UMABATHA - WRITTEN BY WELCOME MSOMI

UMABATHA  - WRITTEN BY WELCOME MSOMI

Directed by Josias Dos Moleele

University of Pretoria’s Drama Department presents a re-interpretation of Welcome Msomi’s iconic and critically acclaimed 1971 play, uMabatha from 20-24 September 2016. Shakespeare’s 400th birthday is celebrated this year, and the Drama Department salutes both Shakespeare and a local living legend with this production.

Msomi’s play offered a localised reading of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and became known as ‘the Zulu Macbeth’. Msomi explored themes in Macbeth such as the abuse, and corruptive potentiality of, power and unchecked ambition; greed and deceit; tyranny and oppression; and fate vs free will in the context of the early 19th century South Africa. He (freely) interpreted and aligned the narrative of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to run parallel to that of Shaka kaSenzangakhona (Shaka Zulu). Characters and locations were transposed to a local context, for example Macbeth/Mabatha; Macduff/Mafudu; Lady Macbeth/ Kamadonsela; Banquo/Bhangane; and an invading Swazi army by which Macbeth/Mabatha is defeated.  The play is a landmark in the South African theatre landscape.

Moleele’s directorial interpretation simultaneously shifts and references the cultural framework that Msomi’s play was located in through mise-en-scène and dramatic language. Multi-cultural cast of drama students, complimented by the Usuthu community theatre groups from Atteridgeville and Mamelodi. Moleele is supported by choreographer Luyanda Sidyia (Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance 2015); set designer Karabo Legoabe and costume designer Nthabiseng Makone. 

Show starts 19h00 20-23 September.

Show starts 15h00 on 23 and 24 September.

Tickets: R50 for adults, R40 for students and learners.

Learner and student block bookings of 20 persons and more - R35.

Tickets available online at www.tixsa.co.za and at the door.  We regret that no cash payments will be possible, only online payments (Tixsa) and card sales (at the door).