Your festive theatre guide
CAPTIVATING: LINE-UP HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Annual Mzansi Fela Festival may be just what you need to escape tedium.
December and the lengthy holiday period usually signals family time and the end of most entertainment activities, as almost everything winds down to a snail’s pace. But don’t despair.
If braais and gobbledegook of drunken relatives around the festive table is not your thing, why not opt for a bit of theatrics of a more stimulating nature.
The 11th Annual Mzansi Fela Festival at the SA State Theatre in Pretoria may be just what you need escape the tedium of the drawn-out festive break, and to reconnect with your inner culture vulture.
The line-up includes: THEATRE REVIEW Perfect for kids, parents The Boy Who Cried Ninja Fun for the whole family
Alex Latimer’s The Boy Who
Cried Ninja makes its theatrical debut this month at the Auto and General Theatre on the Square, in Sandton.
In the show, Tim witnesses some strange happenings around his house, but no one believes his explanations. In fact, no matter what Tim says, his parents punish him with chores.
He hatches a plan to expose the truth. Will it work, or will he have to spend the rest of his life raking the yard?
This romp is directed and adapted by Jenine Collocot and is perfect for kiddies and parents.
Book at Computicket.
TAU Until December 9
Tau follows the main character, Tau, who lives in a conflict of modern and traditional domestic rules rooted in African history.
He embarks on a journey of discovering his manhood, himself and his Sesotho culture.
It scooped three Naledi Awards and the Standard Bank Fringe Golden Award at the National Arts Festival.
Tickets: R110
MANTSHO December 12 to 16
Mantsho is a Sesotho cultural play about the king of the Bakoena clan who marries the serpent’s spawn, Mantsho, after his wife dies. Mantsho manipulates the king and leaves the land in turmoil.
The show educates on issues of greed, ignorance, land expropriation, culture and tradition.
Tickets: R110
ISAMBULO December 7 to 9
Isambulo is a musical that displays the African culture of worship within a typical Sunday church service.
It’s a clear dramatisation of what you would find in different South African churches and embraces diverse ways in which different churches worship.
Tickets: R150 to R180
CADO Until December 15
The State Theatre champions a community art dramaturgy outreach (Cado) programme which aims to unearth talent rooted in communities across the country.
The programme annually visits communities to provide workshops and form groups that will later participate in Mzansi Fela Festival.
Tickets: R20