Mon 20 – Sat 25 October
Photo: Tyler Dolan www.tylerdolan.com
20 years on… theatre, dance, music and culture from the new South Africa
mac birmingham Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH • Box Office: 0121 446 3232 macbirmingham.co.uk macBirmingham @mac_birmingham
The Drum 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU • Box Office: 0121 333 2444 the-drum.org.uk TheDrumBirmingham @the_drum
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20 years on… theatre, dance, music and culture from the new South Africa In 2014, Afrovibes Festival marks 20 years of the new South Africa: 20 years since the ending of apartheid and the beginning of democracy. Award-winning artists bring us music, theatre, dance, photography and film, reflecting upon what it is to be part of 21st century South Africa. It’ll be thought-provoking, reflective, turbulent, energetic, exhilarating.
Photo: Tyler Dolan www.tylerdolan.com
And Afrovibes is so much more than just a show: at its heart there’s the Township Cafe, with free events, family workshops, debates, late-night music, pop-up performances, creative work by local artists – and enticing South African-themed food. Some of the local highlights are listed here, or visit our website for more. So drop by, hang out or take part, and belong – you’ll believe that you really are thousands of miles from home! ‘In 1994 a new nation was born. Since then, our artists have shown the world that South Africa has stories to tell: stories that speak to the collective memory of who we are, that speak of life in South Africa today – stories that link us to the world.’ James Ngcobo – Artistic Director, Afrovibes
Afrovibes 2014 is an event organised as part of the South African Season in the United Kingdom 2014 & 2015. Afrovibes originated in the Netherlands, where it is now in its eleventh edition. Produced in the UK by UK Arts International, the festival launched in Britain in 2010 where it is presented biennially. Between 13 October and 8 November, Afrovibes 2014 is visiting a total of 17 venues in the UK. In the Netherlands from 8 to 12 October this year Afrovibes can be seen in Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven and Rotterdam. More information at afrovibes.nl
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Native Rhythms present
Soil
featuring Buhle Mda, Ntsika Ngxanga and Phindo Ngxanga
Photo: Alda Taljaard of Inkhaus Graphic Designs
The
This a cappella vocal group from Soweto combines a stunning mix of township jazz, hip-hop, Afro-Pop and Afro-Soul. No instruments, no music lessons – just their own voices and local inspiration. The music is underpinned by great rhythmic vocal beat-boxing while the other two voices provide the ever-changing top lines. The award-winning, platinum-selling trio comes to Afrovibes 2014 direct from the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Afrovibes music nights are famed for their energy and great sounds – and this year will be no exception! The Soil launch the festival at mac with performances and collaborations from mac youth ensemble and local performance poets
“The threesome generate genuinely incredible music using only their voices. It’s a beautiful thing to witness” The List
When: Mon 20 October • 8.00pm Where: mac birmingham – Theatre Prices: £12 / £10 (concs) • Earlybird tickets: £10 / £8 Suitable for all ages. macbirmingham.co.uk
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Skierlik Presented by arrangement with Lentswe Arts Projects
Photo: Tsietsi Gamanyane
Written and performed by Phillip M. Dikotla
This award-winning play revisits the horror of a racially-motivated shooting spree that devastated the remote settlement of Skierlik in 2008. Thomas lost his wife and three month old daughter in the atrocity, and he ran: the burden of living alone in the family home was unbearable. But now he’s returning. Riding the long dirt road back to Skierlik, we experience what he will face, back home in the tiny blue shack that he knows so well… Winner of Best Production at the 2013 Zabalaza Theatre Festival Winner of the Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2013 National Arts Festival, Grahamstown
“I left the Baxter Theatre with my emotions shaken and stirred… I could smell the red dust while sitting in the dark of the theatre with the tears coursing down my cheeks.” What’s On in Capetown
When: Tue 21 October • 8.00pm Where: mac birmingham – Theatre Prices: £12 / £10 (concs) • Earlybird tickets: £10 / £8 Recommended age: 14+
TICKE
Artscape Theatre Centre presents
Rainbow
Written by Mike van Graan Directed by Lara Bye Photo: Ruphin Coudyzer
Scars
During the post-apartheid period of reconciliation, white middle class Ellen Robinson and her family adopted a three year old black child, Lindiwe. Now, fourteen years later, she’s at high school, coming to terms with her life in a changing South Africa. All seems well – until her older cousin seeks her out and forces her to recognise and confront her true heritage, resulting in a turbulent crisis of identity…
“Mike van Graan remains one of the country’s most brilliantly incisive playwrights with an ability to capture the essence of the South African psyche” Artlink South Africa
When: Wed 22 & Thu 23 October • 8.00pm Where: mac birmingham – Theatre Prices: £12 / £10 (concs) • Earlybird tickets: £10 / £8 Recommended age: 12+
ET OFFER Early bird tickets available until Sun 5
Biko’s Quest
The Steve Biko Foundation in association with Artscape Theatre Centre & Jazzart Dance Theatre presents
Photo: Jazzart Dance Theatre
Choreography by Jackie Manyaapelo, Ina Wichterich-Mogane and Mzo Gasa Directed by Mandla Mbothwe
Memory – Identity – History – Emotion: these are the cornerstones of Biko’s Quest. The life, death and legacy of the inspirational campaigner, murdered at the hands of the security police during the apartheid era in South Africa, give us this powerful large cast production. It takes the audience on a poignant and emotional journey through danced storytelling, often joyous, then dropping into the depths of tragedy. “It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die” Steve Biko.
“This one’s a winner … powerful, thoughtprovoking, moving and unforgettable” Cape Times
When: Thu 23 October • 7.30pm Where: The Drum – Main theatre Prices: £10.50 / £8.50 (concs) • Earlybird tickets: £8.50 / £6.50 Recommended age: 10+
Oct, 5pm
Mamela
Curious Monkey in association with Live Theatre, the Swallows Foundation UK & Isiseko Senkjonjane present
Photo: Jenny Dewar
Edited by Gez Casey and Ziphozake Hlobo Directed by Amy Golding
Mamela (‘Listen’) follows a group of remarkable young women from the Eastern Cape of South Africa: capturing the opinions, experiences and aspirations of those born towards the end of the Apartheid era, the “born-free” generation. A fusion of European and African theatre, this cutting edge, verbatim piece is moving personal testimony and storytelling, with traditional dances and songs complementing the spoken word. It’s a compelling, uplifting narrative for the 21st century.
“One leaves this production inspired… an unheralded gem” Cue Magazine
Premiered at the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown in July 2013, receiving a Standard Bank Ovation Award for Innovation and Artistic Excellence.
Recommended age: 10+. the-drum.org.uk TheDrumBirmingham
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M O OR VE E RL SH EA OW F… S
When: Fri 24 October • 7.30pm Where: The Drum – Main theatre Prices: £8.50 / £6.50 (concs) • Earlybird tickets: £7.50 / £5.50
Broken Borders Arts Project, ACE Dance & Music and Nelisiwe Xaba present
Photo: Uncles & Angels courtesy of the artists
Dark Cell / Mana / Uncles & Angels
Dark Cell, created and brilliantly performed by Themba Mbuli, uses the prison cell as a metaphor for mental imprisonment. “Prison is designed to break one’s spirit and destroy one’s resolve – all with the idea of stamping out that spark that makes each of us human and each of us who we are.” Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom The word Mana is used in over 24 languages: people who possess it become power makers, leaders, world changers. For this production by ACE Dance & Music, choreographer Vincent Mantsoe uses the idea of Mana to explore the visceral spirituality of African dance and shamanistic customs using contemporary dance, Afro-fusion, martial arts and the essence of flamenco and ballet. Nelisiwe Xaba’s Uncles & Angels uses breathtaking interactive dance and video by Mocke J van Veuren to explore questions of the manipulation of cultural heritage in a changing world. At the centre of the work is the colourful Reed Dance, which according to tradition celebrates and supports the continuing chastity of young girls. When: Fri 24 October • 8pm – Dark Cell + Mana Sat 25 October • 8pm – Dark Cell + Uncles & Angels Where: mac birmingham – Theatre Prices: £12 / £10 (concs) • Earlybird tickets: £10 / £8 Recommended age: 14+ (Dark Cell includes minimal male nudity. Uncles & Angels references the female genitalia).
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Rendition Productions present
Rhetorical
Photo: Ruphin Coudyzer
Written by Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom & Aubrey Sekhabi Directed by Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom
Thabo Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa in 1999. The play revisits some of Mbeki’s most famous speeches, laying bare his powers of persuasion: his often controversial nine years in high office are explored through intriguing, compelling and satirical insights from colourful youth leader Dada Mokone. Rhetorical also paints a vivid, bold picture of the state of South Africa today: not pretty, but real. Grootboom has been dubbed ‘The Township Tarantino’ for his incisive trilogy of Township Stories, Foreplay and Welcome to Rocksburg.
“A wonderful ensemble performance” Artlink.co.za
When: Sat 25 October • 7.30pm Where: The Drum – Main theatre Prices: £12.50 / £10.50 (concs) • Earlybird tickets: £10.50 / £8.50 Recommended age: 14+ the-drum.org.uk
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Photo: Sean Fitzpatric
The Township Cafe and Afrovibes Festival Fringe Welcome to the Township Cafe – the setting for food, drink, relaxation, music, chat and a great time – South African style! In Birmingham, local groups will come together at The Drum and mac even before Afrovibes arrives. Digbethbased Friction Arts will meet African diaspora communities in Brum to gather stories and gifts that will go into mac’s Township Café, and welcome in South African public realm artist Anthea Moys to help them spread the festival spirit far and wide. This Friction Arts project has been made possible with financial support from Birmingham City Council. Both cafes will host live entertainment every day featuring Birmingham’s best poets, dancers, musicians, artists and unsung heroes. Fringe events are being added to all the time: this is just a taster of our programme in Birmingham. Updates / full details are on The Drum and mac birmingham websites, or at afrovibesUK.com/diary. Late night comedy from Phillip M. Dikotla, the amazingly versatile writer / performer of Skierlik. Mon 20 Oct 10pm Free – Township Cafe, mac Cannon Hill Cafe: Afrovibes Special – new creative collaborations from 16 to 24 year old participants in mac’s Next Generation programme. Tue 21 Oct 6.30pm Free – Township Café, mac Rainbow Scars Post Show Discussion Wed 22 & Thu 23 Oct 9.30pm approx. Free – Township Café, mac Flash Mob dancers invade from all around the city, bringing their boundless energy to The Drum! Thu 23 Oct From 7pm Aston Black Sisters contribute powerful spoken word in performance at the Drum Cafe. Fri 24 Oct 7.30pm Birmingham Jazz present THE TOWNSHIP COMETS This amazing outfit play the searing, joyous music of extrovert South African township saxophonist Dudu Pukwana, who took the UK and European jazz scene by storm in the 70s & 80s. Fri 24 Oct 9pm £Adm tbc – Drum Cafe Afrovibes closing party Come celebrate with us and enjoy special guest performances from festival artists and more! Sat 25 Oct – The Drum. See the-drum.org.uk for more. Calling all singers! Afrovibes is inviting everyone who loves singing to make their own contribution to a unique event – by joining our GLOBAL CHOIR for the festival’s launch. The words of Nelson Mandela have been set to music for this one-off experience, and you can join in from anywhere. For more info, go to www.afrovibesUK.com/takepart. Crossing Cultural Borders Running alongside the main programme of Afrovibes events is a series of seminars, discussions and debates for arts professionals, focusing on the arts in the new South Africa. See www.afrovibesUK.com for details.
Artist Pass
New for this year: if you are a practising artist and interested in the special industry events Afrovibes offers, register with the Festival to receive your free ARTIST PASS. As well as invitations to events such as networking sessions, panel discussions, open mic nights etc., we’re offering some special ticket deals to Artist Pass holders. It’s simple (and free) to get: just email michaela@ukarts.com, putting ARTIST PASS in the subject header.
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Rehearsed readings of plays by Mike van Graan
Presented by Bilimankhwe International Theatre Mike van Graan is one of South Africa’s leading contemporary playwrights. His award-winning work explores the truth of life in today’s South Africa.
Brothers in Blood Directed by Amy Bonsall A moving drama about culture, truth and the devastating consequences of misunderstandings, set against Cape Town gang wars. Wed 22 Oct 6pm – 7.15pm Tickets £3 – Foyle Studio, mac
Elusive Spring Directed by Kate Stafford Another incisive play by Mike van Graan, Elusive Spring is a dark political thriller which throws the spotlight on a world of power, corruption and media manipulation. Thu 23 Oct 6pm – 7.15pm Tickets £3 – Foyle Studio, mac Plus Q&A sessions with members of the creative team after the readings.
Pop up South Africa Go on safari, hang out in the township or visit iconic SA sites with this fun interactive festival photography project. No need to book – just turn up. For dates check afrovibesUK.com/takepart
Africa Inspired by Tyler Dolan This South African photographer with a unique hyper-realistic style presents a group of studio shots manipulated digitally to create his final vision: ‘I wanted to create images that show the vibrant colours of Africa and beauty all in one: this series is the result of merging the two.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company, Baxter Theatre Centre and The Print Room present
Solomon and Marion
By Lara Foot
Afrovibes Patron, Dame Janet Suzman, is Marion and Khayalethu Anthony plays Solomon in this powerful story about two injured souls searching for redemption in a fragile, post-apartheid South Africa. When: 16 October to 1 November • 7.30pm Where: The REP – The STUDIO
Full details at birmingham-rep.co.uk
Film at The REP Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Afrovibes and Flatpack Film Festival present
Unogumbe (curtain-raiser for Solomon & Marion: play starts 7.45pm) (Mark Dornford-Taylor – 2013, 35 mins)
Documenting a performance in Xhosa of Britten’s Noye’s Fludde, by a South African opera company. Where: The REP – The STUDIO When: Friday 24 October 7pm
Come Back, Africa
A film and music event with special Afrovibes festival guests following Lionel Rogosin’s 1960 illegal verité portrait of Township life. Film: 85 mins. Overall: 2.5 hours incl. interval.
Where: The REP – The STUDIO When: Mon 27 Oct 7pm
Full details at birmingham-rep.co.uk afrovibesUK.com
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UK Arts International in association with Afrovibes Foundation Netherlands presents
Patron: Dame Janet Suzman WEEK COMMENCING
WEEK COMMENCING
• S tratford Circus, London E15 stratford-circus.com •T he Albany, London SE8 thealbany.org.uk •T aliesin Arts Centre, Swansea taliesinartscentre.co.uk
• mac & The Drum, Birmingham macbirmingham.co.uk the-drum.org.uk •C hapter, Cardiff chapter.org/afrovibes •T he Courtyard, Hereford courtyard.org.uk/afrovibes
WEEK COMMENCING
WEEK COMMENCING
• S outh Hill Park, Bracknell southhillpark.org.uk/afrovibes •T he Black-E & Unity Theatre, Liverpool theblack-e.co.uk unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk •C ontact, Manchester contactmcr.com/afrovibes •N ottingham Lakeside Arts lakesidearts.org.uk
•T he Dukes, Lancaster dukes-lancaster.org/afrovibes • L ive Theatre & Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne live.org.uk northernstage.co.uk • S ummerhall, Edinburgh summerhall.co.uk •C entre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow cca-glasgow.com
13 October
20 October
3 November
26 October
Freedom Tour * South Africa at 20: Theamm e, the five UK African film festivals
Alongside the live Afrovibes festival progr years of films at various locations, reflecting 20 are presenting a tour of South African Africa South in Film ur. filmto k/SA .org.u otion democracy: details at www.africa-in-m s to previously suppressed, and contribute gives a voice to those whose stories were films encompass the best of South Tour om Freed The . cracy demo g shaping this youn African cinema, past and present. and the Cambridge African Film Festival Eye (Bristol), Watch-Africa (Wales),
Photo: Jazzart Dance Theatre
*Africa in Motion (Scotland), Film Africa (London), Afrika
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