The original one-act play sits as a canonic piece of French playwriting by Romanian-French playwright Eugène Ionesco – one of the founding fathers of the theatre of the absurd. This well-loved play has been translated into dozens of languages, and its core message is no less relevant today than when it was first performed in the aftermath of the second world war.

This new version by multi-award-winning theatre maker, Greg Homann, has been updated to connect more directly with a South African audience. The broad structure of the play remains the same, as does the dramatic arc but the language and politics of the work has been shifted to focus on the complexity of a post-colonial education in a contemporary setting.

“I’m interested in how the legacy of a colonial education system impacts students today. The national cry to decolonise education, and especially the Rhodes Must Fall Movement, have sharply highlighted the complexity of teaching and learning in a South African university. The Lesson is a theatrical way to represent and explore that politics.” said Greg Homann

Working together with Homann as the Assistant Director is the highly creative Nana Pooe.

“After two years of being restricted to work on our theatre craft due to Covid 19, I feel extremely honoured to be working alongside Greg Homann on this production. Not only is the timing perfect but the politics which arise in The Lesson, and the themes in it, are closest to my heart – systems of oppression, social order, and education…among others” – Says Nana Pooe.

Homann moved to the UK shortly before the pandemic and returns to Johannesburg to direct this stirring and reenergized adaptation of the original play.

“Relocating to the UK in 2019 was always with the intention of continuing to create work and opportunities that were centered around being South African. I saw the move as a way to challenge how I explore my identity and theatre work beyond the space and home that was so familiar to me. The pandemic has undoubtedly made that challenge greater, and as tough as it has been, it has in some positive ways fed my creativity in aspects that I could never have imagined. I’m now more excited than ever to be back in Johannesburg to work on The Lesson at The Market Theatre with a brilliant cast and team.” concluded Greg Homann

The comic-drama’s contemporary resonances are clear – it captures the headiness and absolute power of oppressive and toxic patriarchal forms of knowledge production on unsuspecting innocents.

Don’t miss this funny, breath-taking and chilling look at what happens when power, knowledge and culture collide.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION CREATIVE TEAM

Adapter and Director:                                Greg Homann

Assistant Director:                                        Nana Pooe

Lighting Designer:                                         Nomvula Molepo

Set Designer:                                                    Wilhelm Disbergen

Sound Designer:                                              Vangile Z. Mpumlwana

Costume Designer:                                        Onthatile Matshidiso

Stage Manager:                                                Bongani Motsepe

Cast:

Graham Hopkins                                              as Professor

Fiona Ramsay                                                     as Marie

Lihle Ngubo                                                         as Student

Season:                                                                   Sunday 9 October – Sunday 30 October 2022  

Venue:                                                                    The Mannie Manim    

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.za

1. The First encounter was themed around “The importance of training within the arts” and housed more than 80 pupils with a panel of four, which included seasoned actress Zandile Msutwana, veteran Camilla Waldman and Professor Sarah Roberts.
2. The Second encounter was then centered around “Multiple income streams & financial management” and this time housed more than 120 pupils in the Wits Main Theatre. The second encounter was made out of a panel of five which included two-time Emmy nominee Thuso Mbedu, veteran Fiona Ramsay and Hlomla Dandala, Kamogelo Molatlhoe and hosted by Candise Modiselle.
3. The Third encounter was themed on “How the Copyright Amendment Bill Affects Young Creatives” and housed over 90 young people. This was made up of a panel of 4 – which included Carylnn de Waal- Smit, Jace Nair, Rehad Desai and Hosted by award winning Actor – Jack Devnarain.
4. The Fourth encounter was themed on “Industry Readiness Tools” and was hosted in Cape Town, Khayelitsha housing over 150 young people. The panel was made up of award winning actor Bongile Mantsai, Ntomboxolo Makhutshi, Faniswa Yisa, Adrian Galley and hosted by Vanessa Ntlapo.
5. The Fifth encounter was themed on “Opportunities behind the camera” housing over 200 young people. The panel was made up of Angus Gibson, Zeno Petersen, Retti Ramaphakela, Bongile Ndaba and hosted by Nolo Seabi
6. The Sixth encounter was themed on “The creative process of storytelling” housing over 100 young people during COVID. The panel was made up of Paul Ramaema, Neo Sibiya , Layla Swarts and Hosted by Shonisani Masutha.

The seventh Encounter is set to be hosted at the Market Theatre on August 24th at 15:00. Our panelists will look at the topic on “Tools of navigating the industry post Drama/Film School. This time around we will be joined by Bonga Percy Vilakazi, Bonnie Lee Bouman , Vivek Mehta , Zethu Dlomo Mphahlele and Thabo Malema hosted by Siphesihle Ndaba.

Transferred to a concentration camp she is held captive in a cage and guarded by the unwilling British soldier who seeks the truth surrounding the murders in a game of ritual and escapism. What is disclosed in the touching end sheds light not only on the ravaging effects war has on humans today, but sees two characters find solace in each other’s pain and loss.

PAST REVIEWS

Artslink – “The setting is a unique one – the Boer war not being the most romantic or exotic of settings for a love story to unfold – but the themes are poignantly relevant. Difficult topics such as family murders are tackled head on, and questions raised as to whether there is a justifiable situation in which to take others’ lives. The Parrot Woman also shines a bleak light on how war can break the human psyche, driving good, moral people to make decisions they never would contemplate otherwise.”

Cape Times – “The Parrot Woman allows audiences a glimpse into a slice of history not frequently interrogated on stage. Viewing the Anglo-Boer War through the lens of this unusual relationship renders the past more vivid and is a painful reminder that not all casualties of war die on the battlefields.”

Oxford Daily – “Powerful theatrical experience by one of South Africa’s foremost playwrights.”

The Citizen – “A remarkable piece of theater by Charles J. Fourie.”

The Argus – “Gripping theater!”

The Star – “A must see!.”

PRODUCTION INFORMATION CREATIVE TEAM

Writer and Director:                 Charles J Fourie

Lighting Designer:                       Wesley France

Set & Props Designer:              Jade Bowers

Movement Coach:                       MoMo Matsunyane 

Stage manager                               Ali Madiga

Stage manager intern                Sanelisiwe Gumede

Cast:

Andre Lotter as Venter

Gontse Ntshegang as Itatuleng Strydom

Season:                 Friday 26^th August – Sunday 25^th September 2022

Venue:                  The Mannie Manim     

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.za

This ceremony is inspired by the significance of Shabangu’s relationship with number of prestigious cultural institutions globally but there is no institution that occupies a more profound space in the genesis and evolution of Shabangu’s professional theatre career than the Market Theatre.

“As the Market Theatre Foundation we are shocked and saddened by Mncedis’s sudden passing. He was a part of our history – from being an alumnus of the Laboratory, performing in a number of productions staged at the Market Theatre and ultimately giving back through directing and mentoring others. A true ambassador of the arts.

We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends and wish them comfort in the midst of the pain” said Tshiamo Mokgadi the CEO of the Market Theatre Foundation.

The media and all artists, producers and other professionals in the Creative Industries are

invited to join us in celebrating the life of Mncedisi Shabangu through this memorial service.

For more information please contact:

Desmond Mathebula

Media and Publicity – Market Theatre

Email: desmond@markettheatre.co.za 

“I join the MTF at a time where the industry was re-opening after the restriction that came with the Covid-19 pandemic, so there is a huge responsibility on our part in reshaping how we drive audiences back to the theatre, but also providing access and creating opportunities for professionals in the arts, through training and creating work opportunities. I look forward to being part of the team that’s responsible for reimaging how we grow our business for the benefit of future generations” said an excited Zingisa Jemsana

The Market Theatre Foundation is also on an extensive hunt to fill the Artistic Director position in the next few months – watch the space for exciting new developments.

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

Mama Nadi takes “damaged” girls into her brothel/bar and profits from them, but also protects them from the brutality of the world outside her doors. As  such, the women do a fragile dance between hope and disillusionment in an attempt to navigate life on the edge of an unforgiving conflict.

We also meet soldiers and commanders on both sides of the conflict, all frequent customers at Mama’s bar. Ruined was developed during playwright Lynn Nottage’s pilgrimage to Africa, where she interviewed girls and women who themselves were, and continue to be, the battleground upon which war is fought.

Nottage is a multi-award winning American author born in Brooklyn, New York. At age 8, she had already written her first play. Nottage is a graduate of New York’s High School of Music and Art in Harlem. She enrolled at Brown University where she received her B.A degree. She continued her studies and received her M.F.A degree in playwright at Yale School of Drama. Lynn’s plays are being produced worldwide.

Ruined is directed by Clive Mathibe who is a formidable theatre and television writer/director and creative producer. In 2021, Mathibe adapted and directed literary giant, Espkia Mphahlele’s ‘Father Come Home’ at the Market Theatre as part of the centinary celebrations to honor Mphahlele. The production enjoyed rave reviews as well as packed houses re-affirming Mathibe’ s distinctive and necessary creative voice. Mathibe says this about returning to The Market to direct Ruined; “I am thrilled and honored to be telling this story with some notable collaborators in the design team as well as the impeccable cast!”

Ruined offers a graphic portrait of women as lasting victims of war but also shines the light on the self-resilience women of the Congo have after the multiple sufferings inflicted on them. Without minimizing the pain, the production becomes a tribute to women’s endurance.

Ruined is a brilliant play that jolts our consciences about a forgotten conflict. Audiences will emerge both shaken and stirred!

This gut-wrenching production was made possible by the generous support from Eyesizwe Mining Development Trust.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION CREATIVE TEAM

Writer:                                                                         Lynn Nottage  

Director:                                                                     Clive Mathibe    

Music Director & Sound Designer:             Banda Banda

Lighting Designer:                                                 Hlomohang Mothetho

Set & Props Designer:                                         Karabo Legoabe

Costume Designer:                                               Motshidisi Manyaneng

Stage Manager:                                                       Lebeisa Molapo

Stage Manager Intern:                                        Irvin Taylor

Cast:

Anele Situlweni

Vaugh Lucas Callaway  

Edward Nkhumishe

Fulu Mugovhani

Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala

Molefi Monaisa

Sami Maseko

Shoki Mmola

Thapelo Sebogodi

Season:                                               Tuesday 9 August – Sunday 4 September 2022

Venue:                                                 The John Kani 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.za

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