SAND, an intimate play exploring hidden inner worlds, is hitting the stage for the first time at the National Arts Festival this year. It is the flagship production of Gauteng-based Abstr(ACT) Productions.
SAND, an intimate play exploring hidden inner worlds, is hitting the stage for the first time at the National Arts Festival this year. It is the flagship production of Gauteng-based Abstr(ACT) Productions.
This young collective showcases promising theatre artists eager to excel in their art: indeed, director Quintin Wils says they are "ready to take the South African theatre industry by storm"!
Wils describes SAND as “a laugh-with-a-tear production which speaks to the heart and soul”.
Written by Jannes Erasmus, Sand is about Mienke’s life (and history in modern South Africa), and we encounter her on a beach in Knysna at the age of 20.
As the sand slips through her fingers, she starts to share her story with the audience.
But right from the start of the play, something is clearly out of place. Perhaps if it wasn’t for the egotistical Jan Bouwer, things could’ve been different…
"It speaks to women and their empowerment… after having been through tough times," Wils explains.
"I wanted audiences to become and feel part of Mienke's life, almost as if they knew her," he continues. He hopes the audience – especially women – can empathise with and relate to her.
"SAND is special in it that it has a very intimate feel to it and that it speaks to every audience member individually," he says.
Starring Carina Nel (Generations) and Marco Spaumer (KykNET) as Mienke and Jan, SAND promises to be a "visual feast".
SAND is showing in the Library Hall today at 4pm and tomorrow at midday.
