Arts writer
THE Artscape Theatre Centre is once again alive with stories in celebration of heritage month. The venue is staging a variety of productions until September 27, which expand on Nigerian poet Ben Okri’s words, “we are stories that we tell ourselves”.
While heritage month means different things for different people, Artscape will highlight our shared reality by relaying stories which consider how narratives are reflected orally, and in written and creative form.
Using various disciplines, Artscape’s Heritage Festival will question identity, with a focus on “who we are, what we are and what we have been”, encouraging young and old alike to reclaim and restore the important stories of our heritage, to challenge misappropriations, and ultimately, find healing.
Launching with the Indoni Academy Dancers’ Inkundla show last weekend, which examined the “theatre of life”, Siembamba will be staged from Thursday to September 12. The work is a multi-lingual play which explores the life of a black domestic worker and the white child she helped to raise in the 1980s. Written by Philip Rademeyer and Penelope Youngleson, Siembamba features Nieke Lombard and Lesoko Seabe. It will be staged in the Arena Theatre. There is an age restriction of 16. Tickets: R80.
Choirs from around the province will take to the Opera House stage alongside the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra on September 13 at 10am for the Western Cape Choral Music Association’s (WeCCMA) 2015 Choral Music Eisteddfod. The competition is divided into a senior and premier section. Tickets: R60.
Freshlyground’s Zolani Mahola, Afrikaans rock favourite Karen Zoid and soprano Zanne Stapelberg will bring their show, Zanne, Zoid and Zolani to Artscape Theatre on September 23 and 24 – catering for fans of more contemporary music. Tickets: R200, or R180 for students, pensioners and scholars.
Back by popular demand Izityilelo Zobuze by Lingua Franca will explore the concept of inheritance through poetry and music from September 17 to 26.
Directed by Mbongeni Nomkonwana and Lwanda Sindaphi, the production is a narrative that fuses the complexities of opposing realities and the inevitability of newness that is and is yet to be. Tickets: R80, or R50 for pensioners, students and scholars.
Anele Rusi’s Words of War will tell stories of our heritage and history through inspiring poetry and songs of celebration in the Arena on September 24 and September 26. The production is a collaboration of thoughts and visions by Rusi, Anele Kose, Nomakrestu, Masixole Mali and Aviwe Kalolo, who call themselves “servants of the art and soldiers of the heart”. With live sound by DJ Andre, Words of War tells the story of a child haunted by voices and visions from “the other side”. It is a celebration of our scars and history. Tickets: R80, or R50 for students, pensioners and scholars.
Much of South Africa’s heritage is tied up in the stories of our neighbouring countries, a point proven by Born Around Here, a production by Botswana’s Company@Maitisong. It will be staged in the Arena on September 24 at 10am, but is open only to invited guests. The piece tells the often unknown story of Botswana and other neighbouring countries’ contribution to the struggle for freedom in South Africa through the eyes of a Botswanan family. It interrogates human vulnerabilities and fears, while shining a light on love, compassion and the spirit of ubuntu.
Away from the stage, Artscape will host a dialogue titled Connecting Creatives on Heritage Day, while Artscape’s Tunnel (the mural area between Artscape and Civic Centre parking) will become the backdrop for Ngokomzekeliso Wakhe (In His Image) – a performance art instillation by multi award-winner Chuma Sopotela on September 24 at 3.30pm and September 26 at noon. This installation explores the moulding of a person by using the elements of sand and water to symbolise life. It also explores how a body can be reshaped by fire. Tickets: Free.
Steve Bantu Biko once said, “history works through people, and we have availed ourselves for history to work through us.”
With their Heritage Festival, Artscape hopes to inspire theatre-goers to unearth their hidden stories and embrace their diverse identities.
l Artscape Dial-a-Seat: 021 421 7695, www.artscape.co.za