EMINENT VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

ASKARI is a story of freedom fighters and community activists who are turned to be deadly assassins, double agents, informers and intelligence analysts. It tells the story of men and women who infiltrated organized civic movements and student organisations for recruiting unsuspecting youth and influential leaders. This story interrogates the decisions that led to their choice of turning from community activists to mass killers. The story goes deep into the personal account of these individuals who administered pain, fear and death. These stories of betrayal, death, redemption, and forgiveness are captured through dazzling music, dance, and powerful storytelling.

This action packed production is based on real events, the action-packed political thriller relates the story of freedom fighters who were double agents, informers and intelligence analysts, and deadly assassins for the Vlakplaas counterinsurgency unit that specialised in executing and torturing anti-apartheid activists

The play seeks to honour the struggle heroes who died in the torture chambers of Vlakplaas and also reconcile the nation.

Presented by the SAST in association with Mantimakhulu PTY LTD and the Market Theatre, the production takes a musical play format with captivating choreography being accompanied by score from a six-piece band featuring Nhlapo and Cromwell Modungwa as Musical Directors. Original cast members including Abongile Matyutyu (as Thomas Maseko), Soyiso Ndaba (Boboza Khumalo), Monica Muller (Marita Swanepoel), and Kagiso Matlala (Thembi Madida) reprise their roles as Actor Wilf Mahne assumes the villain character of Gert Swanepoel.

ASKARI is a pulsating political thriller filled with high action, impeccable visual aesthetics and its hugely entertaining production that you cannot afford to miss!

Buy your tickets now

PRODUCTION INFORMATION:

Writers                                  Sello Maseko and Mdu Nhlapo

Director                                Sello Maseko

Musical Directors            Mdu Nhlapo and Cromwell Modungwa

Choreographer:                 Mdu Nhlapo

Set Designer:                       Masai Sepuru

Performers:

Wilf Mahne (as Gert Swanepoel)

Abongile Matyutyu (Thomas Maseko)

Soyiso Ndaba (Boboza Khumalo)

Monica Muller (Marita Swanepoel)

Kagiso Matlala (Thembi Madida)

Nhlakanipho Mkongi (Thembi Madida)

Teboho Tladi (Kedibone Modiga)

Boipelo Charlotte Mokaila (Thokozile Madida)

Muzi Masikane (Askari)

Sibonelo Mchunu (Askari)

Thabiso Mfusi (Askari)

Season:                                              Thursday 20 – 23 Sunday 2022 

Venue:                                                The John Kani

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

Ticket prices:                                  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

“I am especially excited as House of Pink Vol. 2 has also become a platform for queer artists who have been previously sidelined from performing on mainstream platforms such as of the Market Theatre stature. As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s also Celebrate each other as a people as  human, see each other, respect each other and most importantly let’s show each other Respect through Love. I am Truly Honoured once again to be Directing this Exceptional Drag show with 6 Beautiful Drag Artists” said Lebogang Toko.

House of Pink Vol 2 will not only bring to the fore important issues that relate to the struggles and lived experiences of Queer people in South Africa, but will also celebrate and elevate Queer artistry.

Drag is consistently breaking down gender norms and can thus be seen as ‘gender bending’. The art of drag allows one to transform oneself into absolutely anything. It is over the top, unapologetic and commands attention. Drag is AUDACIOUS!  

The artistry of drag is the ultimate colourful form of self-expression. House of Pink Volume 2 celebrates the art form in all its majestic glory with fun and laughter.

House of Pink Volume 2 will leave audiences breathlessly gushing over every diva on stage! Join us for an experience of a lifetime for as little as R150 per ticket!

Brace yourselves for a night of fierceness, fun and great entertainment.

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