Maitisong Festival
April 7, 2011 Maitisong Festival
Drama For Life will be participating at this years Maitisong Festival in Botswana showing four wonderful plays: Please come and watch: “Miss Margarida’s Way”, “Red Peter’s Way Out”, “The Mother of all Eating”, and “Woza Zimbo”!
Miss Margarida’s Way
by Roberto Athayde
Directed By Jessica Lejowa
Cast: Bongile Lecoge-Zulu
Written in the politically fraught Brazil of the 1970’s, Miss Margarida’s Way is a sharp commentary on the hypocrisy of power. It uncovers the pervasive abuse of power which unfortunately characterises contemporary politics in South Africa, Africa and globally. Set in a classroom whose ruler is the teacher, Miss Margarida, the play pokes at the decay of the pedagogical enterprise in our education systems. Miss Margarida suggests—through an undoubtedly schizophrenic performance—that there is a relationship between the power of authority and the powerlessness of the masses.
7th Moving Space 19:00 P50
8th No. 1 Opera House 19:00 P50
9th Moving Space 19:00 P50
Red Peter’s Way Out
Adapted and Directed by: Phala Ookeditse
Cast: Tony Bonani Miyambo
Based on Franz Kafka’s A Report To An Academy, Red Peter’s Way Out is focused on the complexities of identity in Southern Africa. The adaptation presents an opportunity for the audience to reflect on their own layered identities as co-created by society. Asked to make a report about his past life as an ape, Red Peter instead decides to make a report about his current life. In his report Red Peter contests that his historical identity cannot be held against him or define him as a being. He largely questions the notion of prejudging one’s identity based on physical outward appearance. Red Peter’s journey was ignited by finding a way out of a cage he was confined to after his capture. Has this ‘way out’ un-caged his identity? Red Peter’s Way Out has been chosen as the official WITS Production at the 2011 National Arts Festival.
7th Moving Space 19:00 P50
8th No. 1 Opera House 19:00 P50
9th Moving Space 19:00 P50
The Mother of all Eating
by Zakes Mda
Adapted and Directed by: Makhaola Ndebele
Cast: Tefo Omphile Paya
The Mother of All Eating is a one-man satire exploring an unfortunate culture of corruption called ‘eating’. This culture has become synonymous with corrupt state officials who enrich themselves through government deals and funds. The play centres around THE MAN; the principal secretary to a government minister. THE MAN is corrupt to the core, and has thoroughly enriched himself within the ranks of his government. He is the main figure involved in a recent government tender deal gone wrong. The deal comes to haunt him; causing his extravagant life to come to an abrupt end. Set in Lesotho in the 1980s; this timeless classic by Zakes Mda exposes the greed, the destructive mindsets, and tragic effects of government corruption.
7th Mogopong 19:00 P50
8th Moving Space 19:00 P50
9th No. 1 Opera House 19:00 P50
Woza Zimbo
Directed by : Warren Nebe Assisted by: Bhekilizwe Ndlovu
Adapted by: Bhekilizwe Ndlovu with Clayton Ndlovu
Cast: Cornet Mamabolo, Thembile Tshuma
As Zimbabweans wait for a solution to their problems, news spread that the Savior, ‘uMsindisi’ from a place called heaven is coming. Everyone gets excited as they begin to ponder what they would ask of him if he came to them. Zimbo, who has been through thick and thin finds himself face to face with the Savior in the end and implores him to do him the favor of raising his country’s departed liberation war heroes.
This play is adapted from the South African iconic play Woza Albert! Devised by Mtwa, Ngema and Simon.
7th Mogopong 19:00 P50
8th Moving Space 19:00 P50
9th No. 1 Opera House 19:00 P50
For more info on the Festival, check out their website: http://www.maitisong.org/