Multi award-winning Eastern Cape theatre company Ubom! is heralding some exciting new changes as it rolls out plans for the new year and beyond.
Multi award-winning Eastern Cape theatre company Ubom! is heralding some exciting new changes as it rolls out plans for the new year and beyond.
This year the organisation celebrates its tenth birthday, and with new faces and an exciting line-up of theatre work it looks set to move from strength to strength with its vital outreach work. Fresh artistic leadership has arrived with new resident director Rob Murray, who has won many accolades for his groundbreaking work in visual theatre.
Another sensational addition to Ubom! this year is actress Liezl de Kock, who has been Murray’s constant creative partner for the last few years. “It’s one helluva exciting team,” enthused the company's artistic director, Janet Buckland, winner of the 2008 Shoprite Checkers/SABC2 Women of the Year Award.
Buckland was also a founding member of Ubom! and has been the artistic director there since 2003. Over the years, Ubom! has scooped many prestigious awards, including a Gold Impumelelo Poverty Relief Award, two Standard Bank Ovation Awards (including one silver), and a Handspring Puppet Company Award.
A hot favourite on the festivals circuit, they have toured all over the country, presenting work from social interventions to environmental awareness, as well as collaborations with talent from across South Africa and their ongoing outreach work. Ubom! continues to develop disadvantaged audiences, community drama groups and professional artists throughout the Eastern Cape, serving local communities and quenching their thirst for access to theatre and the arts.
“Keep an eye out for exciting events, special occasions, and celebrations connected to the 'My heart beats Ubom!' campaign”, said Murray. “This is going be an exhilarating year of local theatre!”
For more information contact Sifiso Sikhakhane on s.sikhakhane@ru.ac.za or on 046 603 8966, or go to www.ubom.co.za.
