September-1-10
National Arts Festival Extends Its Hands to Partner With WITS 969 Festival 2010
posted by Sibonelo
The National Arts Festival Grahamstown, one of the world’s iconic arts events, is proud to announce its partnership with the WITS 969 Festival and Arts Alive for the first time in 2010.
The all-new WITS 969 Festival 2010 is a selection of highlights from the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown 2010 which makes the 969 km journey from Grahamstown to the Wits Theatre and its additional venue partner for this year, the Market Theatre. “I would like to see Wits Theatre partnering with more venues and producers to present future installments of WITS 969,” said Ashraf Johaardien, the new General Manager of Wits Theatre.
Since its inception six years ago the WITS 969 Festival has developed into a highly regarded slot in the South African theatre calendar. Wits 969 offers a Johannesburg platform for new, independent and conceptually exciting work from the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown and presents a total of 30 performances of outstanding music, theatre and dance, as well as hosting the Gauteng National Schools Festival under the Wits 969 banner.
“For 37 years we have celebrated, embraced and cherished all that is good in the South African arts world, and part of our mission is to create multiple opportunities for our artists to express themselves through song, dance, words and film,” said National Arts Festival Director Ismail Mahomed. “The 969 Festival is a logical place for us to be. Not only does it showcase some of the best work from this year’s National Arts Festival, but it subscribes to the same core value we do, namely a quest for innovative and bold creative expression,” he added.
The 969 programme includes many productions that received a Standard Bank Ovation Award at this year’s National Arts Festival. “It’s work that we are proud to be associated with, and we are confident that it will move and inspire Johannesburg audiences,” said National Arts Festival CEO Lankester. “We look forward to a long and sustained relationship between our two Festivals,” he added.
Commenting on the new partnerships that have been secured for Wits 969 Festival this year, Johaardien said: “The compelling line-up of dance, theatre and music that we have compiled for the sixth installment of the WITS 969 Festival is made possible by an equally amazing alignment of passion, energy and resources. I commend Arts Alive and the National Arts Festival for their vision and support.”
The productions fresh from the National Arts Festival 2010 stages that can be seen at this year’s WITS 969 Festival include Without Blood, Molly Bloom, elev(i)ate2, Backstory, Mbeki And Other Nightmares, Kaput, Little Poof!, Kruispad, Nibs Van Der Spuy, The Soil and The Butcher Brothers.
Please visit www.wits.ac.za/witstheatre or www.artsalive.co.za for programme details and ticket prices. Bookings can be made online at www.strictlytickets.com or by calling 073 725 7381.
Wits 969 is sponsored by Arts Alive 2010 and the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.
The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The Eastern Cape Government, The National Arts Council, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, The Sunday Independent and M Net.
For more information please contact Cathy Pisanti on 011 717 1376 or e-mail catherine.pisanti@wits.ac.za. Complimentary tickets are available to the media on request.
The all-new WITS 969 Festival 2010 offers a selection of highlights which have made the 969 km journey from the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown to Johannesburg.
Now in its seventh year, Wits 969 2010 is sponsored by Arts Alive (which it forms part of) and the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown to present 30 performances of outstanding music, theatre and dance as well as hosting the Gauteng National Schools Festival under the WITS 969 banner during September.
“In 2004 the 969 Festival was created with the support of the City of Johannesburg’s Economic Development Unit as a means of economically empowering performing artists,” explains Ashraf Johaardien, General Manager of the Wits Theatre. “The City provided funding for 969 for a period of three years and the project originally included the Market Theatre, the Dance Factory as partners. By 2006 Wits Theatre had become sole custodian of the Festival so it is wonderful to be reviving the link with the Market Theatre as a partner venue this year and also to have secured Arts Alive as sponsor for the second year running as well as having National Arts Festival, Grahamstown on board, not only a sponsor but as a key partner.”
The WITS 969 line-up for 2010 is as follows:
Directed by Janine Lewis & Princess Mhlongo
Cast: Janine Lewis & Rantebeng Makapan
Wits Main Theatre
01 – 02 September @ 20:00
Running Time: 90 minutes
No age restriction
An unforgettable fable about the brutality of conflict – and the quest for revenge and healing. Staged as physical storytelling with multi-media it is highly visual and unforgettably sad. Without Blood is about damage, longing, transformation and forgiveness and how we are all shaped by the events of our past.
MOLLY BLOOM
Directed by Nicky Rebelo
Cast: Jennifer Steyn
The Nunnery
01 – 04 September @ 19:30
Running Time: 100 minutes
Age Restriction: 16
Jame’s Joyce’s heroin Molly Bloom from his classic novel Ulysses, lies awake in her bed in Dublin 1904 way after midnight musing about her life, love, marriage, her adulterous affair, her husband’s desire to be cuckolded, her daughter, her bodily functions, politics and sex and religion. This is a beautiful portrait, full of wit and humour, of a woman, of an earth mother.
elev(i)ate2
Created and performed by Athena Mazarakis
The Nunnery
14 – 18 September @ 18:00
Running Time: 45 minutes
No age restriction
A physically and digitally charged theatre work which elevates the small stories from everyday lives. Moving between the comic and the poetic, it illuminates the battle between being grounded and elevation; between being rooted and floating away …
BACKSTORY
Written by Barry Strydom and Craig Morris
Cast: Barry Strydom and Craig Morris
Directed by Athena Mazarakis
The Nunnery
14 – 18 September @ 20:00
Running Time: 70 minutes
No age restriction
Come experience our epic tale…
A presentation of a groundbreaking discovery: what is the terrible secret that lies within us all…the key to our greatness or our downfall…?
A six million year old story still being told.
“…another tour de force in the making.” – Adrienne Sichel
MBEKI AND OTHER NIGHTMARES
Written and directed by Tsepo Wa Mamatu
Cast: Tony Shadrack Miyambo, Khayalihle Lucas Gumede, Zabalaza Moss Mchunu, Tumi Agnes Motsoatsoe, Kitty Agnes Moepang and Ntombi Mavis Nkuna.
Wits Main Theatre
7, 8, 9, 10 & 11 September @ 19:30
Running Time: 85 minutes
Age Restriction: PG 13 L
Almost two years since Polokwane, we reflect on Mbeki’s unseating and wonder whether Zuma’s presidency is an omen future ‘chirren’ shall curse us for? For some that is water under the bridge, although some have warned that his theatre of impotency might draw the dawn of the country sooner than we all thought. Meanwhile, back at paradise land, deals are handed down to sons and daughters with (in)famous surnames as the relic laughter of the well-rounded Malema makes us ask how we got here so soon? Bring tissues!
GAUTENG NATIONAL SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
Presented by the South African National Schools Festivals present
14 & 15 September | 16 & 17 September
Various venues
The festivals expose the youth to professional work and hands-on workshop experiences with artists. They also engage with intellectuals in lectures and demonstrations. The festivals are diverse in terms of disciplines, categories and participants; and professionals are drawn from national experts committed to establishing a creative nurturing ground and a sustainable arts industry. These projects expose participants to career options and the arts as a meaningful way to explore social issues and raise debate in our young democracy. The aim is to instil in South African youth a sense of pride in their artistic and cultural heritage essential in a world where globalisation and the attraction of so called “Western” culture threatens to overshadow the importance of South African nation building and the forging of our own identity. For more information go to www.schoolfest.foundation.org.za.
KAPUT
Directed by James Cuningham
Cast: Taryn Bennett, Helen Iskander and Dorian Burstein
Wits Downstairs Theatre
21 – 25 September @ 19:00
Running Time: 65 minutes
Age Restriction: PG 13 L
An original play of intrigue and disguise with a set that is simply brilliant, and renders the deep and restraining emotions surrounding the coming of age of men, the trauma of war and the complacency of old age with the kind of succinctness that comes of talented directorial acumen. (Cue)
LITTLE POOF!
Directed by Neels Claasen
Written and performed by Bruce J. Little
Wits Downstairs Theatre
28 – 30 September @ 19:30
Running Time: 70 minutes
Age Restriction: 16
Bruce J. Little portrays some of your favourite camp characters springing forth from numerous multi-cultured closets. Whether you are gay, bisexual, intersexual or heterosexual this show will delight. Incorporating stand-up comedy, storytelling, cabaret and live music, Little Poof is a testament to the journey of a progressively gay friendly South Africa. It’s utterly ‘Homofabulous!’
KRUISPAD
Written and directed by Wim Vorster
Cast: Carmen Kershoff, Johan Engelbrecht, André Lötter, Nina Marais, Stephanie Buthelezi, Hildegardt Whites, Christelle van Graan, Chris van Rensburg and guest performer.
Main Theatre
21 – 25 September @ 20:00
Running Time: 150 minutes
Age Restriction: 18 SNLV
A contemporary Afrikaans thriller with classic and ritualistic elements. An average family of above average means is threatened by unknown and deadly forces.
969 MUSIC DOUBLE-BILL: NIBS VAN DER SPUY & THE SOIL
Wits Main Theatre
28 – 30 September @ 19:30
Running Time: 90 minutes
No age restriction
Nibs van der Spuy is an acoustic guitarist, singer songwriter phenomenon from South Africa. His virtuosic acoustic guitar style and a mesmeric whispering voice have attracted a widespread following for its intelligent folk, world and African overtones. Opening for Nibs are newcomers,The Soil, an a capella act directed by Ntsika Ngxanga and Samkelo Mdolomba with choreography by Luphindo Ngxanga. The sound is raw, beautifully unique and allows the singing of any style of song. Voices are accompanied by a beat box. The Soil is a singing group of five members that specialize in a new music genre, Kasi Soul. The Soil fuses their voices to deliver melodical and harmonious messages that are aimed at healing people’s souls all around the world. The first member of the group exists in a spiritual form…whom is the Creator of all. The other four members take a physical form: Buhlebendalo Mda, Luphindo Ngxanga, Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba and Ntsika Fana Ngxanga.
THE BUTCHER BROTHERS
Directed by Sylvaine Strike
Cast: Jaques de Silva, Mongi Mthombeni
A Butcher’s shop. A retired ballroom dancer and his loyal servant. A slumberous parcel awaits to be discovered…The Dark Laugh Theatre returns with a tale of twisted contradictions, meat and meetings, rump and rambunctious play, laughter and slaughter…The Market Theatre
31 August – 12 September
For more information visit www.markettheatre.co.za
Please visit www.wits.ac.za/witstheatre for programme details and ticket prices. Bookings can be made online at www.strictlytickets.com or by calling 073 725 7381.
2010 SHOWS
LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE
The Mandela, July 15th to August 8th
Joburg Theatre presents an exclusive four-week triumphant return of LE GRAND CIRQUE with its new edition LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE.
Featuring an international cast of 50 world champion acrobats and performers from over 15 countries – including China, Russia and Monte Carlo – this award winning spectacle will quite simply take your breath away. This thrill a minute production delivers incredible talent beyond your wildest imagination that will take you to the edge of your seats – and back again!
LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE is perfect for all the family, with fun and happiness written all over it. The mesmerising show brings you beautiful costumes, dynamic lighting and some of the greatest international talent ever assembled on one stage. The music for the show has been selected from the world’s most popular classical composers, and masterfully arranged with up-to-date rhythms to reflect the international appeal of the show.
This latest edition brings back the most popular of its original LE GRAND CIRQUE sequences and adds even more breathtaking spectacle with a feast of white-knuckle stunts and precision skill, producing so much mind-boggling electricity it could light up all of Joburg! LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE is presented at Joburg Theatre in association with M-Net and Classic fm.
DOO BEE BOOBIES
The Fringe, August 5th to August 22nd
Very Very Big Productions is extremely proud to present the return season of the infamous DOO BEE BOOBIES. A very, very expensive all-singing, all-dancing, all-male revue! Keeping the best of the original show, this return season adds some new, hysterical and death defying acts to make it the most ‘must see show’ of 2010 – and no soccer balls in sight but lots of feathers!
The show features Robert Whitehead, Mark Hawkins, Tony Bentel, Stephen van Niekerk and Ebrahim Medell.
CARMEN – The Ballet performed by The South African Ballet Theatre
The Mandela, August 13th to August 29th
The South African Ballet Theatre is proud to present Veronica Paeper’s ballet Carmen, set to Georges Bizet’s well-known score. Set in the city of Seville, Carmen captures the heat and passion of Spain with a full-evening story ballet highlighted by spectacular pas de deux and exciting mass corps de ballet scenes combining classical ballet and elements of traditional Spanish Dance.
TREVOR NOAH
The Fringe, August 24th to August 29th
Trevor Noah will be standing on stage and performing Comedy – this is not a play!
THE CHILLI BOY
The Fringe, September 1st to October 3rd
After sell-out seasons in Joburg, Durban, Cape Town and London’s West End, the hilarious South African play, THE CHILLI BOY, will be back at Joburg Theatre. Enjoying it’s 8th Joburg season, THE CHILLI BOY is regarded as one of the most successful plays in South African Theatre history.
THE CHILLI BOY is the hysterical story of an old Indian woman reincarnated as a white gangster from Boksburg. At the age of 30, the gangster starts suffering flashbacks from his previous life as an Indian woman. He starts wearing a sari while cooking all sorts of delicious Indian meals including curries and briyanis. He no longer wants to fight or brawl as his newly discovered maternal instincts start determining his behaviour. His tough reputation is threatened by the resultant turmoil.
JOCK OF THE BUSHVELD – The Legend Lives On
The Mandela, from September 4th
Packed House Productions and Absa are proud to present this original musical that has been two years in the making. The classic and world-famous South African story is brought to life on the musical stage for the first time ever and features all the elements of a spectacular family musical. Adapted from the Sir Percy Fitzpatrick novel Jock of the Bushveld, this story is one of the classic animal stories loved by millions of children and adults world-wide and is a unique and timeless South African musical featuring the famous dog with the heart of a lion.
MONKEY NUTS
The Fringe, from October 6th
Acclaimed writer/director Geraldine Naidoo and multi-award winning actor Matthew Ribnick bring you their new show – MONKEY NUTS. The play tells the story of Edgar Chambers; an odd-bod obsessed with entering all sorts of competitions. Edgar, a bank teller by profession, also has the unusual knack of sniffing out free stuff and special offers. It is, however, his obsessive competition entering that sparks off the madcap story that has had audiences gasping for breathe. Don’t miss the hysterical brilliance of this hour long comedy that will mesmerize and entertain you.
Janice Honeyman’s ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES
The Mandela, November 3rd to January 2nd 2011
Janice Honeyman’s 2010 panto, ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES features an all-star cast, including the irrepressible Marc Lottering as Crusoe’s mother, stunning South African beauty Tanya van Graan, heart-throb star of the stage and screen Carlo McFarlane and favourite ISIDINGO actress Kim Engelbrecht. With thrilling sword fights, hilarious comedy, a shipwreck, a sea monster, an abundance of comedy, flamboyant costumes and fabulous sets, this swashbuckling adventure is sure to be 2010’s hottest ticket in town.
ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES is presented at Joburg Theatre in association with M-Net and You magazine.
Call Computicket on 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com
For group bookings of 10 or more tickets,
contact the Theatre’s ticketing office on (011) 877 6853/4.
Joburg Theatre has eight hospitality venues available for exclusive hire.
They range from ten-seat dining rooms to 200-capacity cocktail lounges –
each one offering a different and unique entertainment choice.
For VIP hospitality during the daytime or evening, please call Bertha on (011) 877 6834 / bertha@showbusiness.co.za.
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