Celebration of women’s march

THULI Zuma’s stage production, I Took a Stand, is a dramatic staging of the stories of women who were affected by, or participated in, the 1956 Women’s March to Parliament, the 60th anniversary of which is being commemorated this year.

“These priceless stories will be dramatised on The Playhouse Company’s magnificent Opera theatre stage, interspersed with songs of freedom performed by the Clermont Choir and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra,” she explains.

The production, to be staged at noon on Saturday, is written by Uzalo performance coach Zuma, and directed by Edmund Mhlongo.

At the end of the performance, stalwarts who had a major impact on the march will engage in dialogue in front of the audience, who will be invited to participate in the discussion.

Zuma, who studied for a BA in live performance at AFDA in Cape Town, and also did extensive actor’s training at the William Esper Studio, says she wanted the piece to capture the voice of, and celebrate, the women who took part in the march.

“They were young women then, with nothing but their ideals. It is a privilege to listen to their experience of apartheid South Africa.

After 15 years in exile, she was happy to come back to South Africa, only to find that it was not what she thought it would be, and that life was hard even for those who fought for the liberation of the country.

This sensitive story – written and directed by Xolani Dlongolo and performed by Kholeka Madulini – is told through powerful monologues, flashbacks and music.

August 17 will see the production Between Labour and Prayer taking to the Playhouse stage.

Written by Simo Mpapa Mjola and directed by Khutjo Green, this production takes a look at the stories of enslaved, objectified and mutilated women who work on a corn farm.

Another popular festival pick, Thabitha (My African Princess), has been scheduled for staging at The Playhouse on August 19.

Written and directed by Thandanani UNgonyama Qwabe, the production chronicles the story of a young woman giving her opinions on what women need to be.

For any further information about any of these shows or workshops or to book, phone Dawn at 031 369 9407.

Tickets are also available at the Playhouse box office, the phone number for which is 031 369 9596/9540.