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Catch The SA Women's Arts FestivalCopy Dog Editorial Enterprises CC07/23/2010 10:08:47 
The 14th South African Women's Arts Festival (SAWAF) opens at the Playhouse next Friday (30 July) and runs until 8 August. Heading the high profile stage attractions in this year's line-up is the glitzy Afro beat musical, African Mamas, which toured Europe to wide acclaim, playing to packed houses and clocking up more than 300 performances. This runs in the Drama Theatre. Directed by Leoni Jansen and designed by Andrew Botha, it is performed by a starry line-up of female South African artists who put their collective stamp on a sequence of emotionally charged songs which tell intriguing African stories. The powerhouse cast includes Vicky Vilakazi, Londiwe Mthembu, Silindile Ntini, Momasonto Khumalo, Amo Chidi, Aveline Twala, Nompumelelo Nhlapho, Mulalo Mudau, Lucia Gumede and Mercy Meruti. Also on the festival roster is a stand-up extravangaza in the Opera on 30 July entitled Comedy Fever. This features Krijay Govender, Celeste Ntuli, Jailoshini Naidoo, Ben Voss, Felix Hlophe and DJ Cindo. Also to be seen is From My Point of View, Steven Berkoff's powerfully contentious stage two hander, starring Clare Mortimer and Darren King in the Loft. And running in the Opera throughout the festival is Sunghursh, a spectacular dance drama featuring a cast of more than 40 dancers, presented in association with Nateshwar Dance Company. Directed by Smeetha Maharaj, the production celebrates the history of South Africa's Indian community. It combines narration, dance, music, and backdrops featuring projections of historic slides, as it takes the audience on a journey from the distant shores of India to Durban Bay. Other festival components are a popular Open Mic Dialogue and Poetry Session hosted by Gcina Mhlophe in the Drama on at 1pm and 3pm on Saturday 31 July (admission free), and an art exhibition in various media. SAWAF show booking is through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or Playhouse Box Office 031 369 9540. For further information, call the festival hotline on 031 369 9555. William Charlton-Perkins Copy Dog Editorial Enterprises CC 031 309 8738 082 335 6088 |
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