July 9, 2007
By George Matlala
A TALE of love in the midst of conflict, political turmoil and gang warfare is to be staged at the Windybrow Theatre, in Hillbrow.
Written and directed by Jerry Pooe, the theatre's newly appointed artistic director, Peace in Our Lifetime is an intriguing story of young love in a township torn apart by political divisions and gangster violence. The musical runs from Thursday, 12 July to Sunday, 22 July.
Initially called Peace in the Valley, it has been reworked to focus on issues such as HIV/Aids and peace in Africa, Pooe explains. "Until we find peace in Africa, there will be an obstacle when it comes to addressing issues such as unemployment."
Inspired by Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the story is set on the dusty streets of Durban's KwaMashu township in the 1980s. It is a township reeling from the violence sparked by political conflict between supporters of the ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Two young lovers, Sputla and Maria, from the rival parties, despairingly declare their feelings for each other and watch their love being battered and eventually crushed by the conflict. As a symbol of peace, the couple stays alive at the end of the story, Pooe says.
"It is a show that is energetic and vibrant, filled with beautiful jazz music."
Peace in Our Lifetime has been produced by the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State, Technikon Natal and the BAT Centre, Durban's arts and culture hub, he notes. It also had a successful tour of New York and Canada in June 2000.
"International people love seeing energy on stage." Pooe says he has also benefited from feedback from theatre personalities such as Mbongeni Ngema, Aubrey Sekhabi and Zinzi Mbuli.
The cast of Peace in Our Lifetime put on an energetic performance on stage
Peace in Our Lifetime is on at the Windybrow Theatre in Hillbrow from 12 July to 22 July. Tickets prices vary - from Monday to Friday tickets are R40 and on Saturday and Sunday they are R55. Performances on Tuesday to Saturday are at 7.30pm; Sunday performances are at 3pm.
For more information contact Lindelwa Mahlabe on 011 720 7009.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
