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The Boat

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THE BOAT is a new collaborative piece led by choreographer and dancer Themba Mbuli. It is inspired by the African migrants who have crossed – and are still crossing – the seas from Africa to Europe in search of ‘a better life’.

Guided by true African stories, the work remembers the human cost and what has been lost – the heritage, culture, humanity and wealth of African people – while celebrating the light that still remains in Africa. By focusing on the sense of belonging – in our own skin, in our own land and in our own communities – it brings up issues of mental and spiritual indoctrination, colonialism, borders, power and domination as well as sociopolitical interaction and culture. Written by Billy Langa (Tswalo), the stories are embodied through dance, with live music by Xolisile Bongwana.

Themba Mbuli was the Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance in 2016. Mbuli is an associate project manager and a co-founder of Broken Borders Arts Project, together with Fana Tshabalala and Thulani Chauke.

Director: Themba Mbuli and Billy Langa
Written By: Billy Langa
Choreographer: Fana Tshabalala and Thulani Chauke
Music Composed By: Xolisile Bongwana
Featured Artists: Themba Mbuli, Fana Tshabalala, Thulani Chauke, Billy Langa and Xolisile Bongwana
Company: Broken Borders Arts Project

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The Bubble Show with Maxwell The Bubbleologist

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Maxwell the Bubbleologist will blow bubbles and your mind with breathtaking beautiful bubble displays from bubbles inside bubbles to bubble cubes and dodecaheadrons and bubbles on fire to humans inside bubbles. The Bubble Show will show you what you never thought possi-bubble.

Director: Graham Maxwell
Choreographer: Graham Maxwell
Featured Artists: Graham Maxwell
Company: The Bubble Empire

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The Mother of all Eating

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The Mother of All Eating is a satirical play that explores the debilitating culture of corruption and greed known as ‘eating’. This culture has become synonymous with corrupt state officials who enrich themselves by abusing government funds. This timeless classic, written by acclaimed playwright and author Zakes Mda, centres on a character called The Man, the principal secretary to a government minister. The Man is corrupt to the core, and has enriched himself as he’s moved through the ranks of government.

Set in Lesotho in the 1980s, the play exposes the catastrophic effects of greed and the tragic effects that accompany unchecked corruption.

Director: Christopher Weare
Written By: Zakes Mda
Company: CYBTT (Changing your Business through Theatre)

Cast: Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Luntu Masiza

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Too Many Zooz

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Mandla Mlangeni

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Ziyarat

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Thania Petersen’s outdoor installation, Ziyarat, is part of the exhibition Between land and a
raised foot curated by Ruth Simbao. Ziyarat was created in collaboration with Thania’s
father, Bienjamin Petersen. The installation was created with the support of RAW
(Residencies for Artists and Writers) as part of the Arts of Africa and Global Souths research
programme at Rhodes University.

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Facing South

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Renowned Cape Town acoustic duo, Facing South – guitarist David Ledbetter and vocalist Amanda Tiffin – teams up with visiting Brazilian maestro pianist/accordionist Guilherme Ribeiro and internationally acclaimed Dutch bassist Hein van de Geyn to present cross-cultural, acoustic magic.

The quartet performs a selection of original material with a cross-cultural flavour, with compositions and collaborations from all members of the ensemble. The music is featured on their upcoming album release, recorded in Cape Town.

Voice: Amanda Tiffin
Accordion: Guilherme Ribeiro (BR)
Guitar: David Ledbetter
Bass: Hein van de Geyn

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Celebrating African Song

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Throughout Southern Africa, traditional music faces the risk of fading into obscurity as it comes up against commercial and hip modern sounds. Over time, ethnic music has been subject to the overpowering influences of modernity, with original isiXhosa music threatened by the rise of colonialism and Western churches in the rural Eastern Cape.

Celebrating African Song will take audience members on a journey through the majestic views of the Eastern Cape, whose songs and melodies are echoed through the valleys and mountains.

The raw isiXhosa indigenous songs will be sung by Dumza Maswana, his baritone voice accompanied by the rich jazz tones of a 10-piece band. Expect innovative harmonies, engaging lyrics and nostalgic expression that crosses to the spiritual realm. Included will be the works of Mam’ uMadosini and uMam uNofinishi Dywili, whose sounds are a celebration of indigenous isiXhosa music.

Featured Artists: Lead vocalist: Dumza Maswana, Piano: Yonela Mnana, Double Bass: Thembinkosi Mavimbela, Acoustic Guitar and Flute: Bongani Tulwana, Drums: Lungile Kunene
Company: Soul Yard Records

Producer: Dumza Maswana
Music Directors: Dumza Maswana, Yonela Mnana

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Unfathomable

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An image-based work that wades through the waters of unprocessed grief, it seeks out the presences of those gone and those still alive. Tracing the histories of her father and grandmother in a poetic play between materials, body and words, Alex Halligey takes audiences on a swim through lives that couldn’t be contained and those that stayed small for fear of the size of their spirit.

Director: Athena Mazarakis
Written By: Design by Jennie-Lee Crewe
Choreographer: Created at the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative’s, , Edhudlweni Arts Centre
Featured Artists: Alex Halligey
Company: Unfathomable

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All Who Pass

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1974: Eviction. An inner-city Cape Town neighbourhood is being forcibly cleared by the apartheid regime. A family spend their last night together in their District Six home.

2019: Restitution. A daughter returns to claim her inheritance and exorcise the ghosts of what took place there. A journey that will bring her back to a landscape of memories, past and present.

Amy Jeptha, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, explores displacement in her new play, All Who Pass. The work time-travels between a 1974 eviction and a 2019 restitution. This play was first developed during the Royal Court Theatre International Playwriting Residency with support from the British Council.

Written By: Amy Jephta
Music Composed By: Benjamin Jephta
Company: PaperJet

Directed by: Quanita Adams
Lighting Design: Jon Keevy
Costumes realised by: Leigh Bishop
With: Elton Landrew, Carmen Maarman, Jawaahier Petersen, Roberto Meyer and Iman Isaacs