13 - 19 FEB BUZZA weekly supplement of the Market Theatre Foundation 1 THE MEETING TWO WEEKS LEFT BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW. Ngcobo, Artistic Director, but most The Market Theatre has been a of all to the fine actors whose key partner in our Black History VENUE Observing Black History Month voices will provoke hours of debate Month programming each year. Barney Simon with a meeting of political with their remarkable presentation This special month allows us to DATES minds from the U.S. Civil Rights of Mr. Stetson’s work. pause and explore the complexity 2 - 26 February 2017 Movement of race relations in America, but TIME The Meeting is the latest in a long also offers South Africans the Statement from Jessica Lapenn collaboration between the U.S. opportunity to reflect on the Tue - Sat 20:15 Chargé d’Affaires Sun 15:15 Mission and the Market Theatre, similarities and differences in our U.S. Mission to South Africa and reflects the Mission’s belief two journeys. While The Meeting that the arts allow a uniquely is set during the United States’ “The U.S. Mission to South Africa open dialogue between our “Civil Rights Era,” it demands is delighted to partner again with two countries that cannot be discussions of its audiences that the Market Theatre to present replicated. Last September, we still resonate today: how do we The Meeting, the award-winning were honored to receive the best build a world where we are no play by American playwright Jeff Business and Arts South Africa longer judged by the color of our Stetson. Imagining a conversation Award for Diplomacy in the Arts – skin? between the Reverend Martin in no small part thanks to our rich Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, the and multifaceted partnership with I hope you enjoy tonight’s play remains as relevant today as the Market Theatre. In addition performance of The Meeting, in the tumultuous times it depicts, to a storied history of stage look forward to the conversations as societies around the world performances, the U.S. Mission ahead, and hope to see you again wrestle with their pasts, how those has sponsored young actors to at the Market Theatre soon!” pasts affect the present, and how participate in the Market Theatre together we can build a better Laboratory’s Drama School, and future for all. It is a creative and brought American actors and compelling piece to headline Black playwrights to South Africa to History Month, celebrated every enrich our cultural ties. It is an February in America. I offer my absolute thrill that the Mission’s special thanks to Kwanele Gumbi, efforts to creatively strengthen ties Chair of the Market Theatre between the U.S. and South Africa Foundation, Ismail Mahomed, were recognized by BASA! CEO of the Market Theatre, James The Meeting - Behind the scenes. 2 3 SOPHIATOWN 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 Can Themba. 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 Atandwa Kani. Bringing a new touch to the show will prove challenging, but challenges are what Ngcobo adores. 4 5 THE INCONVENIENCE MARKET SQUARE OF WINGS THE NEW HEART OF NEWTOWN VENUE Acclaimed writer and director Mannie Manim Lara Foot’s latest play, The A guided tour will take arts Busi Letwaba, an alumnus of the Interested persons are advised to enthusiasts and drama students Market Theatre Laboratory and book online on webtickets.co.za. DATES Inconvenience of Wings, brings through the historical Market now employed as the front desk 14 June - 16 July 2017 bipolar disorder and friendships into the spotlight, at the Market Theatre complex as well introduce receptionist at Market Square. FIRST LAUNCH TOUR TIME Theatre this June. them to the modern new building Tue - Sat 20:00 at Market Square. Interesting facts The ninety minute tour of the DATE: Wednesday 15 February Sun 15:00 Lara Foot, the National Arts and fascinating anecdotes drawn Market Theatre will take place If you would like to be part of this Festival’s 2016 Featured Artist and from the Market Theatre’s 40th every Wednesday starting at 11:00. exclusive VIP Tour ( limited space) 1996 Standard Bank Young Artist anniversary coffee table book, A maximum of 20 people will be book your space with Lusanda for Theatre, assembled a stellar 40 Years of Storytelling, will be accommodated in each tour. Zokufa. cast and creative team for the narrated by tour guide, [email protected] world premiere of 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 BRING A BOOK TO THE THEATRE LABORATORY The “Bring-a-Book-to-the- book to the resources centre at students at the Market Theatre DANCE 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 Theatre supporters Fiona people have been contributing students who are looking for Wallace and Mandie van der playscripts and books about information about South African CLASSES Spuy cleared their personal theatre to the resources centre. theatre. bookshelves and donated their The resources centre is used by The Market Theatre Lab is now offering adult dance classes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 17:30 – 18:30 in our new studios at Market Square. 8 9 THE WORD N SOUND POETRY LEAGUE RETURNS The Word N Sound Poetry League returns: The first show will be at the John Kani Theatre at the Market Theatre. The #PoetryLeague — Now in its 7th season the Word N Sound Poetry League returns to provide a unique showcase of poems and talented artists. This will be no different. The action packed first episode bodes well for a fantastic year for poetry and collaboration. It marries Jozi’s most anticipated slam the Word N Sound #PoetryLeague with the #WNSAwards Now if you are still wondering why the #PoetryLeague is still all the rage after all these words, you can find out here: https:// wordnsoundlivelit.wordpress. com/2017/01/12/poetryleague- whats-all-the-hype-about- anyway/ #MarketTheatreLab #Wordandsound | R50 @ Door 10 11 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 12 13 THIS WEEK IN PICTURES OPENING NIGHT OF THE MEETING JEFF StETSON’S TOUR TO JOHANNESBURG The Meeting Writer/ Author Jeff Stetson and John Kani attended the opening night on the 07 February 2017. 14 15 THIS WEEK IN PICTURES VIOLATED LIVES WRITERS WORKSHOP OPENING OF EXHIBITION Jeff Stetson held a writers aspiring writers. Some of the Gives a voice to African Iris Dawn Park partnered with workshop to share knowledge people in attendance were American men in the United the Market Theatre for Black and ideas with South Africans Sello Maake KaNcube, Napo Stated States of America who history month. writers. The Master Class Mashiane, Vice Motshabi and are vulnerable to being killed. was attended by established Omphile Moalusi. playwrights, students and 16 17 THIS WEEK IN PICTURES THE MARKET THEATRE CEO PLAYS FOR CHARITY OPENING OF PlastiC CROWNS EXHIBITION CEOs recently discovered that Cock gave them some private of jokes to hide the jitters. The Plastic Crowns exhibition stems from the idea of taking themselves to be royalty for a harmony and hitting high notes lessons in keeping the beat.