WWI story of SS Mendi leaps from page on to Soweto Theatre stage Learners and audiences have the opportunity to see history come alive when Lara Foot’s stirring play Ukutshona ko Mendi… Did We Dance (The Sinking of the Mendi) comes to the Soweto Theatre from 25 to 30 November 2014. This special season of the historical drama, which has already shown at the Baxter and Market theatres to great acclaim, is presented by the Goethe-Institut Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, the Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung and the British Council. It has been hailed as magical realism storytelling at its finest, conveying a uniquely South African story set against the backdrop of World War One. The weeklong run of this powerful play is principally aimed at high school pupils, but will also interest members of the public and history buffs. It is being staged to coincide with the centenary of the start of the First World War in 1914. Says Norbert Spitz, Director of the Goethe-Institut South Africa: “We want to shed light not only on the European experience of the First World War, but also on the many South African stories linked to it – such as the tragedy of the SS Mendi, which is being told in this exceptional theatre production.” Directed by Mandla Mbothwe, the play stars Warona Seane – who, in addition to being an award-winning actress, is the artistic director of the Soweto Theatre – as well as Apollo Ntshoko, Bongile Mantsai, Lulamile Nikani, Mongenzi Ncwadi, Owen Manamela and Thando Doni. Ukutshona ko Mendi tells the haunting and evocative story of the sinking of the troopship SS Mendi in the English Channel on 21 February 1917, after it was struck by another ship travelling at high speed. The maritime disaster caused the death of more than 600 black South African officers on board, who were on their way to support the British Army in France. Most of the men who made up the fifth battalion of the South African Native Labour Corps hailed from rural Pondoland in the Eastern Cape. But what made the tragedy all the more poignant was the heroic way in which the men met their doom in the icy waters off the Isle of Wight: dancing a barefooted “death dance” on the tilting deck of the Mendi as she plunged beneath the ocean. The title of Foot’s extraordinary play is derived from a poem by S.E.K. Mqhayi, a survivor of the tragedy, which records the oral legend of this act of great dignity and courage. It is this very act that has given its name to South Africa’s highest award for courage, the Order of the Mendi, which is bestowed by the president on South African citizens who have performed outstanding acts of bravery. The season at the Soweto Theatre, located in Jabulani, has been scheduled for the convenience of high school learners. As such, there are matinee performances at 3pm on 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 November 2014. There will also be 8pm performances on 25, 26 and 28 November 2014. The British Council have sponsored an amount of tickets for learners, these will work on a first come first serve basis for schools that need the assistance. Queries for this can be made by calling Ncebakazi at the Soweto Theatre on (011) 930 7463. A teachers’ workshop will be facilitated by the South African History Archive (SAHA), at Constitution Hill on Saturday, 29 November. To book your place at this free workshop, please contact SAHA by phoning 011 718 2560 or emailing [email protected]. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness an authentic and compelling account of South African history! Book online at sowetotheatre or by phoning (011) 930 7463. Discounts are available for block bookings and schools. Event listing: Play: Ukutshona ko Mendi… Did We Dance (The Sinking of the Mendi) Playwright: Lara Foot Director: Mandla Mbothwe Cast: Warona Seane, Apollo Ntshoko, Bongile Mantsai, Lulamile Nikani, Mongenzi Ncwadi, Owen Manamela and Thando Doni Venue: Soweto Theatre, corner of Bolani Road and Bolani Link Road, Jabulani, Soweto GPS co-ordinates: -26.249266, 27.860302 Season: 25 to 30 November 2014 Performance times: 3pm (26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 November) and 8pm (25, 26 and 28 November) Tickets: R50 Block bookings: R30 per person for groups of 10 or more; R15 for school groups Bookings: Visit sowetotheatre/ or phone (011) 930 7463 Ukutshona ko Mendi… Did We Dance (The Sinking of the Mendi) at Soweto Theatre is part of: FROM THE TRENCHES OF THE MARNE TO THE HILLS OF RWANDA: REFLECTIONS ON 100 YEARS OF WAR, GENOCIDE AND MASS VIOLENCE A series of lectures, films and panel discussions to commemorate the centenary of the beginning of the First World War, the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War and the 20th commemoration of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. 11 November – 11 December 2014 Presented by : Alliance Francaise, British Council, EUNIC, Goethe-Institut, IFAS, Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Center, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, SAHA Belgian Embassy, Bioscope, Con Hill, Ditsong, Instituto Camões, Italian Cultural Institute, Lilleslief, UNISA, Wits For more information on the commemorative events, please visit goethe.de/joburg/reflections or email [email protected]
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 10:30:34 +0000
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