Suidoosterfees time with a difference this Heritage Month! Artscape proudly presents NEW VOICES in conjunction with the Suidoosterfees – with a brand-new look.
New Voices tells new stories that reflect the state of our society through excellent theatre performances. The stories capture our common narratives and memories that have been underappreciated in the past. The 2021 programme will include a radio drama, two staged readings and a full stage production, presented in conjunction with the Suidoosterfees.
“We had to think out of the box about this year’s programme,” says Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux. “Due to the COVID-19 restrictions we could not present this popular programme in its usual format. Our collaboration with Suidoosterfees allowed us to restructure our presentation and make it more flexible. It offers more theatre workers an opportunity to earn an income – which is very important to us.”
Xolisa Ngubelanga’s It’s my baby will be presented as a full stage production from 27 September to 1 October. The play made its debut earlier this year as one of the Suidoosterfees NATi Rising Stars productions. It’s my baby tackles controversial topics like the land issue and farm attacks, interlaced with a captivating exploration of the plight of children who grow up without a father. “The play proved to be very popular during its once-off performance at the Suidoosterfees earlier this year, and it had people talking,” says Suidoosterfees CEO Jana Hattingh. “We therefore thought it would be the perfect choice for New Voices. Xolisa Ngubelanga is indeed one of our most exciting new voices in the industry.”
In October, there will be a showcasing of two staged readings in Artscape’s Arena Theatre.
On 2 October award-winning playwright Rafiek Mammon’s Oujaarsaand, an off-beat comedy portraying a middle-aged jobless actress about to jump from a high-rise building, will be staged. Oujaarsaand will follow the candid conversations between the actress and a policewoman who attempts to rescue her. The second staged reading is Dara Beth’s All my ex-lovers are dead, a contemporary exploration of love and relationships, scheduled for 11 October. The production is described as a no-holds-barred investigation into a series of failed love affairs.
Members of the public can attend the on-stage readings free of charge. Tickets for It’s my baby can be purchased for R50 at Artscape Dial-a-Seat (021 421 7839) or at Computicket outlets.
The City of Cape Town’s Arts & Culture Branch will mark Heritage Month alongside the Suidoosterfees, with two productions in which top artists from different music genres will collaborate on stage to produce unique musical experiences.
Managed by Suidoosterfees, the Music in Motion development project (Maestros and Mentors), hosted workshops and auditions in various communities to identify talent and provide training and mentorship towards a performance for young people aged 15 – 25 from across Cape Town.
Lockdown Legato: Kaapsentriek and Lockdown Legato: Maestros and Mentors, will be released weekly as music videos on the festival’s online platforms, which will be free to the public and currently available. The music videos can be viewed here: Facebook: Suidoosterfees | Instagram: @Suidoosterkunstefees | Twitter: @Suidoosterfees
Young and upcoming artists will have the opportunity to hone their skills, while sharing the stage with their mentors.
The productions will draw from music genres like opera, jazz, classical, traditional, cabaret, rap and rock.
Established artists who will participate include some of the country’s best-known names in the music industry: Die Heuwels Fantasties, Anna Davel, Kyle Seconna, Loukmaan Adams, Pierre van Heerden, Amanda Tiffin, Anathi Mobo, Zenobia Kloppers, Tarryn Lamb, Nicole Holm and many more.
Anathi Mobo, one of South Africa’s brightest young jazz stars, will perform with her mentor, Amanda Tiffin, while Pierre van Heerden, known for his role in the international musical production of The Lion King, will sing with Loukmaan Adams. Together they will create fresh authentic sounds with Halala Afrika and the Malay choir song Rosa in the same mix.
Suidoosterfees board chairman, Professor Brian Figaji, expressed his appreciation for the City of Cape Town’s support as a festival partner.
WHAT: Suidoosterfees at Artscape and Online
WHERE: Artscape Theatre Centre, DF Malan St, Cape Town 8001
HOW: Artscape Dial-A Seat +27 21 421 7695 or Computicket and Online (see above)
