Experience the Magic of Mantsopa: A Special Invitation to the Market Theatre

Experience the Magic of Mantsopa: A Special Invitation to the Market Theatre

The Market Theatre Foundation invites you to celebrate 200 years of Basotho heritage with an exclusive staged reading of Mantsopa, Dr. Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha’s latest work-in-progress.
 
Mantsopa tells the story of a powerful prophetess who guided King Moshoeshoe through challenging times, highlighting the often-overlooked role of women in history. This event coincides with the 58th anniversary of Lesotho’s independence, making it a special celebration of Basotho culture and legacy.
 
Expect an engaging reading with musical elements that will leave you humming Basotho tunes long after. Wear your traditional Seshoeshoe or kobo and join us for this cultural celebration!
 
Event Details:
 
Date: 5 October 2024  
Time:14h00 for 15h00  
Venue: John Kani Theatre, The Market Theatre
Mantsopa Invite
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RSVP: Webtickets or  Mamello Khomongoe at mamellok@markettheatre.co.za

SIDA !HUB

SIDA !HUB

PLACING FOCUS ON CULTURE THAT IS MINORITISED TO COMMEMORATE HERITAGE MONTH

The Market Theatre Laboratory in partnership with the National Heritage Council will bring Heritage Month to a close at The Market Theatre Foundation by hosting a weeklong programme from 26 – 29 September 2024. The programme will celebrate the histories of minoritised identities and galvanise hope and action towards further protection and cultivation of projects that seek to unite, challenge and develop a sustainable democracy.

The programme will place focus on the stories of minoritised culture and identities to celebrate indigenous language systems and indigenous stories. It will also make room for indigenous narratives and languages to take up space in our creative spaces.

As part of the celebrations, The Lab presents their next Theatre Think Tank instalment, curated by artist-researcher Pule kaJanolintji (Tūkx’aoseb) together with the presentation of Swartwater, a theatre production by Nama Khoi Productions. For the Theatre Think Tank, titled Sida !Hūb: Performing The Land, Pule will bring together two panellists to share their embodied knowledge and research. Collectively, they will tell the story of how land is culture and culture is land, placing minoritised culture and identities at the forefront of the conversation.

The Lab’s Theatre Think Tanks serve as an invaluable exploration and reflection on the wealth of knowledge enacted, embodied and performed by practitioners in the arts, culture and heritage field. The specific aim is to gather, organise and ultimately draw on the knowledge of local communities, making this accessible to the greater community. 

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This Heritage Month iteration of the Theatre Think Tank will unpack the notion of how minoritisation of culture is the dispossession of land, especially when it comes to issues of indigeneity and authenticity. If you are engaged in the arts, or are just curious, don’t miss the Sida !Hūb: Performing The Land Theatre Think Tank which starts at 12h00 on Sunday, 29 September 2024 at The Market Square in Newtown.

The Think Tank is a FREE event.

The production, Swartwater, tells the story about the losses experienced by the Nama Khoi indigenous people during the discovery of diamonds in the 1900s. The story follows a Nama family as they face the painful reality of once again being asked to uproot their lives and leave Swartwater, for the Cape Colony. Through the eyes of Tieles, who is in the process of departing Swartwater, audiences are taken on an emotional journey of profound loss as they unpack the previous forced removals from Dunvlei and Ariesdrift. Swartwater guides the audience through a profound exploration of grief, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a people determined to overcome adversity.

Speaking on the upcoming programme, the head of The Market Theatre Lab, Cherae Halley, says: “Theatre has always had the ability to open dialogue, raise awareness and challenge social norms which often can lead to meaningful action. This Heritage-centred programme will provoke audiences as we look Genocide in the face and engage with the view that land and heritage cannot be separate matters. There is a minoritised culture and minoritised identities in Southern Africa, that need to be repositioned in the patchwork of our African story. I believe both the Think Tank and the production of Swartwater will remind us of that. This is how The Lab wishes to commemorate notions of heritage and culture this month.”

At the helm of Nama Khoi Productions is an extraordinary theatre-maker, Geralt Cloete, whose work is focused on sharing the experiences of the Nama people. Nama Khoi Productions is  situated in Sanddrift, a community on the outskirts of the Northern Cape, in the Namaqualand Region. To bring their work to Johannesburg will assist in expanding the reach of their stories and invite Johannesburg audiences to honour such stories as well as contribute to the developing knowledge of a past not often spoken about.

Audiences can catch their production of Swartwater from Thursday, 26 September to Sunday, 29 September 2024.

To purchase your ticket for this event, kindly visit Webtickets.

ENDS

For enquiries, please contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongip@marketheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

For reduced price block bookings (of 10 or more) and school groups, contact Anthony Ezeoke (Audience Development) at AnthonyE@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950 or Mamello Khomongoe at mamellok@markettheatre.co.za 0815729612.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Pule kaJanolintji:

Pule kaJanolintji (Tūkx’aoseb) is an artist-researcher and cultural technologist working in transdisciplinary peer-learning based in endogenous cultural history and philosophy, with a focus on siNtu Khwemana, and !Ui-Taa language traditions. Pule’s work engages, for example, the |Xam archive through the lens of linguistic philosophy and ontologies of sign, as a scholar of cultural history of Southern African speech practice, presenting this work in artistic form in laboratories such as the Centre for the Less Good Idea, and at various in academic and cultural institutions, such as the School of Commons based at the Zürich University of the Arts. Pule was the administrator of the Khoen di !Nora!noras ǁGū!nans group founded by the late Rassool Snyman, and continues to engage issues of marginalised endogenous traditions of !Naremâb and Azania. Pule has worked as a researcher in the South African government at the National Language Service, and as a guest lecturer at many universities, primarily advocating for the writing systems of the continent, particular the pan-siNtu indigenous writing system, Ditema tsa Dinoko.

About Nama Khoi Productions:

Nama Khoi Productions, established in June 2022 by Geralt Cloete, is made up of a group of young individuals and Khoi activists who use the arts as a methodology to promote, preserve and develop the indigenous knowledge of the Nama Khoi language and culture. They are dedicated to share the experiences of the Nama Khoi people and their culture through the stories they tell and productions they produce. Their award-winning productions continue to raise awareness of the indigenous people located in the Namaqualand Region.

About the Market Theatre Lab:

Homed under the umbrella of The Market Theatre Foundation, The Market Theatre Lab is a multi-award-winning arts incubator, with a reputation for facilitating the development of exceptional young theatre-makers, facilitators, actors, writers and directors, and for creating innovative and relevant new plays. With multiple local, African and global partners, the Lab strives to create enriching experiences that contribute to the personal and artistic growth of each person who participates in our programmes. When the Market Theatre Laboratory opened its doors in 1989, the intention of its founders, Vanessa Cooke, Dr John Kani and Barney Simon, was to provide opportunities to talented youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who would not otherwise be able to pursue their passion for the arts or study further. This remains an integral part of the Lab’s purpose, along with a determination to assist young artists to build sustainable careers, and to create space and visibility for subaltern experiences, voices and identities. The Market Theatre Laboratory is led by Cherae Halley, with all projects managed by Thandeka Nheke.

Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro 

Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro

Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro, draws inspiration from the character Toloki in South African author Zakes Mda’s novels Cion and Ways of Dying. In this piece the message of death and its dire consequences are infused through a lament to be able to confront a universe in which the age-old tropes of greed, power and religion have given rise to loss of life not as a natural phenomenon. Toloki, the professional mourner weaves through this virtual landscape of dissolution giving rise to a catharsis of universal grief that will conquer the sadness, the hard reality continuing to permeate the living confronted by death that is not their own, often so unexpected, brutal and merciless.

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Set in a graveyard with the persistent cries of people in mourning and the a cappella music of Isicathamiya in our languages lead by a quartet to the creative arrangement and composition by Nhlanhla Mahlangu that vividly elicits emotions associated with the loss of life performed dancers who are themselves possessed by the spirit and being one with the departed souls and finally laying them to rest for peace and humanity to prevail. Gregory Maqoma’s message through this work is that we need to pause for a moment and urgently think about the pain inflicted on others by the actions of others.

New Afrikaans Play by Christo Davids Deals with People Living with Disabilities

New Afrikaans Play by Christo Davids Deals with People Living with Disabilities

The Market Theatre and Momentum Beleggins Aardklop look forward to presenting the premiere productions of Laaitie mettie biscuits, a compelling new Afrikaans play written and directed by renowned theatre-maker, Christo Davids.

The play will run from 24 – 28 September 2024 at Momentum Beleggings Aardklop in Potchefstroom, before coming to the Market Theatre for a season starting from 2 – 27 October 2024.

This gripping story by Davids tells the story of Noah – a teenage boy who is mentally challenged and dreams of becoming a policeman, and of looking after his mother and his community.

Thematically, Laaitie mettie biscuits offers a critical assessment of how societies treat people living with disabilities, while honestly interrogating policing ethics, injustices, community safety and human rights. Moreover, it confronts what and who societies consider normal, fearlessly exposing our bias against those who don’t look like us.  

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Speaking as both the writer and director of the work, Davids shares, “The question we must answer is: What and who is normal? Is Noah abnormal in a normal community? Or is Noah normal in an abnormal community…?”

The brilliant cast includes Wayne van Rooyen, Stephanie Baartman, Carla Classen and Joshwin Dyson. The creative team alongside Davids is completed by Jade Bowers’s set design, Jak Brits designing lighting, and Mariska Meyer designing the costumes.

According to the Market Theatre’s Artistic Director, Greg Homann, this production presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made as a nation in ensuring inclusivity and dignity for all.

“The Market Theatre has always been at the centre of critical conversations about topical issues. As a space, we continuously stage bold productions that prick at our collective conscience as a nation, hold authorities accountable and affirm our shared humanity. With courageous honesty, outrageous brilliance and contagious humour, Laaitie mettie biscuits will awaken South Africans to the lived experiences of those on the periphery because they were born ‘different’,” remarks Greg Homann.

Homann emphasises the timeliness of this important production, following the crowning of Mia Le Roux as the first ever Miss SA with a disability.

This captivating play is presented at a profound moment when the arts and social reality are at an intersection. As the nation celebrates the crowning of a Miss South Africa emerging from our society where living with disability, inclusion, diversity and the protection of the marginalised reclaim their place in our national discourse. Laaitie mettie biscuits by the award-winning Davids illustrates the power of using the arts to advocate for the freedoms of others, speak truth to power and become a voice for the unheard.

Christo Davids is not a stranger to bold theatre and the representation of the marginalised. Laaitie mettie biscuits follows up on his award-winning Queenie-they, which highlighted the plight of homeless people.

Davids is a prolific actor, theatre and filmmaker who has established himself as a darling in the hearts of many audiences. Boasting a decades-long career that includes roles in SABC 2’s 7de Laan, The Boy Called Twist and Forgiveness.

Laaitie mettie biscuits will debut at Aardklop in Potchefstroom at the end of September before immediately transferring to The Market Theatre where it will run through most of October. Be sure to catch this brand new play which will do doubt make the audience laugh and, of course, cry. You will not be left untouched!

ENDS

For enquiries, please contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@marketheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

For reduced price block bookings (of 10 or more) and school groups, contact Anthony Ezeoke (Audience Development) at AnthonyE@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950 or Mamello Khomongoe mamellok@markettheatre.co.za 0815729612.

CION

CION

Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro (PG5+)

Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Boléro, draws inspiration from the character Toloki in South African author Zakes Mda’s novels Cion and Ways of Dying. In this piece the message of death and its dire consequences are infused through a lament to be able to confront a universe in which the age-old tropes of greed, power and religion have given rise to loss of life not as a natural phenomenon.

Toloki, the professional mourner weaves through this virtual landscape of dissolution giving rise to a catharsis of universal grief that will conquer the sadness, the hard reality continuing to permeate the living confronted by death that is not their own, often so unexpected, brutal and merciless.

Set in a graveyard with the persistent cries of people in mourning and the a cappella music of Isicathamiya in our languages lead by a quartet to the creative arrangement and composition by Nhlanhla Mahlangu that vividly elicits emotions associated with the loss of life performed dancers who are themselves possessed by the spirit and being one with the departed souls and finally laying them to rest for peace and humanity to prevail. Gregory Maqoma’s message through this work is that we need to pause for a moment and urgently think about the pain inflicted on others by the actions of others.

Buy Tickets