SO WHAT'S NEW, THE POWER OF WOMEN

Its amazing what can happen when you put women together in one room. You get nothing but fireworks. This is the result that comes from the theatre production called “So what’s New”. With the women’s month in August, this show came back at such a perfect time. It’s a perfect mirror of the lives of four women from the township who are bound together in the new South Africa, with all the responsibilities and challenges they are faced with on a daily basis.

This production which premiered in 1991 right after Nelson Mandela was released from prison has some reference of the oppression conditions in South Africa. It’s written by Fatima Dike with Princess Mhlongo as the director. The show is back with an impressive all star line up. Andrea Dondolo plays the role of Dee, a Shebeen queen and a mother to a very vocal and smart Mercedes played by Zimkhitha Kumbaca. We also have Thandi and Patricia who are sisters and both very good friends of Dee. Thandi play by the talented Sibulele Gcilitshana who just came from working with James Ngcobo on the production “Sunjata”. Then Patricia played by Thuli Thabethe who is famous for her role Phumzile on “City Sesla”.

Putting all these women together you get a very funny comedy that is beautifully acted. The character Patricia is a crowd favourite with her funny dialogue and attitude, while Dee connects with all the mothers. A definite must see for a girl’s night out, especially on the upcoming women’s month.

SO WHAT’S NEW will be running at THE Market Theatre till 14^th  of August.

"SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD" ENJOYS A SECOND RUN AT THE MARKERT THEATRE

“Sizwe Banzi Is Dead” is one of the theatre productions that has been running for decades. It’s a story about identity during the times of the black oppression.  The story is set in the Eastern Cape and explores the issue of urbanisation during the time of Pass Laws in the old South Africa.

The production is now enjoying a second run at the Johannesburg Market Theatre this year and its proving to be still a favourite for theatre lovers. This time around Monang “Vice” Motshabi is in the director’s seat, with his rendition of this thrilling story. He has directed and written a lot of productions that include “Echoes”, which won a Naledi award for best community theatre production. The story is now mainly cantered in Style’s Photography studio, giving it a fresh feel that adds a whole new dimension to the story.

The story unfolds with a humorous dialogue by Styles played by (Omphile Molusi) who also plays the part of Bantu. It then crosses over to the story of Sizwe played by Arthur Molepo who has graced many productions and the famous soapy “Generations”. The use of Style’s Photography studio as the centre of the story was a genius idea. As a result this rendition explores the story in a very interesting angle, which gives the true essence of the story without biting around the bush. This show sure makes a great night out that beats staying in doors for the boring storyline of generations.

The show is running till the 24^th of july

DANCE PERFORMER REACHES OUT TO JOZI DANCERS

Mamela Nyamza was this year’s winner of the Standard bank young artist award for the dance category.  She just came back from performing at the Grahams town National festival, but this young lady from Cape Town is already starting a new project. Nyamza has been commissioned by the Goethe institute in Johannesburg to create new work. She has then decided on doing a workshop for all talented dancers to join her so they would create something extra ordinary.

Nyamza is known for her provocative dance pieces that have sparked dialogue on national and international stages. Her work tackles the issues that women are faced with on a daily basis, even exploring the issues of sexuality.  Most of her pieces she creates have been solo pieces, but this time around she wants to work with a group. She then decided on workshops to get together a group of dancers to work with for a month. The piece created from the workshops will be performed at the Arts on Main in September.  

These workshops which will help create jobs for dancers who are struggling will be  taking place from the 16^th of August till the 14^th of September. Nyamza says “This time around I would love to work with older dancers from the ages of 25 and older”. But in order for her to pull this beautiful idea off she needs sponsors for food and transport for the dancers for a month. Nyamza explains that the Goethe institute only paid for the working space and the performance fee. Anything anyone can give would truly help these workshops, and everyone who wants to help can email Nyamaza on mamela15@yahoo.com . Dancers who also want to be part of the workshops can also contact Nyamza via email.