The Playhouse Company will be supporting various theatre practitioners to help them stage their work at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstownfrom 29 June to 9 July.

Fifteenproductions are receiving support for their work which will be staged on the National Lottery Fringe Programme at the Festival. The 16^thproduction, On The Line, will stage on the Arena Programme by the award-winning Playhouse Dance Residency in association with The Playhouse Company.

“The Playhouse Company is passionate about supporting KZN artists and assisting them to develop and showcase their work to vast audiences,” said The Playhouse Company CEO and Artistic Director, Linda Bukhosini.“The National Arts Festival in Grahamstownprovides a significant opportunity for local groups to access national and international audiences.”

After a lengthy application and audition process the following productions have earned additional support from The Playhouse:

*KUBILI (TWO) (Mhayise Productions): A double bill of dance theatre duets choreographed by Musa Hlatshwayo and performed by Mhayise Productions. The first piece,Dudlu...Dadlaza, is a metaphorical journey of two black young women who navigate their identity in a society where political ideologies impose standards and expectations around their identity. The second, DODA is an exploration of issues around black male identity and modern day and traditional masculinity in a society that is faced with the struggle of negotiating its collective political socio-political identity. Director & Choreographer: Musa Hlatshwayo

*ANTS JOB (Dikianga Arts Development Agency): A nail biting and thought provoking physical drama, a behind the-curtains look at the dishonourable state of living for Somali women. Writer/Director: BhekaniBiyela

*TRAFFICKED (Trulife Productions): Combines physical theatre, poetry and media projection to tell the story of a South African girl tricked into a dangerous human trafficking syndicate. This highly creative and gripping performance explores the ongoing reality of modern-day slavery happening on our doorstep. Trulife toured this production throughout KZN to great acclaim. Director: Nancy Strauss

*GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY (Umphithi Theatre Project Management): A story which takes place in village in Kwazulu-Natal after the brutal murder of an innocent old woman. Family members start pointing fingers at each other. Was that old woman supposed to die? Someone has to pay. Director: BhekiMncwabe,Writer: GcinaMdluli,Choreography: ThembaMkhoma

*HUMAN RACE (Newcastle Arts Development Organisation): Three different human figures find themselves estranged in one place they have never seen, somewhere between life and a heaven. Trying to figure out what is going on, they simultaneously fall in to the trap of the Human Race before death. The race is being better than the other, fighting over power, respect, acknowledgement and the battle of beliefs. Writer/Director: PhelelaniMzimela

*GIVING BIRTH TO MY FATHER (MagentaPro): The black girl in a yellow dress tells us the colourful tale of how she was born. As we listen to her closely she suddenly gains the courage to reveal herself completely. In the final moments of her revelation we discover the secret of how she once gave birth to her father, but is this secret real or is it a lie? And if it is possible how will it transform the way she sees the world? Director: MenziMkhwane Writer: Wiseman Mncube

*INYATHUKO (Mnqobi LM Arts Company): This is the story of a young girl, Ntongodwane, and a young boy, Dubazana, who were so in love but not allowed to be seen together due to Ntongodwana’s gift of healing the kingdom; which was not allowing her to date anyone. Their love forces the king to chase them away from his kingdom. Writer/Director: Mnqobi L Msimango

*US AGAINST THEM (AphiweNamba Productions): This protest piece is politically driven… one cannot talk protest theatre leaving out politics. It spearheads relevant issues that many can identify with. This piece utilizes music, dance, folklores of the times. Every melody, movement is cutting edge and leaves you at the edge of your seat. Writer/Director: AphiweNamba Choreography: SaneleDre Maphumulo

*WOMEN’S TEARS (Edgy Drama Mix Production): This is a story of mine workers who were murdered because they were demanding a raise in their salary. The government and the policemen are blaming each other. So, the policemen are meeting with the government officials to discuss their situation. It is inspired by the Marikana Massacre. The story is told through powerful dialogue, images and music. Writer/Director: XolaniDlongolo

*DAFFI FALLS (Umsindo Theatre Projects): This is a story about the life and times of President Muammar Gaddafi. The story is told by a journalist who is obsessed about Gaddafi’s life story and mirrors it with his life. The story starts with Gaddafi’s last moment, he wakes up full of blood asking what happened to him,the journalist helps him remember. The story is told through powerful music, drama, images, multimedia and poetry. Writers / Directors: Musawenkosi&BongumusaShabalala

* NOMALIZO - THE BRAVE (Madanisa Creative Productions): A story of love. It  reflects on today’s issues when young women are being forced to be in love with the men they do not love because of power and money when the culture of ukuthwala plays a big role. It encourages women to stand up and fight. The story is told through acting, poetry and Zulu dance. Writer / Director: BonginkosiShangase

*REFUGEE(Wushwini Arts Culture and Heritage Centre):A story of displaced people who find themselves in a refugee camp. They tell their stories, haunted by their past, mourning their loss of identity, culture and dignity, A refugee becomes a number, no name, no surname, no address just a number. The story is told through images, song, dance, multimedia and storytelling. Writer/Director: Jerry Pooe

ALL GONE! (Moving Acts Productions): A gripping one hander with a strong moral message, it is a light-hearted theatre for all ages. It arouses mentality and empowers young and old people with a much-needed consumer education. Through language, inner action and audience interaction BonganiMbatha’s artistic skills and expertise takes us through the life of Innocent Mhlanga who is given a second chance to make it in life but only realises too late... after he has blown it all. Director: MncedisiShabangu

CIA (DurrtySaint Music): If Usher, Bruno Mars, and Chris Brown tickle your earbuds, then Cia will be no different. Cia is one of the very best Pop/R&B vocalists in SA. Extended Foreplay Live music show is an electrifying live interpretation of his debut EP and transcends between

genres including, Pop, Rock, R&B, Blues and Hip Hop.

PHUMLANI MTITI TRIO: After a very successful jazz concert last year, PhumlaniMtiti is now bringing a fresh and highly talented trio. PhumlaniMtiti will be showcasing new works written specifically for the new trio. A real treat for both jazz lovers and the festival goers at large.PhumlaniMtiti on saxophones, Dalisundlazi on bass and ZolaniRafuza on drums.

The Playhouse Company, in association with the award-winning Playhouse Dance Residency, will present On The Line, choreographed by SandileMkhize. From a melting pot of the dance artists’ personal experiences and intense research into societies social standards and expectations; this new age dance work will excite, inspire and motivate all in an obscure yet twisted narrative. From its thought provoking, intense story line to the many creative avenues of an honest and thrilling dance work performed by some of the greatest technical dance artists of this era â€" a work not to be missed!

ENDS
 

For further information, please contact Latoya Goldstone on (031) 369 9466 or via email on Commscord@playhousecompany.com