Star-studded show
FATHER COME HOME: TRIBUTE TO LITERARY GIANT Production forms part of the indigenous languages programming as part of the 45 years celebrations.
The Market Theatre has put together a star-studded cast to pay tribute to the literary giant E’skia Mphahlele. The novel Father Come Home will be performed in Sepedi from 9 to 28 February.
The production forms part of the indigenous languages programming as part of the 45 years celebrations in 2021, and funded by the department of sports, arts and culture incubation programme.
Father Come Home (Tate etla Gae) was translated by award-winning actress and an author Rami Chuene.
Tate etla Gae is adapted for stage and directed by Clive Mathibe. Mathibe has assembled an award-winning cast to tackle this exquisite production that reflects the experiences of countless black South African families.
Tau Maserumule leads the cast alongside Shoki Mmola, Marcus Mabusela, Josias Moleele and Kedibone Manyaka, who will take on the mammoth roles of delivering this marvellous piece in Sepedi.
Mphahlele is a renowned author of two autobiographies, more than 30 short stories, two verse plays and a fair number of poems.
In a career spanning over 60 years, he received local and international awards – most notably his nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1968.
Mphahlele believed that the regeneration of African consciousness is essential to real African development and progress.
And his novel Father Come Home is presented through the protagonist, Maredi.
He portrays a boy’s struggle of growing up in a traditional village where manhood is defined by family or clan names and the cultural rites of passage.
Maredi grows an emotional and desperate need to define himself through knowing his father. Growing up without a father figure has a profound effect on boys that lasts into manhood.
Maserumule trained at the Market Theatre Laboratory and has landed some dynamic roles alongside South Africa’s finest talent. Mmola is popularly known for her role as Celia in the SABC 1 soapie Skeem Saam.
Moleele adds mature flair of both television and theatre accolades. Moleele wrote and directed award-winning production Call Us Crazy that played to sold-out houses at the Market Theatre and its success still lingers in the theatre’s walls today.
This formidable cast will draw diverse audiences creating a wider appeal for the show and bringing Pedi-speaking and language enthusiast to the theatre.
Father Come Home will premier on
Tuesday, 9 February. and run until
Sunday, 28 February.
Formidable cast will draw diverse audiences