The central premise of the play is an existential examination of the hearts of humans; what it means to love, to have a meaningful life and, how fate and chance can either enrich or derail personal dreams and agency. Emotive, philosophical, humorous and often deadpan; the piece is a mosaic of performance flowers waiting to bloom

Palesa Mazamisa who is widely considered as one of the finest directors working today, celebrated by her peers for having a perceptive eye in creating captivating characters. Mazamisa is an award-winning playwright, author, and director. Her play Shoes & Coups received 7 nominations including Best New South African Script, Best Director & Best Production, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor from the prestigious national Naledi Theatre Awards. The play went on to win the Best New South African Script and the Best Supporting Actor awards.

Novelist, playwright, entrepreneur and brand marketing and communications professional, Nthikeng Mohlele, authored six critically acclaimed novels and two short story collections. He dabbles in journalistic writing and literary criticism and, is the winner of the University of Johannesburg Main Prize for South African Writing In English for Pleasure, the K Sello Duiker Memorial Prize and was also long listed for the Dublin International Prize.

Sipamla, an all-round Performer, Facilitator and Director of SirenzQ (Pty) Ltd. Nqobile’s debut was in the multi – award winning play The Suitcase in 2006 which earned her the Naledi Theatre Award for Best New Comer/Breakthrough 2006. She was also recently nominated at the South African Film & Television Awards ( Safta) for her lead role as Thuli on the sitcom Abomzala. Sipamla will give audiences transformative experience when you morph along with her on stage.

The second superb installation of the Women’s Month Celebration is the Tony Award Winning production Ruined by Lynn Nottage from 5 August – 4 September 2022 which will have its South Africa premier under the directorship of Clive Mathibe. The  phenomenal ensemble includes film leading ladies and gents, Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala, Shoki Mmola, Fulu Mugovhani, and Samu Maseko, Molefe Monaise, Edward Nkumishe, Thapelo Sebogodi, Anele Situlweni and Vaughn Lucas.

Ruined involves the plight of a group of women in the civil war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Set in Mama Nadi’s bar – a haven for miners, government soldiers and rebel militia, where they come to forget the ruins of war, to drink and dance with women and feed their desires. The play centres on the lives of the women working in the bar and their resolve to survive despite the atrocities they have experienced

Catch these unmissable and thought provoking productions at the Market Theatre buy your tickets now!

I Am A Woman and Ruined are made possible by the generous support from the by Eyesizwe Mining Development Trust.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION CREATIVE TEAM

Author:                                       Nthikeng Mohlele

Director:                                     Palesa Mazamisa   

Lighting Designer:                 Simon King

Set & Props Designer:          Karabo Mtshali        

Sound Designer:                     Vangile Mpumlwana

AV Designer:                              Luzuko Ntshidi          

Costume Designer:                Nthabiseng Makone

Stage Manager:                        Lutendo Cynthia Mudau    

Cast:

Nqobile Sipamla as Mmabatho

Season:                  Tuesday 19 July – 14 August 2022

Venue:                     Mannie Manim Theatre   

Performance times:       Tuesday – Saturday @19h00 and Sunday @15h00

Ticket prices:       Tuesday – Thursday R90

Friday – Saturday R150

Sunday – R130

To make block bookings and discounts please contact Anthony Ezeoke 011 832 1641ext 203/ 083 246 4950 or Bandile Luvalo 078 4344 860

For further information, interviews and images, contact:

Lusanda Zokufa 072 367 7867 or lusandaz@markettheatre.co.za and Desmond Mathebula 062 329 4741 or desmondm@markettheatre.co.z

The Ditshomo Schools Outreach Programme will involve the Market Theatre interacting with Grade 11 & 12 learners from selected schools in greater Johannesburg area to educate them about the social relevance of the performing arts as they contribute to social cohesion and at the same time introduce them to the different career opportunities that the performing arts can offer. The students are guided gently into the limitless opportunities in the Entertainment Industry. They will have one on one opportunities to work with industry experts in directing, scriptwriting and design this will help them learn, develop and grow.

Celebrating this years big 46^th Market Theatre birthdays James Ngcobo and Luthando Mngomezulu will be presenting Litambwa – stories of our times Vignettes of story told through the lens of our young on Sunday 19 June 2022. Litambwa , a celebration of stories from our streets, stories that unpack the diverse characters that walk the length and breadth of this country. Stories penned by the next generation of wordsmiths. Celebrating Youth Month and the  Market Theatre birthday with a collage of stories told by playwrights who are writing their first work for the Market Theatre spaces.

The Market Theatre Laboratory and KwaSha Theatre Company are both presenting work at the live National Arts Festival this year between 23 June and 3 July. KwaSha, a collaborative project of the Market Theatre Laboratory and Windybrow Arts Centre, perform in Fanon’s The Drowning Eye directed by Tamara Guhrs. With dramaturgy by Stacy Hardy, and in academic collaboration with the University of Chicago, this work is presented at a time when Fanon’s writing has a new relevance for a generation of young South Africans questioning the limits and possibilities of revolution today. This production is supported by the French Institute of South Africa and Mazars.

Also at the National Arts Festival, the Lab second year students present KAK!, a contemporary interpretation and celebration of the work of iconic playwright, poet and human rights activist, Maishe Maponya, who passed away in September 2021. KAK! is a hard-hitting satirical play, drawing from Maishe Maponya’s last work which is an anthology of poems – Truth be told: Da’s Kak in die Land . The play is devised by award-winning writer and director Josias Dos Moleele in collaboration with the cast and award-winning choreographer Mdu Nhlapo. This daring piece  addresses uncomfortable topics such as corruption, poor service delivery, gender inequality, racism and more.

The display of young people at the Foundation demonstrates the intention of foundation giving young people a platform to expression and shaping a narrative that will make a difference in the future.

For further information, interviews and images, contact:

Lusanda Zokufa 072 367 7867 or lusandaz@markettheatre.co.za and Desmond Mathebula 062 329 4741 or desmondm@markettheatre.co.za

Market Theatre Foundation is set to maintain an authentic South African cultural experience which is committed to providing the highest level of artistic excellence in all aspects of the performing and visual arts in which the education and development of a diverse community of artists, audiences and technicians is assured.

Artistic director James Ngcobo stated that even though the sector had to deal with the calamity of the last two years, this pandemic did not stop all their efforts as a sector to keep making work for theatre enthusiast.

The Market Theatre continues to play a vital role in unearthing young voices and creating of thought-provoking works that’s evident variety of work that where acknowledged this past Monday. That role has been amply rewarded this year with so many of its performers and productions being found worthy candidates for the industry’s prestigious Naledi awards.

“Thanks to all the Naledi judges who kept coming to the theatre to watch the works that we have been programming in the bleakest of all times”said James Ngcobo

List of winners below:

• BEST PRODUCTION: TERTIARY-/INCUBATOR THEATRE Peeling Shadows by KwaSha Theatre Company in association with the Market Theatre Laboratory    
• BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Ruan Wessels Brothers Prod. by the Market Theatre

• BEST ORIGINAL SCORE / ARRANGEMENT / ADAPTATION

Simon Kohler Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatre Rocket

• BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SOLO PRODUCTION

Sandra Prinsloo Kamphoer Prod. by the Market Theatre and the Roodepoort Theatre, in association with Theatrerocket

• BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

Kosie Smit Brothers Prod. by the Market Theatre

• BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY

Joint Andre Odendaal Dop Prod. by the Market Theatre

Joint Thabo Malema A Better Life Prod. by the Market Theatre

BEST PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

A Better Life   Prod. by the Market Theatre

The Market Theatre Foundation salutes all nominees and winners

For further information, interviews and images, contact: Desmond Mathebula 062 329 4741 or desmondm@markettheatre.co.za

He takes over the reins from Christine McDonald who took early retirement from March  2022. McDonald was appointed in 2003 and joined the foundation as a consultant brought in by the Department of Arts and Culture to implement a turnaround strategy and provide  change from the foundation’s disarray financial state to a financially stable institution. In addition to her financial portfolio, she has successfully managed building projects for the foundation worth more than R150 million. Since her arrival the Market Theatre Foundation has enjoyed clean financial audits.

“My journey at the MTF of 18,5 years started in October 2003 with a 6-month contract – and here I still am! Les Phillips and Seelan Naidoo (a consultant) interviewed me, and they motivated to John Kani (the CEO at the time) to appoint me.” Thanks a lot for the guidance. I learnt so much from people like Malcom Purkey, Regina Sebright, Vanessa Cooke, and many others during the 18 years. I am very glad to say I leave behind a very capable Finance Department” said Christine.

The truth is Managers, not processes run an organisation, as the trio challenge themselves to finding new ways of sustaining and managing this iconic institution to inspire future generations.

The newly appointed CFO Mlungisi Mkhayiphe had this to say “It is an honour to join the MTF. I view this as an opportunity to learn and also contribute to the realization of the organisation’s vision. This position comes with a huge responsibility of ensuring compliance, safeguarding, effective and efficient management of the MTF resources. My assessment of the MTF’s annual reports shows that it is a financially stable organisation, I will dedicate my energy to stabilize and ensure that the theatre continues on a solid growth path.

The Market Theatre Foundation will continue being a leading institution that provides opportunities to South Africa’s emerging voices, nurturing practitioners and development of young creatives.

For more information please contact Lusanda Zokufa 072 367 7867 lusandaz@markettheatre.co.za or Desmond Mathebula 062 329 4741 desmondm@markettheatre.co.za