Yellowman

10 Nov 2011 in Show Press Releases
Related Shows: Yellowman

The Market Theatre, by arrangement with DALRO (Pty) Limited on behalf of Josef Weinberger, England,
presents Yellowman
Back by Popular Demand

Following its phenomenal success at three South African Arts Festivals and a tour of Holland, acclaimed US playwright Dael Orlandersmith’s compelling love story, Yellowman, comes back to the Market Theatre.

Director Lara Bye once again confirms her passion for powerful storytelling with this explosive two-hander, beautifully and unforgettably brought to life by David Johnson as Eugene (Gene) and Mwenya Kabwe won Fleur Du Cap for Best Actress for her role as Alma.

Yellowman is a contemporary tragedy. Sons and fathers are locked in cycles of hatred, good daughters are banished, young lovers are doomed for no good reason and a community turns in on itself.

Writer Dael Orlandersmith has created a work that is guaranteed to resonate with South African audiences. On the surface it is a love story, a coming-of-age story, but there is also the theme of internalised racism, where light-skinned men are called ‘yella’ and perceived to have an easy life, and where black-skinned men, sweating in the South Carolina heat, are made to feel ugly and worthless.

Aside from the sharp critique of social issues and stereotypes, Yellowman also allows us to feel the heat of Carolina, smell the sweat in the Georgia Pacific lumberyard, taste the bourbon, feel the excitement of that first train ride to New York and savour the thrill of a fist kiss.
The play received the 2008 Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) Best Production award while Kabwe won the Best Upcoming Professional Artist award. Kabwe was also nominated in the Best Actress category at the same festival as well as at the recent Aardklop Festival in Potchefstroom.
With her uncompromising vision, playwright, actress and poet Dael Orlandersmith is widely regarded as one of the important new poetic voices in America today and belongs to a daring new generation of women writing for the stage.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
Written by: Dael Orlandersmith
Directed by: Lara Bye
Cast: David Johnson and Mwenya Kabwe
Season: 10 January – 05 February 2012
Venue: The Laager Theatre
Performance Times: Tues – Sat @ 20h15 and Sun @15h15
Press Night: Thursday 12 January 2012

NB: Tuesday performances and all previews R66 only!

To make block bookings, please contact Anthony Ext 121 or Tiny Ext 135 on 011 832 1641.

For further information, interviews and images, contact:
Lusanda Zokufa, Senior Publicist
Market Theatre Foundation  
011 832 1641 ext 118 or 123
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)