Embracing women

THE Playhouse Company has announced details of its highly anticipated 16th South African Women’s Arts Festival (SAWAF), which runs at The Playhouse in Durban from Friday, 3 August until Sunday, 11 August 2012.

The festival opens with Matthew Hurt’s acclaimed Sailing Somewhere, starring top South African actress, Fiona Ramsey (pictured). Legendary storyteller, Dr Gcina Mhlophe, hosts an Open Mic Poetry session (admission free) in the Playhouse Drama Theatre on 4 August. The Open Mic Poetry session will feature top local artists, including Bongani Mavuso and Naima McLean.

The popular Women in Dialogue session follows, with Nancy Richards leading a panel discussion on ‘Nation building’. Panelists include First Lady, Mrs Thobeka Zuma, and MEC of Arts, Culture, Sport & Recreation for KZN, Ms Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha.

The Women’s Celebratory Concert is a festival highlight and features the talents of Thandiswa Mazwai, multi-award winning South African musician who served as lead vocalist and songwriter of Bongo Maffin, as well as Xolisa Dlamini, Zahara, DJ Zinhle and Celeste Ntuli, South Africa’s funniest comedienne. This fabulous event takes place on 4 August at 19h00 in the Playhouse Opera Theatre.

Dance fans are in for a treat with a double bill featuring performances of Beyond Breaking Pointe and Worlds Apart at the Playhouse Drama Theatre on 10 and 11 August.

SAWAF, held during Women’s Month every year, has a long history of supporting women’s arts and creating valuable dialogue, whilst showcasing cutting edge productions. “In staging SAWAF for the 16th year, we once again embrace a vital part of our mandate to foster women’s skills development, particularly in the arts, as well as to engage on social issues such as women and youth empowerment, job creation and social cohesion,” said Playhouse Company Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Linda Bukhosini.

Booking for all SAWAF productions is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or The Playhouse Box Office on 031 369 9540 or 031 369 9596. - Tonight Reporter