Aubrey Sekhabi’s high-octane, gripping thriller Silent Voice, featuring a stellar cast, will have audiences riveted to their seats when it opens on 13 October.
Nominated for five Naledi Awards earlier this year (Best Production of a Play, Best Director, Best Ensemble/Cutting Edge, Best Score/Arrangement/Adaptation and Best Lighting Design), the play has been performed to great acclaim at the South African State Theatre, the Market Theatre and most recently the Edinburgh Assembly Fringe Festival.
The production received a five-star accolade from the British Theatre Guide, which described it as “a deceptively clever theatrical piece” and said, “It is a gripping story of four men on the run after a botched robbery that turns into murder, with some meaningful and realistic commentary about life in modern-day South Africa. As their plans begin to unravel, the audience is brought into the midst of the action as they become pawns in a high-stakes fight for survival.”
Sunday Independent described it as “utterly compelling viewing”, Mail & Guardian agreed, calling it “a gripping work” and The Citizen simply said, “thrilling”.
Affectionately known as the Quentin Tarantino of township theatre Aubrey Sekhabi is the artistic director of the State Theatre in Pretoria and is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s highly respected and dynamic theatre-makers. In 2006 he directed the highly successful return to the stage of John Kani and Winston Ntshona in Sizwe Banzi is Dead at the Baxter Theatre. Despite his prolific and award-winning career, this is the first time in many years that one of his own plays will be staged and performed in Cape Town. Other productions which he was responsible for include Rivonia Trial and most recently he adapted and directed Marikana – The Musical.
WHERE & WHEN: Silent Voice previews at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio on 13 and 14 October, opens on 15 October at 8.15pm, with a matinee on 18 October at 2pm and runs until 1 November.
TICKETS: R80 (previews and matinee), R90 (Monday to Thursday) and R100 over weekends.
There is an age restriction of 14 years due to language and violence. Booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.
For discounted school or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.
PHOTO: Don Mosenye, Zenzo Nqobe, Tshall Chokwe, Don Mosenye – pic Sanmari Marais
