Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! 2024

Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! 2024

Imaginary Lines - None are free until all are free.

This year Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! will take place on Africa Day, the 25th May 2024.

The parade started in 2016, an event for Hillbrow, initiated by the late super-heroine Lesley Perkes, who had dreams for this place that others have continued to manifest. We continued in 2017 and 2018 and then relaunched the event on Human Rights Day in 2022. Last year, we invited Kyla Davis (Well Worn Theatre) Tamzyn Botha (Shade) and Daniel Buckland to curate and manage the 2023 iteration of the street procession in collaboration with the Kwasha! Theatre Company as part of our Africa Month Festival. 

This year under the creative direction of Tamzyn Botha and Daniel Buckland the streets around Windybrow will come alive to celebrate the theme of Imaginary Lines – None are free until all are free. 

Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! is a parade of fabulous public performances bringing joy, play and wonder to the streets of Hillbrow on Africa Day, 25 May 2024. Emphasising the connections made with various local community organisations, artists and participants.

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Five wonderful facilitators, namely Daniel Buckland, Exotically Divine, Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi, Khathala Nkomo and Andrew Wispa worked alongside Kwasha! Theatre Company with community groups Lefika La Phodiso, Gcebile Dlamini Foundation and Johannesburg Society for the Blind, Fight with Insight, Innovation of Excellence and Dlala Nje. Months of work curating costumed performances and curated happenings that drew inspiration from our theme by exploring the merging of worlds and the lines that connect us all. 

We are joined further with performances and collaborations by local organisations and artists namely MES, Shade Youth Art Programme, African Reclaimers Organisation, George’s Boxing Gym, Johannesburg Awakening Minds, Three2Six, ToGaTa, Ezase-Vaal Brass band, Sentech Croozers, Windybrows’s Choir, Marimba players in partnership with marimba Jam and Literacy Group, facilitated by Sisaxhoba Magama, Sue-Anne Hamer and Devorah Rothman – UJ Art Therapy Honours students), David Gara and The Cirk. 

The parade returns to ignite the possibilities of community action and connection when artists, makers and youth come together to showcase a shared sense of collective dreaming to shine a light on the importance of public space, by utilizing surprise and provocation as a tool for connection and collective awareness. 

In bringing these groups together, the Windybrow Arts Centre expresses its commitment to developing genuine and reciprocal relationships with its neighbours, and by offering a space for young people to explore the arts. It also introduces Kwasha! Theatre Company to the neighbourhood in which it will work, play, teach, and perform this year.

We receive support from Ekhaya CID, Badboys Security, Hillbrow Police, Assitej South Africa, Joburg Photowalkers and the City of Johannesburg.

Save the date – because the 25th of May we will pay an homage to the imaginary lines that weave and hold the narratives that connect us all. 

Ballaké Sissoko and Derek Gripper: A New African String Theory

Ballaké Sissoko and Derek Gripper: A New African String Theory

Ballaké Sissoko and Derek Gripper play at the Market Theatre as part of their very first SA tour, on the back of concerts in the US, Turkey, France, Switzerland and Sweden, they finally make it back home.

Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko has taken over the mantle of the greatest touring kora player. Derek Gripper is South Africa’s leading guitarist whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works. “In the complex web of theme and variations spun by Sissoko’s twenty-two strings and Gripper’s six, a new African string theory is elaborated.

In collaboration with the Alliance Francais and Air

France.

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Malian virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko has taken over the mantle of the greatest touring kora player. Derek Gripper is South Africa’s leading guitarist whose love of the kora set him transcribing and recording some of its greatest works. “In the complex web of theme and variations spun by Sissoko’s

twenty-two strings and Gripper’s six, a new African string theory is elaborated.

Interval: 15 minutes

 

BandaBanda Agency in association with the Market Theatre Presents  Jazz in Afrika Concert 

BandaBanda Agency in association with the Market Theatre Presents Jazz in Afrika Concert

BandaBanda Agency produces yet another show in association with the Market Theatre as a double Bill between to Artist BandaBanda & The Crocodiles  and Keenan Meyer. This will be a great celebration of African music as we end Africa Month. 
 
BandaBanda & TheCrocodiles Project 
This Project is an idea of putting great Versatile Musicians from different Parts of the world as collaborations. Banda is Known for the love of music and his unique way of approaching the bass which made him to stand out.
 
Spending time with Bheki Mseleku and Sandile Shange contributed on his growth and taste in music music,  He got to work and tour with top artist like Sibongile Khumalo ,Hugh Masikela ,Busi Mhlongo, Madala Kunene, Thandiswa Mazwai to mention the Few. 
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With the diverse influences of different cultures and backgrounds we can expect something with a lot of influence yet exciting. BandaBanda is always been out spoken about being an African and the  African voice to be heard all over the world. That always turn to come out on his Music.
 
Between all this musicians there is a lot of experience and diversity which makes this project very exciting .The music is written and arranged by BandaBanda. We Fuse  African Music,Funk,Jazz and Latin,  Influences to the sound are bands like  Sixun,TaiwaMolelekwa , Joe Zawinul and the Syndicate, Miles Davis , Manu Dibago ,Salif Keita ,Weather Report. “Its the Music for the World”.
 
“Tell your real story and everyone will hear you”
 
BandaBanda & TheCrocodiles Project  “African Stories”
Keenan Meyer
 
Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Keenan Meyer is a classically trained pianist, composer and Mandela Rhodes scholar. Meyer has had a lifelong relationship with music. From attending concerts produced in his hometown of Bosmont as a young boy, to graduating from the University of Pretoria with a Bachelor of Music Degree majoring in music psychology and piano methodology in 2018.
 
His study of Impressionistic composers such as Ravel and Debussy combined with the melodic elegance of the Romantic style in Rachmaninoff’s music among others, undeniably influenced his performance style and the composition of his own music.
An equally important influence is Meyer’s research on music in South Africa. As part of his Honours degree, he produced a dissertation that examined the role of music in two significant periods of South African history: the fight against apartheid, and the #FeesMustFall movement.
 
He gained a deeper understanding of music’s ability to galvanise human consciousness, a central theme in his debut body of work, The Alchemy of Living.
Meyer also developed a deeper connection to South African Jazz and Jazz icons specifically the tonal palette and spirituality of Abdullah Ibrahim’s music.
 
This background and experience has shaped Meyer’s career and creative output. Meyer’s debut album is a deeply personal snapshot of his journey thus far. It pays tribute to the music he grew up listening to, his travels around Asia and South America, South Africa’s musical traditions and ancestry, and the composers he has studied and loves.

CALL FOR ZWAKALA FESTIVAL 2024/2025 draft

CALL FOR ZWAKALA festival 2024/2025

The Market Theatre invites interested community theatre groups to submit applications to take part in its annual Zwakala Festival – Community Theatre Practitioners Incubator Programme for 2024/2025. 

The Zwakala Festival is a mentoring and a showcase platform for community-based theatre practitioners residing in City Of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.

The programme’s main aim is to improve the skills of writers, directors and performers. It empowers them to create and produce local content of a high standard and trains the next generation of community arts leaders and cultural entrepreneurs. It also takes them through a journey of both the creative and practical sides of producing a professional theatre piece.

Group leaders, writers and directors receive specialised training and resources to improve the quality of their work and their leadership, ultimately benefiting the entire group.

The Incubation Programme is sponsored by the Department of Sports Arts and Culture. Through this programme the department aims to help emerging practitioners to hone their skills through mentorship and propel them to professional status. The process also puts a strong emphasis on home-grown content to hopefully generate exciting new productions for the theatre-going public.

ELIGIBILITY

  • All members of the group must be South African citizens.
  • Groups are to reside within boundaries of City of Johannesburg Regions (A-G).
  • Group members need to be between 18 to 35 years old.
  • Only full-time theatre practitioners can apply, no students/learners allowed to participate.
  • Groups must secure their own rehearsal venue for site visits and fieldwork. No rehearsal venue will be provided by Market Theatre. Market Theatre Foundation will not cover rehearsal venue hire costs.
  • All groups must adhere to the confirmed site visit schedule, no deviations will be allowed. Failure to adhere will result in disqualification. 
  • Failure to comply with all the requirements, will result in immediate disqualification.

Should you meet the above eligibility criteria, the following needs to be submitted for your application to be evaluated:

  • A duly completed showcase application form. 
  • The total number of group members not to exceed ten (10).
  • Selected group are required to provide minimal props, costume and furniture (where applicable) for the Ko Lapeng Showcase.

IMPORTANT DATES:

When applying, groups must ensure that they are available for showcasing as well as fieldwork. Site visits and fieldwork will be as per the festival schedule that will be shared with accurate dates per production.

Roll-out of the festival for 2024/2025 is as follows:

  • Call for application opens 07 May 2024 and closes 31 May 2024
  • Selection 1:  03 – 07 June 2024
  • Ko Lapeng Showcase: 15 – 16 June 2024
  • Fieldwork: July – September 2024
  • Zwakala Festival: 05 – 06 October 2024
  • Zwakala Winner: Stage Reading:

              – Script Development: 14 October – 09 November 2024
              – Group Rehearsals: Stage Reading: 18 – 21 November 2024
              – Stage Reading: 22 November 2024

  • Zwakala Winner: TBC

              – Rehearsals: 2 weeks pick-up rehearsals (Dates TBC)
              – Season: 2 weeks run (Dates TBC)

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Applications can be submitted online via our website: markettheatre.co.za by Friday, 31 May 2024.

N.B: Correspondence will only be limited to successful groups.

FOR ENQUIRIES:

Festival Coordinator

Email: proposals@markettheatre.co.za

Tel: 011 832 – 1641

REGIONS IN THE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY

apply here

NYO Jazz

NYO Jazz

Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra

@Photo credit: Todd Rosenberg

Sean Jones – Artistic Director, Trumpet, and Bandleader

With special guest Alicia Olatuja – Vocals

And featuring South African artists:
Linda Sikhakhane – Saxophone (26 July at 7pm and 27 July at 3pm)
Romy Brauteseth – Bass (27 July at 7pm and 28 July at 3pm)

For the very first time in Africa, hear the brand-new lineup of NYO Jazz as they perform under the leadership of trumpet great Sean Jones. This remarkable ensemble, created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute in 2018, annually brings together some of the most outstanding teen jazz musicians from across the United States, following a comprehensive and highly competitive audition process, to train, perform, and tour with some of the world’s greatest artists while also serving as music ambassadors to audiences around the globe.  This season, NYO Jazz welcomes guest vocalist Alicia Olatuja, who has been praised by The New York Times as “a singer with a strong and luscious tone”.

The diverse programme will include a Carnegie Hall-commissioned work by South African composer Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane, big band classics by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Mary Lou Williams, and new arrangements, as NYO Jazz showcases jazz as a living and limitless art form.

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NYO Jazz’s historic visit to South Africa will include debut performances in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, and marks the first time that one of Carnegie Hall’s three acclaimed national youth ensembles will perform on the African continent. It follows successful international tours by NYO Jazz to some of the most prestigious concert halls and music festivals across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

“The group… performs at a level of musicianship far beyond their years.” – Washington Informer

“You could be pretty confident you were hearing some stars of tomorrow” – The Times, UK

Presented by Carnegie Hall in association with the Market Theatre.

Tour produced by Arte Viva Management.

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Duration: 2 x 45 minute sets with interval.

Tickets available from Webtickets.

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 , Mamello khomongoe 0815729612 mamellok@markettheatre.co.za

General enquiries: nikki@artevivamanagement.com

Media enquiries: benjy@tpwagency.co.za

To learn more about NYO Jazz, visit carnegiehall.org/NYOJazz
Like NYO Jazz on Facebook
Follow NYO Jazz on Instagram
Follow on Twitter at #NYOJazz
See more on YouTube

NYO Jazz 
2024 Roster

Sean Jones – Artistic Director, Bandleader and Trumpet

@Photo by Todd Rosenberg

Alicia Olatuja – Vocals

@ Photo by Harrison Weinstein Photography

NYO Jazz
**Prior NYO Jazz member

Saxophones
Miriam Goroff-Behel, alto saxophone
Isaac Hanson, alto saxophone
Gustavo Cruz, tenor saxophone
Paloma Ximena, tenor saxophone
Ethan Kasparian Weisman, baritone saxophone

Trumpets
Alex Hong, trumpet
Theodore Peebles, trumpet
Lucas Rivero, trumpet
Preston W. Rupert, trumpet **
Skylar Tang, trumpet **

Trombones
Jordan Klein, trombone
Priyanka Magavi, trombone
Bishesh Paudel, trombone
Ava Siu, bass trombone

Rhythm
Vincent Maclauchlan, guitar **
Miles Oppinger, guitar
Carter Bryan, piano
Jasper Zimmerman, piano
Ruby Farmer, bass **
Rayah Thomas, bass
Ethan Oliver, drums
Benjamin Schwartz, drums **

* * * * *

About NYO Jazz

Each US summer, NYO Jazz, led by artistic director Sean Jones, shines a spotlight on the depth of talent found among teen jazz players across the United States. The programme offers talented young musicians, ages 16–19, the opportunity to perform as cultural ambassadors for their country, sharing a uniquely American musical genre with people around the world through an international tour. The members of NYO Jazz have been recognized by Carnegie Hall as being among the finest jazz musicians in the country, following a rigorous and highly competitive audition process.

Since its debut in 2018, NYO Jazz has performed at Carnegie Hall and embarked on acclaimed tours across Europe, Asia, and the United States. Guest artists in past seasons have included vocalists Dianne Reeves, Kurt Elling, Jazzmeia Horn, and Dee Bridgewater. As part of their travel schedule, NYO Jazz musicians also have opportunities to meet and collaborate with young local musicians and experience the richness of different cultures and music.

In 2021, during NYO Jazz’s annual training residency at Purchase College, State University of New York, the band recorded its first full length studio album under the direction of artistic director and bandleader Sean Jones and featuring special guest saxophonist Melissa Aldana. It includes Carnegie Hall-commissioned works for the ensemble from each year of the program exploring themes including social justice, resilience, and the power of music to spark joy. The album, entitled We’re Still Here, was released in June 2022.

NYO Jazz builds on the success of the acclaimed National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) and its sister ensemble for younger musicians NYO2—created by Carnegie Hall in 2013 and 2016, respectively—to bring together the finest young classical musicians from across the country each summer for training, performances and touring. Each of these prestigious national programmes—free to all participants—is dedicated to the proposition that talented young musicians thrive when they have the opportunity to expand their musical, social, and cultural horizons and share their artistry with audiences around the globe.
***

Lead Donors: Hope and Robert F. Smith, The Kovner Foundation, and Beatrice Santo Domingo.  

Global Ambassadors: Michael ByungJu Kim and Kyung Ah Park, Hope and Robert F. Smith, and Maggie and Richard Tsai.

Major support has been provided by Veronica Atkins, Mercedes T. Bass, Ronald E. Blaylock and Petra Pope, Clive and Anya Gillinson, Melanie and Jean E. Salata, Sarah Billinghurst Solomon and Howard Solomon, and Joyce and George Wein Foundation, Inc.

Additional support has been provided by the Alphadyne Foundation, Sarah Arison, Stella and Robert Jones, Martha and Robert Lipp, Beth and Joshua Nash, and David S. Winter.

NYO Jazz is made possible, in part, by an endowment grant from the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme Foundation.

Dlala Wena: Saturday Showcases 

Dlala Wena: Saturday Showcases

The Market Lab is excited to announce a return of the Saturday Showcases, Dlala Wena!

Many moons ago, theatre practitioners from all around Johannesburg would gather at the Market Lab on a Saturday and present their work-in-progress to an open audience for constructive criticism and artistic input. This year, the Lab team will host two showcases, one in May and one in August – open to creatives between the ages of 16 – 35. You’re invited to secure your place and showcase an extract of your new creative project by clicking on the link below and we’ll provide you with a date.  

Be brave and let’s play!

Apply here

KING OF BROKEN THINGS

KING OF BROKEN THINGS

The world does its best to break everyone and everything, but afterwards, most things are stronger in their broken places.

The King of Broken Things is an adventurous and magical excursion into the rehabilitation of broken and discarded objects, hearts included. This bittersweet journey, viewed through the unfiltered mind of a child, wise beyond his years, will rehabilitate every heart.

“Sheer theatrical genius” – Barry Meehan –

“profound and poignant.” – The Natal Witness –

NAF Gold Ovation Award
Woordfees Award Winner
Fleur Du Cap Nominee

The world does its best to break everyone and everything, but afterwards, most things are stronger in their broken places.

The King of Broken Things is an adventurous and magical excursion into the rehabilitation of broken and discarded objects, hearts included. 

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This bittersweet journey, viewed through the unfiltered mind of a child, wise beyond his years, will rehabilitate every heart.

“Sheer theatrical genius” – Barry Meehan –

“profound and poignant.” – The Natal Witness –

NAF Gold Ovation Award
Woordfees Award Winner
Fleur Du Cap Nominee

More Info: https://theatresmiths.wixsite.com/mysite
The King of Broken Things is a journey into the broken heart of a young boy, a journey of discovery through his experiments, projects, and creations. Through the boy’s sense of abandonment and his outlook on the world, the audience are challenged to acknowledge their own ‘brokenness’. Through his love for discarded objects, this ‘King of Broken Things’ teaches us the importance of reparation and how all things, seen and unseen, can be mended, creating new things from old, where the rehabilitation of things broken and discarded gets to include people and hearts. The show touches on ancient Japanese traditions, on mythology and dreams, and reminds us of the magic that we so easily forget is everywhere. The King of Broken Things is a timely reminder to us all to think about the world and the repercussions of our actions, thoughts, and the things we say. And how we mere mortals would do well to dwell more on the magic words – imagine, believe, and dream.

World Press Photo

2024 World Press Photo Contest regional winners showcase stories that matter from around the world

Wednesday 3 April 2024 – World Press Photo today announces the regional winners of the 2024 Contest, showcasing a selection of the world’s best photojournalism and documentary photography. The works invite viewers to step outside the news cycle and look more deeply at both prominent and overlooked stories from across the world.

On 18 April 2024 at 11:00 am CEST (Amsterdam time), the four global winners, selected from the regional winners, will be announced at the press opening of the Flagship World Press Photo Exhibition 2024 at De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and online simultaneously.

Executive Director World Press Photo, Joumana El Zein Khoury said:

Each year, jurors from all over the globe review tens of thousands of photos to find a selection that is visually stunning, tells stories that matter, and represents our shared world. 

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This year’s selection includes stories of desperation, hunger, war, and loss – but also of perseverance, courage, love, family, dreams, and more butterflies than anyone has a right to expect.

There are 24 winning projects and six honorable mentions in total. Additionally, this year, the jury made the exceptional decision to include two special mentions in the selection. The awarded stories will be shown to millions as part of our annual exhibition in over 60 locations around the world. Millions more will see the winning stories online.

The awarded photographs were selected from 61,062 entries by 3,851 photographers from 130 countries. They were judged first by six regional juries, and the winners were then chosen by a global jury consisting of the regional jury chairs plus the global jury chair – Fiona Shields, Head of Photography at The Guardian.

Global jury chair, Fiona Shields, Head of Photography at The Guardian, said:

These final selected works are a tapestry of our world today, centered on images we believe were made with respect and integrity, that can speak universally and resonate far beyond their origins.

This is an opportunity to applaud the work of press and documentary photographers everywhere – made with courage, intelligence, and ingenuity – and to amplify the importance of the stories they are telling, often in unimaginable circumstances.

Some topics included this year

The Israel-Hamas war: The Asia winner in the Singles category shows a Palestinian woman embracing the body of her niece who was killed when an Israeli missile struck their home. It was seen by the jury as an important reminder of the finality of personal loss amidst the statistics of war.

This year, the jury also made the exceptional decision to include two special mentions in the 2024 World Press Photo Contest selection – each showing a single individual (an Israeli and a Palestinian) in the aftermath of a horrific attack.

The climate crisis: The selection shows how photographers are working urgently not only to show the effects of the climate crisis and activism against its causes, but also to document what is being lost. A connection can be made, for example, between young German activists fighting to stop a coal mine from destroying local communities, and a grandfather in Fiji resolutely holding his grandson while chest deep in a rising ocean.

Family: The jury noted in retrospect that many of the stories in their selection revolve around the theme of family. Included are stories of families coping with conditions such as cancer or dementia, the challenges of migration, and trauma due to war, disaster and loss. In each case, the strength of these relationships and the photographers’ care for their subjects are visible in the images.

Notes to editors

On 18 April 2024 at 11:00 am CEST (Amsterdam time), the four global winners – including World Press Photo of the Year – will be announced at the press opening of the Flagship World Press Photo Exhibition 2024 at De Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and online simultaneously.

The World Press Photo Exhibition 2024 is expected to show at over 60 locations worldwide, including Amsterdam, London, Berlin, Rome, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sydney, Toronto, and Tunis.

World Press Photo prohibits the use of AI images in its contest – both generative fill and fully generated images. A multilayered approach to spotting fake or manipulated images is used. We verify the professionality of all entrants, and the facts behind each story. The images are judged by industry professionals, and the original files are examined by two independent digital analysts. (More information)

In total, there are 33 awarded photographers this year, for 32 projects (including the two special mentions). This includes a winning team entry in the Africa region with two photographers, Felipe Dana and Renata Brito, sharing the prize.

Details about the contest and judging process are available on our website, including information about: Prizes, categories, jury, and judging process.

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact United Kingdom and European Union and Middle East:

Nicola Jeffs <nj@nicolajeffs.com>

+447794694754

Rest of World:

Alexandra Fanning <alex@alexandrafanning.com>

Please also copy to ensure a swift response: communications@worldpressphoto.org

About the World Press Photo Foundation

Our mission: Connecting the world to the stories that matter.

Founded in 1955, World Press Photo is an independent, nonprofit organization based in the Netherlands. Since then our annual contest has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious photo competitions, rewarding the best in photojournalism and documentary photography from around the world. We will celebrate our 70th anniversary next year.

Our annual and thematic exhibitions reach millions of people in over 80 locations around the world each year, and our online work reaches millions more. Through a range of educational programs we create opportunities for learning, dialogue, and exchange among photography professionals and the general public.

We appreciate the support of our strategic partners, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, PwC, and FUJIFILM Corporation.

The Unlikely Secret Agent

Witness History Unfold: "The Unlikely Secret Agent" Opens at The Market Theatre - A Gripping Story of Bravery and Hope in the Face of Apartheid

Johannesburg, South Africa – April 2024 – The Market Theatre proudly presents the highly anticipated production of THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT, an award-winning play based on the extraordinary true story of Eleanor Kasrils and her courageous fight against apartheid in South Africa. Prepare to be transported into the heart of the struggle with this critically acclaimed play, running from 16 May to 2 June 2024.

Based on Ronnie Kasrils’ Alan Paton Award-winning book, the production illuminates the remarkable journey of Eleanor Kasrils. Set in 1963 Durban amidst apartheid’s turmoil, Eleanor, an unassuming bookstore worker and single mother, becomes a clandestine operative for the ANC. When her lover, Ronnie Kasrils, a wanted “terrorist,” is pursued by authorities, Eleanor confronts the brutality of the Special Branch. Arrested, interrogated, and targeted by the Security Police, Eleanor must summon all her strength to protect her comrades and plan her escape.

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Directed by the acclaimed Paul du Toit, THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s resilience. The play not only sheds light on apartheid’s horrors and police brutality but also celebrates the unwavering spirit of those who fought for freedom.

A captivating cast of five actors brings this important story to life. Erika Breytenbach-Marais delivers a powerful performance as Eleanor Kasrils, while the ensemble cast masterfully portrays a multitude of characters, showcasing the era’s complexities. The talented supporting cast, including De Klerk Oelofse, Wessel Pretorius, Sanda Shandu, and Ntlanhla Kutu, adds depth and nuance to the production.

THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT has garnered critical acclaim, winning prestigious awards such as the 2022 Fleur Du Cap Award for Best Director for Paul du Toit and the 2023 Fleur Du Cap Award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Play for Carlo Daniels. It was also nominated for several other Fleur Du Cap Awards and won Best Production and Best Director at the 2022 US Toyota Woordfees.

Playwright and director Paul du Toit emphasizes Eleanor Kasrils’ remarkable humanity, stating, “Her bravery was quiet, her suffering without self-pity. In the face of senseless violence, she was gentle and witty.” The play not only commemorates South Africa’s struggle for democracy but also sheds light on gender-based violence and police brutality.

“I am thrilled that the dramatic story of a young woman’s courageous battle with the South African security police in the 1960’s, is coming to the stage… You will question yourself – could you have stood up against apartheid as this slender young woman did?” – Ronnie Kasrils

Don’t Miss This Powerful Production – THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT promises a captivating and thought-provoking theatrical experience.

Performance Details

Venue: The Market Theatre, Johannesburg

Dates: 16 May to 2 June 2024

Running Time: 90 minutes with a 15-minute interval

Age Restriction: PG14 (contains strong language, racial prejudice, and gender-based violence)

For bookings and inquiries:

For media inquiries, interview requests or press passes contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call (011)788 7632. High-resolution images and interviews with the cast and crew are available upon request.

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of The Market Theatre Foundation – https://markettheatre.co.za/

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Skhumba’s Weekend Comedy Special at The Market Theatre

Skhumba's Weekend Comedy Special at The Market Theatre

SKHUMBA’S WEEKEND COMEDY SPECIAL, is back by popular demand.
With the One Man Special behind him, Skhumba Hlophe is bringing the extremely successful COMEDY ENSEMBLE that will be showcased at The John Kani Theatre, Market Theatre. This tour was previously held in 2021 and received massive response. The shows that will be on display will feature himself and a crazy line up of his Comedian friends on the 12th & 13th of April 2024. This Weekend Comedy Special will be nothing short of SPECTACULAR and CRAZY FUNNY!!!

Interval: 30 minutes

No under 18’s

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