New life for ‘Ways of Dying’
Zakes Mda’s acclaimed first novel to be staged at The Baxter with stellar creative team
ZAKES Mda’s acclaimed first novel, Ways of Dying, will be presented by the Baxter Theatre Centre and UCT’s Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies (CTDPS), at the Baxter Flipside for six performances only, from November 10-14, at 7pm, with a Saturday matinee at 3pm on November 14.
Adapted and directed by Lara Foot, who directed the work 20 years ago at The Market Theatre, the cast is made up of 14 fourth-year students from CTDPS.
The formidable award-winning creative team comprises Mdu Kweyama (direction and choreography), Bongile Mantsai (direction and music) with set design by Patrick Curtis, lighting design by Mannie Manim and costume design by Leigh Bishop.
All performances will be limited to 50% capacity, with all Covid-19 protocols observed: hand sanitisers, tracking and tracing recorded, wearing of masks and physical distancing. Audience members are advised to arrive an hour before the start of the performance to avoid delays.
“The CTDPS is thrilled to be collaborating with The Baxter on this production,” says Sara Matchet, head of CTDPS. “This year has proved exceptionally challenging in terms of teaching in the Performing and Creative Arts departments. Loss of face-to-face contact teaching due to the pandemic has impacted our programmes enormously.
“The collaboration promises to offer our graduating acting students an experience that will make up for what has been lost. And a theatrical treat for local audiences.”
The cast comprises Liam Walsh, Tamzin Williams, Megan Tromp, Francis Sholto-Douglas, Klara Schoonraad, Emma-Jane Pieters, Bokang Ntsutle, Basetsana Motloung, Tshiamo Moretlwe, Tebatso Molapo, Cullum McCormack, Brett Ilsley, Anathi Godlo and Sam Alexander.
The story follows Toloki, an eccentric and dignified professional mourner, who meets his childhood friend Noria at her son’s funeral.
They fall in love and move in together, each teaching the other how to heal and live.
Ways of Dying is the 1995 novel by South African novelist, poet and playwright, Mda who has won South African and international literary awards for his work. The book received the M-Net Book prize, and was shortlisted for the Can Award and a Noma Award.
Ticket prices for Ways of Dying are R75 and R50 for students.
Booking is through Webtickets on 086 111 0005, online at www.webtickets.co.za or at
Pick n Pay stores.
For discounted school or group block bookings, fund-raisers or charities, contact Carmen Kearns at 021 680 3993 or e-mail carmen. kearns@uct.ac.za.