NDITHUNGILE SELANI Closes the 10th Spring Drama Season at Artscape

The 2014 Artscape Spring Drama Season has once again presented stimulating and varied productions from across the country, designed to entertain audiences and provide a platform to exhibit local talent from new, young and up-and-coming theatre-makers to some of the most esteemed in the industry. The second and final showcase that completes the Spring Drama Season is NDITHUNGILE SELANI written by DV Thom and adapted for the theatre by Thoko Ntshinga.

NDITHUNGILE SELANI is part of a new project within the Artscape New Writing Programme entitled "isiXhosa Classics". It is the second showcase production and addresses the issue of customs. If they were explained properly, people would engage comfortably and follow customs without doubt, but when a young woman is abused in the name of customs, people want to do away with them. Women want to identify the abuse and shame those who lie in the process. The production is performed in isiXhosa and is directed by Thando Doni and stars Chuma Sopotela, Mhimhi Mabona, Bongeka Qhanga, Zanele "Azuza" Radu, Thumeka Mzayiya and Babalwa Zimbini Makwetu.

The Spring Drama Season forms part of the Artscape's annual New Writing Programme that is devoted to the professional writing and production of new South African plays. The programme typically 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 be given a showcase performance or a performed reading, which if successful, is considered for a full production. Four productions emerged from the 2014 Artscape New Writing Programme, namely THE GARAGE SALE by Rafiek Mammon, CHOMI by Pfarelo Nemakonde, UNDONE by Wessel Pretorius and RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS by Mike van Graan. All have been exceptionally well received, garnering acclaim, full houses and standing ovations. The first showcase production was INGUBO EMHLOPHE.

NDITHUNGILE SELANI will be presented as a staged play reading, entirely in isiXhosa, on 27 November at 7:30pm and on 28 November at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets cost from R40 to R90 at the door on the evening or through Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 0214217695. Special discounts are available for block bookings of 10 or more, pensioners, students and scholars aged 16 to 18.