Theoretically, South Africa’s theatres are allowed to open again. But given the logistical and financial complications that reopening under current circumstances would bring (not to mention the heavy responsibility of preventing the spread of the Coronavirus among theatre goers and theatre makers alike), many - if not most - stages will remain “dark” for some time to come.
Happily, unless you’ve been living under the proverbial rock for the last few months, you’ll know that there are plenty of opportunities to see South Africa’s performing artists exercising their craft for online audiences. What you might not know is that this week brings two South African Shakespeare productions into the digital limelight!
In 2019 ... a lifetime ago, when the world was young - that is, um, last year ... director Greg Homann put together a crackerjack cast to workshop a concept treatment for a production of Twelfth Night. With support from the Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa and the Market Theatre Laboratory, this team rehearsed and filmed a selection of scenes, which have now been released online. We at Shakespeare ZA can’t wait to see a full version on stage! For now, you can get a taste of the production here:
Directed and designed by Greg Homann; starring David Dennis, MoMo Matsunyane, Esmeralda Bihl, Billy Langa, Conrad Kemp, Phillip Dikotla and William Harding; lighting design by Hlomohang “Spider” Mothetho.
Each year, as South Africa’s winter solstice passes and June blurs with July, arts aficionados turn their attention to Makhanda for the National Arts Festival. This remains true even in 2020’s bleak midwinter - with one slight difference. The Virtual National Arts Festival runs from 25 June to 5 July and boasts a rich programme, including Third World Bunfight’s Macbeth.
This adaptation of Verdi’s opera toured globally (to over 30 cities) after opening in 2014, but few South Africans have had the chance to see it. Now, wherever you are, you can watch it as part of the Festival! Buy tickets here.
Directed and designed by Brett Bailey; music adapted by Fabrizio Cassol; Premil Petrovic conducts the No Borders Orchestra; Lady Macbeth is sung by Nobulumko Mngxekeza, Macbeth by Owen Metsileng and Banquo by Otto Maidi.