myself in being a Mopedi man. Tebogo Malapane Malapane described Heritage Month as an opportunity to revisit one's roots and remember who one is in order to engage in fruitful cultural exchanges, especially when living in places like Gauteng, where multiple cultures converge. Malapane added that the danger of being uncertain about one's identity lay in how easy it was for one to get lost when navigating life in multicultural spaces. This year's programme has boasted sold-out performances for most productions. Malapane and Nxumalo are confident that the fringe will continue to go from strength to strength. Show Comments ()
Time Out
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Award-winning The Last Country comes to The Market Theatre
Experience the moving theatre play that has been captivating audiences around South Africa, The Last Country, at The Market Theatre this May. For eight years, the play has been performed to sold-out venues in Durban, including theatres, hostels, schools, universities, churches, taxi ranks, and community halls. It even played at the 2024 National Arts Festival. The play has now made its way to Johannesburg. It draws attention to the difficulties faced by migrant women after they reach the city, giving us a peek of the realities of how they are often mistreated - a reality we often choose to turn a blind eye to. It is based on the lives of four women: Ofrah from the DRC, MaThwala from Ndwedwe in KwaZulu-Natal, Aamiina from Somalia, and Aneni from Zimbabwe. Mpume Mthombeni, Faniswa Yisa, Andile Vilakazi and Nompilo Maphumulo play these characters. The women share their painful experiences that forced them to leave their homes, including poverty, war, and injustice. Coming to Durban to seek a better life, the women face the realities of living in a foreign land which has its own struggles. They are often victims of xenophobia and are often forced to embrace injustice. They also deal with the complexity of language barriers, find themselves living in unimaginable conditions, and fight for crumbs while trying to make the best of whatever situation they find themselves in. The play even shows the struggles that women from rural areas within South Africa face when they migrate to the cities to make a living. With many migrants living in the different cities within South Africa, the play plays a vital role in shaping attitudes toward them. It offers clues into what everyone can do to make a positive change and how our cities can be friendlier. The play's opening took place on Friday, 16 May at The Market Theatre's Mannie Manim. The room was packed to capacity as people of different races came together to watch the play that moved the audience, with some even crying during the play. The heartwarming and captivating play raises the importance of ubuntu, kindness and justice, and is worth watching. Catch it at The Market Theatre from 15 May until 1 June 2025.
News24
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Black pride and African history take centre stage in Mantsopa at The Market Theatre
The play Mantsopa, which is currently being staged at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, highlights the ridiculousness of tribalism, as the similarities between the Basotho people's traditional dance mokhibo and the amaXhosa's ukuxhensa were impossible to ignore. In fact, a friend who travelled to Ethiopia last year said the traditional dance in that country was also similar to the above mentioned, arguing that the links between African people predated colonialism. Written and directed by veteran actor and theatre guru, Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, Mantsopa chronicles the life of the matriarch who dismantled patriarchy before this was popular. She did this with her strong connection to a higher power that would propel her to become a trusted adviser to King Moshoeshoe of Lesotho. So powerful was Mantsopa that, had she lived in this era, instead of the 1800s, the playwright says, through one of the actors, that buildings, national roads and monuments would be named after her and authors telling her story would be penning bestsellers. Alas, the play alone is a step in the right direction towards rewriting formidable black women into history. An equally powerful matriarch in Mantsopa is veteran actress Florence Masebe, who plays a family elder. Thespians are hailed daily for their authentic portrayal of their characters but one has to salute Masebe for her firm grasp on indigenous South African languages in their purest form. Mofokeng wa Makhetha described Mantsopa as a pioneer in women's fight for equality, saying her power defied gender, politics and even culture. So fearless was she that she would not even bow to the feared mercenaries. He referenced an era when women were prohibited from getting an education, adding that once they gained access into those spaces, they outperformed their aspirations. Mofokeng wa Makhetha said: He explained the conflicting reports around Mantsopa's banishment, with some historians saying advisers of the king were starting to question: 'Ke mang Morena mo? [Who is the actual king here].' Others claimed that the ban was self-inflicted as her marital family felt unsafe following her husband's death. Through drama, music and poetry, the cast awakens the audience to the interconnectedness of African customs. For example, they unpack the practice of 'ho kenella motho', 'seya ntlo' or 'ukungenelwa', which is when a relative of a deceased husband takes over the widow as his new wife. While this may have incited laughter from the audience, the scene where physical violence and dominance are used to coerce a woman into marriage touches on the gender-based violence and rape culture women continue to grapple with in a different millennium. In fact, to me, the insults that the character is met with for rejecting these advances read as parallel to femicide in contemporary society. Today, a lot of women lose their lives at the hands of men who are not man enough to handle rejection. I found it unfortunate that the play was mostly performed in English, especially as there is ongoing discourse about the preservation of African history and the indigenous languages. The director said: While the play brings audiences closer to Mantsopa's bloodline and the intimidating responsibility of carrying on her legacy, at its core it is an educational piece of theatre that reunites African people with their identity. Mofokeng wa Makhetha reminds audiences that native Africans' relationship with God and their knowledge of this higher power predated colonisation. Take a sho't left to The Market Theatre for this and other lessons about African tribal relations and how these are woven into contemporary society. The season, which was originally meant to run until 11 May, has been extended to 18 May, due to public demand.
