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