December 15, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
TAPPING HEARTS, a hard-hitting play now showing at the Barney Simon Theatre, sends out a strong warning to male chauvinists that women are firmly asserting themselves as independent individuals who can hold their own in South Africa.
Presented by Abangani Theatre, the play is performed by six women who do not mince their words in their quest to drum in the message that one day, the country will be ruled by women. They believe that the power of women is becoming more and more prevalent in South African society.
The production tackles some controversial issues, like the idea that women can survive without getting married and the fact that some married women earn more money than their spouses, and become the heads of families as a result.
Written and directed by Jullian Seleke-Mokoto, the play features Molobane Mbatha, Priscilla Phangoa, Sibongile Nkosi, Lindiwe Ndlovu, Ncebekazi Thintsila and Carol Behane. According to the Market Theatre, the mesmerising tap dancing is "a form of dance that is described as an action or discourse intended to rationalise or distract". It is choreographed by Samson Mabuza.
The women call themselves the "amaTripleS" - single, successful and self-sufficient - and communicate their emotions of anger, happiness and excitement through song and tap dancing. Seleke-Moloto says his observations and understanding of women's issues inspired him to write the play.
"Despite being the opposite sex, I believe that there are many stories to be told by women. It's not all anti-male though – it's about survival of the individual."
Seleke-Moloto, a well-known playwright, has won two FNB Vita Awards for his production Shattered Dreams, and his productions have been staged at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the Johannesburg Civic Theatre and the Soweto Arts Festival, among others.
He is presently working on a new script, She Died Dreaming.
Tapping Hearts is on at the Barney Simon Theatre at the Market Theatre complex for a limited season until 24 December. For more information, contact the theatre on 011 832 1641.
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