20 - 26 FEB BUZZA weekly supplement of the Market Theatre Foundation

1 The Meeting final week! buy your tickets now.

Venue Catch the last week of The Meeting From start to finish it is a directed by James Ngcobo – compelling story as these two starring Aubrey Poo, Brendon men who described as part of DateS Daniels and Litha Bam. the continuum of struggle show 2 - 26 February 2017 their cards and slowly unleash and TIME Ngcobo has put much thought display their power for each other. Tue - Sat 20:15 into the play as he sets it in the Sun 15:15 connect of this country as well Diane de Beer, as past and present times. He The Huffington Post mentions similarities like Mandela and Robert Sobukwe for example, so there’s an idea for someone to expand on. It’s also not a far cry from those times to Black Lives Matter and the resonance for black South Africans will be overwhelming. Yet everyone will be gripped by these visionary voices and what they were battling.

Casting cleverly with Aubrey Poo as Martin and Capetonian Brendon Daniels (who has a remarkable resemblance to Malcolm) playing the two giants, these young bulls of theatre get down and dirty, playing together for the first time, and tell this particular story with both grace and grit. Young Litha Bam slips into this political staging smoothly to complete this storytelling cycle.

2 3 The SUIT Venue Sophiatown, a lively and Venue During January, the Market Theatre John Kani memorable musical will be revived Mannie Manim staged The House of Truth an DateS with a new, young cast under DateS autobiographical play about the life 31 March - 14 May 2017 the experienced eye of director 05 May - 04 June 2017 of . This year marks Malcolm Purkey to delight today’s 50 years since Themba’s passing. TIME audiences with its timeless music. TIME Now, fans of the author and Tue - Sat 20:00 Tue - Sat 20:15 playwright can look forward to the Sun 15:00 “The young cast never knew Sun 15:15 staging of his most famous work, Sophiatown, but they capture both The Suit, as the Market Theatre the laughter or community and the continues to celebrate his life and desolation of the displaced. The talent during the Market Theatre’s play raises questions that are still Can Themba Season. unanswered what kind of South Africa do we want to see, can we The Suit is directed by the Market integrate our various communities Theatre’s artistic director James and find common ground.” Ngcobo, who says the job is a Jenny de Klerk – The Saturday Star dream but one that also poses sleepless nights. The award- Ticket prices from R130 – R215 winning director says this piece of (pensioners and students R70.00 theatre has been staged repeatedly only) because of its timeless message. There is even a movie of the play starring the Kani dynasty John and . Bringing a new touch to the show will prove challenging, but challenges are what Ngcobo adores.

4 5 THE INCONVENIENCE bring a book to the theatre The “Bring-a-Book-to-the- book to the resources centre at students at the Market Theatre OF WINGS Theatre” campaign was the Market Theatre Laboratory. Laboratory, actors working at the launched when two Market Since then several more Market Theatre and by visiting Venue Acclaimed writer and director Theatre supporters Fiona people have been contributing students who are looking for Mannie Manim Lara Foot’s latest play, The Wallace and Mandie van der playscripts and books about information about South African DateS Inconvenience of Wings, brings Spuy cleared their personal theatre to the resources centre. theatre. bipolar disorder and friendships 14 June - 16 July 2017 bookshelves and donated their The resources centre is used by into the spotlight, at the Market TIME Theatre this June. Tue - Sat 20:15 Sun 15:15 Lara Foot, the National Arts Festival’s 2016 Featured Artist and 1996 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, assembled a stellar cast and creative team for her latest play, The Inconvenience of Wings.

The production - starring Jennifer Steyn, Andrew Buckland and Mncedisi Shabangu - tackles the issues of friendship, dysfunction, addiction and angels. Sara (Steyn) has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder; she is compulsive, alive and hates women who know how to make cupcakes. Paul (Buckland), her husband, is on a mission to find a cure for her afflictions and Professor James (Shabangu) quietly try to save Paul from the inconvenience of his wings .

6 7 Venue: Market Photo Workshop The Market Photo Workshop in continue activism through 138 Lilian Ngoyi Street, (entrance partnership with the family and photography in the spirit of Gisèle on Margaret Mcingana Street) friends of the late Gisèle Wulfsohn Wulfsohn. Newtown are pleased to announce the Date: 09 Feb - 19 Mar 2017 exhibition launch of Plastic Crowns, Ayana V. Jackson, a renowned a project by Phumzile Khanyile. American photographer and A solo exhibition by 2015 Gisèle Phumzile is the recipient of the filmmaker mentored Phumzile in Wulfsohn Mentorship Recipient 2015 Gisèle Wulfsohn Mentorship producing this body of work. Phumzile Khanyile. in Photography. The mentorship is set out as a developmental platform and opportunity to

8 9 LAST week in pictures The US Embassy Event on Tuesday 16 February 2017 On Tuesday 15 February 2017, the US Embassy celebrated a partnership with The Market Theatre for the production of The Meeting, a play that will run until February 26 2017.

The event was also in celebration of #BlackHistoryMonth2017. The US Chargé d’Affaires Jessye Lapenn hailed the partnership with the Market Theatre as an important one and an important avenue to communicate with young people.

Chairman of the Market Theatre Kwanele Gumbi presented Jessye Lapenn three plaques that display the numerous projects the US Embassy and the Market Theatre have collaborated on over the last three years.

#BlackHistoryMonth2017 #TheMeetingSA

10 11 The Lion King Asian Tour 2017 PUMBAA: To play male in his late 20’s – mid Auditions on 24 and 25 February 40’s. Timon’s sidekick. Not so bright but loveable warthog. Should also have strong comedic skills. Somewhat larger frame or Venue: rich unique South African style SHENZI (Female), BANZAI body type is preferred. Character singer. A Sarafina Rehearsal Room belt voice. (Male) AND ED (Male): To play gravelly distinctive voice is good. Time: in their late 20’s – early 40’s. 9:00 – 17:00 To play male in Funny, maniacal hyenas. Street ADULT SIMBA: ZAZU: To play male in his early 30’s – mid ***registration closes at 11:00 his late teens – early 30’s. Male smart and urban. Must have 40’s. A parrot-like bird (or a hornbill). A actor/singer to play the African strong rock and roll singing proper and somewhat befuddled, English DATE: lion, Simba. This actor must voices. Actors must move well butler with a cynical outlook on life but FRIDAY, 24 FEB 2017 have sex appeal, charm and an and be comfortable operating completely dedicated to the king, Actor urban sensibility as well as a puppets. Ed will also cover must possess strong comedic skills. AUDITIONS FOR THE strong pop/rock singing voice. Timon and Zazu. Character singer. This actor must be FOLLOWING CHARACTERS: Should be a high baritone and comfortable operating a puppet. able to sing to an “A”. Must be DATE: in excellent physical condition MUFASA: To play a strong, SATURDAY, 25 FEB 2017 SCAR: To play a male lion in his mid 30’s masculine male lion in his mid and dance and/or move very – mid 40’s. Mufasa’s brother and Simba’s 30’s – mid 40’s. The King of well. Should be 5’8” – 6’2”. AUDITIONS FOR THE uncle. Evil and maniacal but still capable of the African Pride-lands. Regal, FOLLOWING CAUCASIAN humor and high style. Scar will do anything omnipotent and powerful. Must ADULT NALA: To play female in CHARACTERS to be the King of the Pridelands. This role have a physical strength and her late teens – late 20’s. Female requires an exceptional actor (Classical have an excellent, rich baritone actor/singer to play Nala, a very TIMON: To play male in his training is helpful) who is also a character voice. attractive African lion with sex late 20’s – mid 40’s. A meerkat. singer. appeal and charm. Should have Wise cracking, New York urban RAFIKI: To play female in her excellent pop belt to an “E.” comic character actor. Stand-up late 20’s – mid 40’s. A soulful, Must be in excellent physical comedy experience is a plus. No but comedic, African female shape and have great strength taller than 5’8”. Character singer. baboon. Sings “The Circle of and presence. Must dance/and Actor must move well and be Life”. Must possess an excellent, or move well. comfortable operating a puppet.

12 13 Performance at Dance Umbrella: LABORATORY dance classes INCOKO

Title: Argentinian Tango Incoko dancer and teacher, Venue: Wits Theatre Andrea Uchitel Date: 26 February Last week, we hosted Time: Argentinian Tango dancer The Fringe Programme begins and teacher, Andrea Uchitel. at 10:00. Students from the Market Lab and Moving Into Dance The Lab’s second year students came together to explore this will be presenting a short work intimate, powerful form of at on the Fringe Programme dance. of Dance Umbrella on 26 February. Choreographed by Teresa Mojela, the piece, titled Incoko, a collection of works by the Dance Infinity Project and the Market Theatre Laboratory students: a provocative and powerful exploration of gender and power, using rhythm and dance to show women’s fight for equality.

14 15 bookmarks A tragi-comedy about friendship, racism, and LABORATORY decolonization (as well as reading ...) on the wrong side of the rainbow They are all on the edge. Each has weaknesses. Don’t forget to join There are no innocents. us for evening dance classes on Tuesdays Venue: three men lived and worked and Wednesdays at Ramolao Makhene together. Over time they have 17:30! DateS: gone their separate ways and Tuesday the 28 February much has changed but on a TIME: summer’s evening in Melville 14:00 they come together to launch a book club. In this they are children’s dance classes These people are Vish Naidoo joined by the daughter of a (Luversan Gerard), a divorced, former woman comrade, whose Indian businessman/deal-maker; life experience is essentially 3 - 12 years: For more information, or to Stanton de Villiers (Craig Morris), only that of the post- 9:00 – 11:00 register, contact Teresa Mojela: a white, gay man of Afrikaner period but who is very aware of Registration fee: 062 022 1384/teresaphuti@ ancestry who is a consultant the recent and historical past. R150 yahoo.com to the new government and She brings something from that Monthly Fee: is the host for the evening; past with her and as the evening R360 Mncedisi Julius Matanzima progresses different revelations The Market Square (Pule Hlatswayo), a black reveal the fault lines in all their 13 - 18 years: 138 Lilian Ngoyi Street consciousness activist involved relationships. in youth development; and 11:00 – 13:00 (previously Bree Street) Between Miriam Makeba and Cornelia Hendricks (Campbell Come and spend the evening Registration fee: Margaret Mcingana streets. Meas), a young Coloured with them... join in the R150 Newtown primary school teacher and discussion! Monthly Fee: Johannesburg feminist. For more details contact R300 Twenty years have passed since 082 512 8188 or email: the 1980’s Struggle when the [email protected]

16 17 The South African International Film festival

Now in its second year, Market Theatre in Newtown, RapidLion also known as The Johannesburg. South African International Film Festival celebrates the The festival features films of magnitude of BRICS and African multiple genres and varying filmmaking with a special lengths, Q&A sessions, and emphasis on South African niche sections. These include cinema. The film festival aims to Kindercinema aimed at the be one of the most-loved and youngest filmgoers and their important cultural events on the parents; The Heritage platform, Johannesburg calendar. which features South African films of yesteryear; and Homage, From 5 March to 12 March comprising the work of the RapidLion 2017 will bring 140 recipient of The Lionel Ngakane films from 40 countries to The Lifetime Achievement Award.

18 18 19 market tour

The First Official Market Theatre Foundation Tour took place on Wednesday 15 February 2017. In attendance were journalists, bloggers as well as Market Square patrons. Attendees loved the experience and tipped the new heart of Newtown the tour guide for a job well-done. The next two tours are sold out, don’t miss out. A guided tour will take arts anniversary coffee table book, The ninety minute tour of the To book a tour visit www.webtickets.co.za or dial enthusiasts and drama students 40 Years of Storytelling, will be Market Theatre will take place 011 834 1641. through the historical Market narrated by tour guide, every Wednesday starting at 11:00. Theatre complex as well introduce A maximum of 20 people will be them to the modern new building Busi Letwaba, an alumnus of the accommodated in each tour. at Market Square. Interesting facts Market Theatre Laboratory and and fascinating anecdotes drawn now employed as the front desk Interested persons are advised to from the Market Theatre’s 40th receptionist at Market Square. book online on webtickets.co.za.

20 21 vanessa cooke goes digital at the Market Theatre Lab Market theatre Wednesday The relocation of the Market “We want our alumni and the matinees to set newtown alight Theatre Laboratory to its teachers that they work with impressive new facilities at the at the inner-city schools to take Market Square will offer students fuller advantage of arts education Innovation is crucial to the Sophiatown, a heart-warming www.webtickets.com or by calling increased opportunities to engage through the digital space”, said continuing success of any musical that will evoke nostalgic the Theatre’s box office on with digital communications. From Ismail Mahomed, the CEO of the institution! This is the driving force memories about a time and place 011 832 1641 ext 108. its former space at the Bus Factory Market Theatre Foundation. “We behind a series of new initiatives at of almost mythical proportions. with only three computers in a are engaging with partners who the Market Theatre. The play is rich with the original The box office is open from 09h00 small office, students will now have share our vision and who are sounds of the place once dubbed – 20h00. Patrons can also book access to the fully-fledged Vanessa determined to help us grow the “We want to offer our patrons a the Chicago of South Africa. tickets for any Market Theatre Cooke Computer Room that will opportunities that we can create unique opportunity to experience Sophiatown tells a story of a Jewish production at any Pick ’n Pay help them to dive into research for for our students and our alumni,” the colourful and vibrant landscape girl who moves into the tiny home outlet. their theatre projects. he concluded. of Newtown along with enjoying of a shebeen queen in this vibrant a show in our theatre,” said Zama suburb. The eight characters bring At least 24 alumni from the Market Sweetness Buthelezi, the Market their dreams and hopes alive Theatre Laboratory teach the Theatre Foundation’s Brand and through song and comedy. dramatic arts at inner-city schools Communications Manager. in Johannesburg. The Market Bookings for the matinees shows Theatre Foundation will also be The regular matinee performances can also be made via the online establishing a similar resource will kick in with the return of booking system at centre at the Windybrow Arts Centre so that alumni who are teaching at inner-city schools can have easy access to digital platforms for communications and research.

22 23 Creative Call backs at the Market Theatre. Mornings What is the artistic director cooking?

Venue founder of the online style “Fantasy is a necessary ingredient The Mannie Manim company, Nicharry.com. in living,” said Dr. Seuss. “It’s a Date way of looking at life through the Friday, 24 February 2017 Nic was the CEO and co-founder of wrong end of a telescope.” Motribe, the mobile community TIME platform, before the company was Don’t miss the next creative 08h30 successfully acquired by Mxit in Topic October, 2012. He also founded mornings with performance Moments ForeFront Africa consulting firm artist and 2013 Standard Bank before exiting to Imperial Holdings. Young Artist Anthea Moys talking ABOUT THE SPEAKER His career proudly includes 10 failed fantasy. Nicholas Haralambous is the startups in the past 12 years.

24 25 centenary of the sinking of The SS Mendi

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For more information about the Market Theatre Foundation, please visit www.markettheatre.co.za

Telephone : 011 832 1641 56 Margaret Mcingana Str, Newtown Johannesburg Tuesday 21 February marks the centenary of the sinking of The SS Mendi. On the morning of 21 February 1917, another ship, the SS Darro (10 0000 tons) travelling at full speed and emitting no warning signals, rammed the SS Mendi (4 230 tons), which sank in 20 minutes. No steps were taken by the SS Darro to lower boats or rescue the survivors. She stood off and floated nearby while lifeboats from the SS Mendi’s escorting destroyer, HMS Brisk, rowed among the survivors, trying to rescue them.

There are many stories about the bravery of the men as the ship went down. One of them is that of the Reverend Isaac Wauchope Dyobha, who cried words of encouragement to the dying men.

The story of the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC), particularly the sinking of the Mendi troopship, is one of the most fascinating stories ever related in South Africa’s military history.

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