Lara Foot’s latest play, Fishers of Hope (Taweret), explores the meaning of hope in Africa at the National Arts Festival and Baxter this July
Fishers of Hope, subtitled Taweret, a new South African play by the multi-award-winning writer/director Lara Foot, will have its world premiere at the National Arts Festival from 3 to 5 July, followed by a season at the Baxter Flipside from 10 July to 2 August at 7.30pm nightly.
Acclaimed for her productions of Tshepang, Karoo Moose, Woyzeck and Solomon and Marion, Foot teams up with researchers Nina Swart and Masai warrior Miyere Miyandazi to bring to life this African tale of hope, choices and upliftment. Setting the play somewhere in Africa, Lara returns to her signature style through magical realism, physical theatre, textured imagery and a richly entwined soundscape and score with authentic African music.
Subtitled Taweret, after the protective ancient mythological Egyptian goddess of childbirth and fertility, the play is layered with metaphors as it delves into the social and environmental effects on a family and community in a fishing village. The name means “she who is great” or “great one,” a common pacificatory address to dangerous deities. The deity is typically depicted as a female hippopotamus, and this becomes a fundamental thread interwoven into the narrative.
The cast is led by Mncedisi Shabangu, who played the role of the storyteller in Foot’s Tshepang and also takes on the responsibility of assistant director on this production. The rest of the dynamic and diverse ensemble is made up of Cape Town dancer/performer Shaun Oelf, and Phillip Tipo Tindisa, Lesedi Job and Philip Dikotla. Musician Nceba Gongxeka creates the live soundtrack. The young children are played by Junaide Johnson, Azola Gola, Yomzi Tyali Masixole (all three were in Foot’s hit festive season production Scrooge) alternating with Makuxolwe Sigonya, Simbonile Matshaya and Kwanda Vuba.
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE: Fishers of Hope previews at the Baxter Flipside on 10 July, opens on 11 July and runs until 2 August at 7.30pm, except 24 to 26 July. There are matinees on Saturday 19 July at 2pm and on 17 July at 11am. School’s performances are at 11am.
TICKETS: from R110 (previews and matinees) to R120 (Monday to Thursday) and R140 over weekends. Schools block bookings are R50. There is an age restriction of 14 years.
BOOKINGS: Computicket, on 0861 915 8000, or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted block bookings, charities, schools, corporate bookings and fundraisers, contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.
