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Behind Closed DoorsArtscape02/27/2002 00:00:00 
MEDIA RELEASEPresented by Sibikwa Sisters Devised and Directed by Phyllis Klotz Musical Direction by Smal Ndaba Baxter Concert Hall 19 - 28 March 2002 After rousing audiences in Durban, Gauteng, Grahamstown, Norway, Mmabatho and Schools Festivals in South Africa with their production of 'Behind Closed Doors', Sibikwa Sisters will present this riveting play at the Baxter Concert Hall from 19 to 28 March 2002. Sibikwa, an Nguni word for "making an announcement", has been astounding audiences since its founding in 1988 by Smal Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz. They were last seen at The Baxter in 1994 with their acclaimed musical, Kwela Bafana. For the past 15 years Phyllis Klotz, who directs Behind Closed Doors has used theatre as a platform for women's issues. In this play she confronts another highly topical concern that touches most of our lives and yet few dare to speak about .. sexual abuse and rape. 'Behind Closed Doors' tells the story of a young girl raped by a man well known to her family and focuses on her struggle to survive the ordeal. The objective of the play is to create awareness about the trauma of rape from a woman's perspective and explores the effect and reactions of this ordeal on the immediate family and society. While evocative and subtle, the pain and horror experienced by the victim is communicated through the powerful combination of choral music and dance. "I want to alert people to the things that can happen in families and create awareness of how complex the situation actually is. It's easy to form stereotypes", say Klotz. 'Behind Closed Doors' has been described as 'a shock to the senses and wake up call'. 'It has the power to inform, empower, entertain and heal' (The Star). Audiences are not left to deal with these responses on their own. They are encouraged to remain for a discussion in which they can talk about their reactions, share their experiences and find ways to break the cycle of violence in their own communities. The discussion, led by a trained therapist, allows the audience to take the impact of the theatrical experience beyond the emotional reaction into action for change. This is theatre for transformation, a signature of the Sibikwa Community Theatre Project. Sibikwa Sisters is the performing arm of Sibikwa Players, dedicated to deal with women's issues. Musical direction is by Smal Ndaba. The cast include Ntombi Maphosa, Zanele Nkala, Debra Leshika, Linda Mahlangu and Chan Marti, with music and songs by Thembeka Mavuso and Mageba Hlatshwayo. Discussions are facilitated by trained Drama Therapist, Paula Kingwill. Sibikwa Sisters are collaborating with well-known artist Gail Iris Neke who will be exhibiting pieces from her work, 'Killing the (M)other'. Gail has chosen to explore through her visual art the reasons why men rape, rather than the effects on the survivor. 'Behind Closed Doors' is available for schools, community centres, fundraising opportunities and block bookings. In this regard contact Anita Collet on 021 532 2840 or 083 618 6381 for more information. The performance lasts 80 minutes including the discussion. Tickets may be bought at Computicket outlets including the Baxter Box Office, or through credit card telephone bookings; Baxter Centre 021 680 3989 or 021 685 7880, Computicket 083 915 8100 or 083 131 and www.computicket.com. Prices are R15 for schools and public matinees, R30 for the evening shows and R20 for block bookings (10 or more). For more about Sibikwa take a look at their website www.sibikwa.co.za. ends Issued on behalf of Sibikwa Tel 011 422 4359 : Fax 011 421 2346 sibikwa@iafrica.com : www.sibikwa.co.za For further media info please contact Berniece Friedmann 021 434 4951 or 082 892 5877 bernfried@kingsley.co.za Press Photos: www.sibikwa.co.za/photos.htm BEHIND CLOSED DOORS CAST The Women - Ntombi Maphosa The Man - Zanele Nkala The Child - Debra Leshika The Survivor - Linda Mahlangu The Friend - Chan Marti MUSICIANS / SINGERS Thembeka Mavuso Mageba Hlatshwayo SIBIKWA DIRECTORS PHYLLIS KLOTZ Phyllis pioneered Young People's Theatre Educational Trust and the Sibikwa Community Theatre Project, along with Smal Ndaba. She has worked in numerous theatre, drama and arts groups such as the South African Association of Drama and Youth Theatre and the National Arts Coalition as a cultural activist. In these organisations Klotz was instrumental in the conception and implementation of projects. Klotz and Ndaba pioneered and facilitated a method for training young black actors. She has been responsible for evolving an educational drama teaching methodology applicable to South African educational needs and was instrumental in the publication of three books on drama in the classroom. Klotz has led her company as director, playwright and producer on international tours worldwide. She has facilitated workshops in the numerous countries she has toured. Her repertoire of plays included a wide range of topics from Shakespeare to the environment, playing in schools, day hospitals, factories and wherever people assemble. Her immersion in the problems of South African woman in the lower socio-economic groups led her to write collaboratively and direct 'You Strike a Woman You Strike a Rock'. A seminal piece of South African theatre about exploited black women. 'Strike' won the Denver Award for Best Foreign Production in the USA. She was a finalist in the South African Woman of the Year competition in the Arts and Culture section 2001. SMAL NDABA In 1988 Ndaba co-founded the Sibikwa Community Theatre Project with Phyllis Klotz. Prior to this he had toured the USA, Australia and Europe as stage manager for Bopha and played the lead role in African Odyssey at the Market Theatre. Ndaba initiated a skills training programme for school 'dropouts', providing them with both the self-esteem and abilities with which to support them. Smal was instrumental in gathering together unemployed musicians from the fifties and sixties and creating an initiative for them to return to formal education. He wrote and acted in his own play 'So Where To' and wrote the play 'DET Boys High' which received a Vita Award for its contribution to South African theatre Ndaba as a playwright and director makes use of drama to raise social and political issues. He has presented numerous workshops on South African theatre in countries such as Zimbabwe, Botswana and the USA. Together Klotz and Ndaba have written 'So Where To' (1988), DET Boys High (1991), 'Ubuntu Bomhlaba' (1993), 'Uhambo - The Journey' (1997) and 'Isizwe Sethu - Our Nation' (1998/9). PROFILES OF CAST NTOMBI MAPHOSA started her training at Sibikwa with the Saturday Arts Academy. She was selected in 1998 for the Young Women's Theatre Training Project. She performed in 'Red Shoes Bleeding' (based on the myth of the Red Shoes) in 1998, 'Isizwe Sethu' in 1998-99, 'The Stadium' in 2001 and was one of the original cast members of 'Behind Closed Doors'. ZANELE NKALA was selected for the Young Women's Theatre Training Project in 1998, performed in 'Red Shoes Bleeding', 'Isizwe Sethu' 1998-99 and was one of the original cast members of 'Behind Closed Doors'. She also performed in a poetry program for the Gender Commission. DEBRA LESHIKA trained at Fuba from 1998 - 2000. She was a member of the Bopa Dance Forum from 1998-2000, was a dancer and actress for the Usuthu Cultural Club in 2001. Working as a choreographer and dancer on 'The Gods are Not to Blame', which won the best ensemble at the Windybrow Arts Festival in 1998, 'No Man's Land' a Swedish cultural exchange, 'The Journey and Africa the Continent'. She joined Sibikwa Sisters in 2001. LINDA MAHLANGU participated in the three-year Youth Employment Program run by Sibikwa and performed in a variety of productions including 'Flower of Hope in 1996'. She performed. In 'sizwe Sethu'1998-99, 'he Stadium' 2001, was one of the original cast members of 'Behind Closed Doors', and performed at the FNB Vita Sibikwa Storytelling Festival in 2001. CHAN MARTI trained at National School for the Arts and UCT, winning many awards along the way. She is best known for her performance in 'Sweat on Somerset', which got her a FNB Vita Nomination for Best Upcoming Actress. She has performed in many productions from Maynardville to the Grahamstown Festival, the Klein Karoo Kunsfees to The Ministery of Health including 'Die Toneelstuk' directed by Marthinus Basson, and 'Daisy in the Great Gatsby'. MUSICIANS MAGEBA HLATSHWAYO trained as a young schoolgirl at the Sibikwa Saturday Arts Academy from 1998. As a member of Phakama - initiated by Sibikwa - she went to London on an international cultural exchange with The London International Festival of Theatre (LIST). THEMBEKA MAVUSO studied musical education at Funda College from 1990 to 1995. She is an accomplished musician, dancer and actor and as travelled internationally from Germany to Algeria, Brazil to London and locally with different productions, most notably the Gauteng Dance Troupe. In 1991 she was a back up singer for Sibongile Kumalo, touring with her to national festivals. A highlight of her career was being awarded overall winner of the Shell Road to Fame. She is currently performing with the Djembe and Marimba Band at the Funda Centre. ABOUT SIBIKWA SISTERS Since its inception Sibikwa has been concerned with the obstacles faced by women, especially young women. Sibikwa Sisters was formed in 1998 out of the Youth Training Program. The Sisters are a dedicated theatre group who use theatre as a platform for women's issues. Together they have developed, among others, 'Red Shoes Bleeding' about domestic violence, 'Flower of Hope', which deals with women's rights under the new constitution and 'Behind Closed Doors'. Members of the company have been trained by Famsa in peer counselling. Sibikwa Sisters is a part of The Sibikwa Players, Sibikwa's professional theatre company, comprising of actors, dancers and singers many of whom have been trained through the Sibikwa Community Theatre Project. They have toured nationally and internationally. Their focus is to educate people about social issues through the use of the performing arts. ends For further information please contact Berniece Friedmann 021 434 4951 or 082 892 5877 bernfried@kingsley.co.za |
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