Artscape Showcase Season at the 2016 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown

Artscape Theatre will be showcasing six productions at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. In association with The National Arts Festival, four productions will be presented and staged on the National Lottery Fringe, and two will receive support on the Main Stage at the Festival from 30 June to 10 July.

HENRIETTA WITH LOVE is Peter Voges's debut as a playwright at the age of 79, starring Lee-Ann van Rooi under the direction of Sandra Temmingh. Wife to Charlie, mother to Mercia, sister to Rosie, friend to Freda and neighbour to big Mrs Castens, Henrietta speaks of her life with love. She shares her traditions, and explores the meaning of things and the troubles of the mind: ginger squares, how Protea Village became Bishopscourt, nerve pills, the war in North Africa, her favourite cerise pill box hat with matching petals - and the one day that changed everything. Performances of the 75-minute production are at the Gymnasium from 30 June - 6 July at 16:00 and the production carries an age restriction of 12 years. Bookings are through the National Arts Festival website.

The second production is MORWA - THE RISING SON, which was the winner of a Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award in 2015. A powerful solo theatre piece written and performed by the young Botswanan actor, Tefo Paya, MORWA - THE RISING SON is directed by Warren Nebe, with music by Johannesburg-based African percussionist, Volley Nchabeleng. The play follows the story of Morwa, a young Motswana man and his journey of discovering what it means to be a man. The play is based on personal narrative, and seeks to evoke dialogue and a better understanding of the challenges faced by young men in Africa. Through an individual's personal story, the play intimately explores issues related masculine identity. The 55-minute production, which carries an age restriction of 14, runs at the Gymnasium from 3 - 9 July at 14:00, with tickets available through the National Arts Festival website.

UTYALA LA MAWELE is an acclaimed isiXhosa novel by Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi. Adapted by Thando Doni and created by the performing company, the story is set in the time of the historical King Hintsa kaKhawuta, and concerns a dispute between the fictional twins Wele and Babini over their deceased father's estate. This is resolved via a traditional Xhosa legal trial with Xhosa traditions being practised. Performances of UTYALA LA MAWELE are at the City Hall from 4 - 9 July. Parental guidance is recommended for the 90-minute production, which is booking through the National Arts Festival website.

Directed by Sandra Temmingh, and starring Daniel Richards and Gantane Kusch, DIE GLAS ENNIE DRAAD is based on a true story. The production follows a socially unhinged gang leader after he survives an assassination attempt. This is an on-stage demonstration of how communities are reconstructed and the healing processes which can be achieved through discourse. Tickets for the 5 - 9 July run of the show at the Gymnasium can be booked on the National Arts Festival website. The 70-minute production carries an age restriction of 14 years.

SOLD!, the work created by Themba Mbuli, the winner of the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance, is a theatrical reincarnation of the four women whose skulls were part of the 20 skulls of Herero and Nama people that were returned to Namibia. These four women embark on a journey to rediscover and uncover unnamed women in African history and in present times, interrogating the state of how women are perceived in Africa today. Performances are at Alec Mullins from 3 - 5 July, with a moderated post-performance discussion with the choreographer and dancers following the first show. The hour-long production carries an age restriction of 13 years, with bookings through the National Arts Festival website.

The National Arts Festival in association with The Artscape Theatre Centre presents the South African premiere of OOMASISULU. Performed by Thembi Mtshali and based on the life and times of Albertina Sisulu, the play explores the basic concept of political activism, what gives birth to such an undertaking and how an individual, who may not initially regard herself as a militant, ends up being one. The play opens with Albertina who supports her family by working as a nurse, while her husband, Walter, works as an activist. When the government passes the Bantu Education Act, she finds herself thrown into the fray. Performances of the 90-minute production are at the Rhodes Box Theatre from 30 June - 2 July, with a moderated post-performance discussion with the director and cast after the first performance. Carrying an age restriction of 14 years, the production is booking through the National Arts Festival website.

Marlene le Roux, Artscape's Chief Executive Officer, comments on the role of the National Arts Festival:

With The National Arts Festival being the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent, Artscape continually strives towards remaining connected to the greater Arts community. This festival is the perfect platform for many new works and upcoming artists during which to showcase their works and use the festival as a spring board, the festival having served as an excellent measuring stick over the years.

Mandla Mbothwe, Artscape's Creative Manager reflects on Artscape's participation in the National Arts Festival this year:

Once again, as Artscape, we are thrilled in bringing you our creative and critical reflection of our society through these multiple voices and diverse theatre productions. Following our trend of success in our previous years, Artscape remains artistically truthful to the work of high art and signature that celebrate South African and African history and its storytelling aesthetics.

For up-to-date feeds of the Artscape Showcase Season at the National Arts Festival, follow the Artscape Theatre or the National Arts Festival on Twitter. For bookings, queries and assistance visit the National Arts Festival website. Tickets can be collected at the
Monument Box Office collections counter.

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