Mzansi Theatre Review

DreamScapes dancers performing at the Roodepoort Theatre in Johannesburg. Picture: Lauge Sorensen. After nearly a decade, Joburg Ballet makes a dramatic return to the Roodepoort Theatre with a transformative triple bill, DreamScapes .  Through a fusion of music, movement, and visual storytelling, DreamScapes delves into the collective consciousness of a nation still reckoning with its past while envisioning its future. It weaves together personal histories and shared experiences, creating a tapestry of sound and emotion that resonates deeply with audiences.  Rooted in the rhythms of jazz and traditional African music, the production pays homage to the resilience and creativity that define South African artistry.  At the heart of DreamScapes lies a rich tapestry of artistry that weaves together the classical beauty of Les Sylphides, an evocative new work titled The Underworld & Elsewhere by choreographer Kitty Phehla, and an electrifying piece called Resonance by in...

Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo (left) as Winnie, with Ayanda Sibisi who plays Delisiwe, perform during a rehearsal of "The Cry of Winnie Mandela" at Market Theatre in Johannesburg, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Winnie Mandela, a name synonymous with resilience and struggle, occupies a complex space in South African history. Known affectionately as the "Mother of the Nation," her legacy is revered by many, yet also accompanied by controversy. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of her life, Professor Njabulo S. Ndebele undertook a literary mission to encapsulate her essence in his acclaimed novel, The Cry of Winnie Mandela , released in 2003. In this profound work, Ndebele weaves the tales of four women, mirroring the Greek myth of Odysseus’ Penelope, who, in an apartheid-riddled landscape, endure the pain of waiting for husbands lost to struggles far beyond their control. This narrative serves not just to examine personal grief, but also to interroga...

Winston Ntshona, Athol Fugard and John Kani. Picture: Gallo Images. In a heartfelt tribute, acclaimed South African actor and playwright John Kani shares the profound friendship and the creative journey with the late theatre luminary Athol Fugard, whose impactful storytelling continues to shape the landscape of South African theatre.  This comes in the wake of Fugard's passing, stirring memories of a turbulent era marked by apartheid and cultural resistance.  Fugard passed away on March 8, at the age of 92.  "Athol was my brother and my comrade in the struggle for the liberation of our country" In a press statement, Kani looks back on his life in 1965, a time when despair cast a heavy shadow over the Eastern Cape's oppressive socio-political climate.  "It was a wasteland of pain and suffering," he recalls, noting that many of his peers endured detention, exile, or death. Yet, amid darkness, creativity bloomed through initiatives like the Serpent Players Dr...

Athol Fugard - The Shadow Of The Hummingbird - Jul 2014 The Market Theatre joins the world in mourning the passing of Athol Fugard, a titan of South African and world theatre whose voice and vision shaped the landscape of storytelling both at home and abroad. Fugard’s unflinching commitment to truth, justice, and the act of witnessing through theatre resonated deeply within the Market Theatre’s walls, where his plays found a natural home and a passionate audience. His long list of remarkable works – Boesman and Lena, "Master Harold"... and the Boys, The Road to Mecca, People are Living There, Hello & Goodbye, Nongogo among many others - confronted what it is to be human in an imperfect world and offered a study of relationships that are unsurpassed.  His collaborative plays, with the likes of John Kani and Winston Ntshona, like Sizwe Bansi is Dead and The Island challenged injustice and held a mirror to our society that was recognised globally.  As an artist, his words...