July 7, 2004
By Tammy O'Reilly
YEAR after year, Johannesburgers make the trek to Grahamstown for the acclaimed National Arts Festival. But this year the tables have turned.
Once the Grahamstown festival has wrapped up, six of the best works will pack up and travel the 969 kilometres to the Wits Theatre.
The mini arts festival has been branded the 969 Festival - the distance between Grahamstown and Johannesburg.
The City of Johannesburg - in partnership with Wits University and the Grahamstown festival's organisers - has put together a mini festival featuring the six performances. The shows will run from 14 to 24 July at the Wits Theatre, the Nunnery and Downstairs at the Wits Theatre.
"Live events are important in the life of the city and are an important aspect of nurturing the artistic talent that's here. The City is providing a service and is bringing these events right to our doorstep," says Steven Sack, the City's director of arts, culture and heritage.
And David van Niekerk, the project manager for the City's economic development unit, says: "We are creating an opportunity for artists and audiences alike. We want to establish an incubator for performers in the performing arts and at the same time to provide audiences with an opportunity to witness theatre and dance at its best."
'Staircase one way up' features three 30-minute works by the formidably talented Portia Lebohang Mashigo - the dancer, teacher and choreographer who won the 2004 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for dance.
In 2001, South Africa was devastated by the news of a brutal rape of a nine-month-old child who became known as Baby Tshepang. In response, Lara Foot Newton began work on 'Tshepang' in 2002. The content is motivated by factual evidence, but the story is purely fictional. 'Tshepang' tells the story of forgiveness, love and the coming to terms with devastation of this magnitude.
'Repercussions of a Red Nose' deals with a similar matter. It was conceived by Genevieve Bobrow and explores one woman's experience of sexual violation.
In 'King of Laughter', the main character, Barry, works as a sound engineer, laying down laugh tracks for popular sitcoms. It has taken him many years to build up his impressive database. Barry is being forced into early retirement but, before he goes, he must train Jerome - his young black replacement.
The two develop a warm camaraderie; with Barry's help, Jerome realises that humour has the power to convert him into a babe magnet.
'King of Laughter', which is written and directed by Craig Freimond, features James Borthwick and Wayne van Rooyen.
'April Fool's Child' is a poignant look at the life of a hijacker sentenced to eight years in prison. The story of the hijacking and the time awaiting trial are told concurrently, against a jazz soundtrack.
James Cunningham, Helen Iskander and Sylvia Strike bring to life 'Black and Blue' - a look at South Africa during and after apartheid, forbidden love and the world of the lonely.
The festival is planned for this year only; a post-mortem will decide if an annual event is feasible.
The shows, all of which start at 7pm, will be on three times each. Tickets, which cost R30, are available at the door or through Computicket.
Wits staff, students and pensioners get a R10 discount.
For more information please contact the Wits Theatre on 011 717 1376 or email pisantic@theatre.wits.ac.za
Performance schedule
MAIN THEATRE
Wed 14 July, 19h00: Preview - Staircase one way up!
Thurs 15 July, 19h00: Gala evening - Staircase one way up! All media invited.
Fri 16 July, 19h00: Staircase one way up!
Sat 17 July, 19h00: Staircase one way up!
DOWNSTAIRS
Fri 16 July, 19h00: King of Laughter
Sat 17 July, 19h00: King of Laughter
Mon 19 July, 19h00: King of Laughter
Tues 20 July, 19h00: King of Laughter
Thurs 22 July, 19h00: April Fool's Child
Fri 23 July, 19h00: April Fool's Child
Sat 24 July, 19h00: April Fool's Child
AMPHITHEATRE
Sat 17 July, 19h00: Tshepang
Mon 19 July, 19h00: Tshepang
Tues 20 July, 19h00: Tshepang
Thurs 22 July, 19h00: Black & Blue
Fri 23 July, 19h00: Black & Blue
Sat 24 July, 19h00: Black & Blue
NUNNERY
Wed 14 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Thurs 15 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Fri 16 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Sat 17 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Tues 20 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Wed 21 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Thurs 22 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Fri 23 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
Sat 24 July, 19h00: Repercussions of the Red Nose
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