Mike van Graan's RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS Next in Artscape's Spring Drama Season

Mike van Graan's RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS, the penultimate production in Artscape's 2014 Spring Drama Season, is a hard-hitting satire that genuflects to the South African classic WOZA ALBERT!, in which Mbongeni Ngema, Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon crafted a tale in which Jesus returns to South Africa during the apartheid era. In RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS, the Council of Ancestors decides to send a two-person delegation - Steve Biko and Neil Aggett - back to South Africa during its twentieth year of democracy to see if the sacrifices of those who were killed in the struggle against apartheid had been worth it. Biko and Aggett travel through the country, having a variety of encounters with living and inanimate objects along their way to Nkandla, where the major celebration of the benefits of democracy will take place.

Two young actors, Mandisi Sindo and Siya Sikawuti, play several characters in this piece that is directed by Mdu Kweyama who won acclaim for his direction of a version of Van Graan's BROTHERS IN BLOOD as a dance-drama piece. Set and costumes are designed by Francois Knoetze and lighting is designed by Kobus Rossouw.

The Artscape Spring Drama Season forms part of Artscape's New Writing Programme, which is devoted to the professional writing and production of new South African plays. The programme receives more than 50 unsolicited scripts per year from playwrights writing in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. Once a play has been identified as having promise, the playwright works with an editor and director to undertake rewrites, after which the play may then be given a showcase performance or a performed reading. If well received, it is then considered for a full production.

The line up for the 2014 Spring Drama Season boasts stimulating and varied productions from across the country, providing a platform for new local talent to exhibit their work alongside some of the most esteemed theatre makers in the industry. This year's programme began with THE GARAGE SALE, followed by the showcase performance of INGUBO EMHLOPHE, and the double bill of CHOMI and UNDONE. The second showcase performance, Thoko Ntshinga's adaptation of DV Thom's MDITHUNGILE SELANI closes the season and forms part of the newly introduced Artscape isiXhosa Classics programme.

RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS will run from 6 - 15 November at the Artscape Arena Theatre. Bookings are through Computicket.

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