By Vilia Dube Ululations and praise accompany an unending applause from a full house at Rhodes Drama Theatre as Gregory Maqoma takes his final bow – tears well in his eyes. Taking place on the same stage as his first performance as a 2002 Standard Bank Young Artist, it is a profound and fitting moment for the artist, who has announced his retirement from performance. In Exit/Exist, with its integration of spirited live music, visuals, a guitarist and gifted singers, the renowned choreographer gives his all. For those present, it is more than a performance, it is a life changing…
Author: Cue 2023
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By Ruvesen Naidoo ‘Now tell me, what will you ask Morena when he comes to you?’ It’s a line echoed throughout Woza Albert!, the extraordinary piece of theatre that’s captivated audiences with its thought-provoking narrative, exceptional performances, and profound exploration of socio-political issues since 1981. Set during apartheid-era South Africa, Woza Albert! follows the story of two South African Black men waiting for a miracle. The talented two man cast, Thulani Mtsweni and Hamilton Dhlamini, each deliver their performances of a variety of characters with vast emotional range and marked skill. The play employs poetic use of cutting satire to…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Ominous music greets the audience as they enter the Amazwi Auditorium. The stage contains a table set for two comprising wine glasses, a champagne bottle and a couch on one side of the stage. The lights start to dim as the audience are finally seated and wait in anticipation for the dark comedy Butlers And Bachelorettes. The play is based on the competitive world of the television programme, Bachelorette, in which the cast are contestants. In this live-streamed series lurks something sinister as the audience gets to choose which contestant lives and which one dies. This startling…
By Thapelo Matlala A Tswana, a Tsonga, and a drunk walk into a hostel. The possibilities are endless. Over the course of Amagrootman, we are introduced to these three men in greater detail, learning about the circumstances and turns of events that have made them who they are today. There is Jozi – known for his way with women, spontaneous religious conversions, and a diabetes diagnosis that greeted him with ‘manhood’ complications. Then there’s Murder who’s a sangoma and a prophet. Finally, we have our drunkard Mdavaso. He loves alcohol with his mind, body and soul. Although he was always…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Excited voices and energetic little footsteps animate the Amazwi Activity Room as parents converse amongst themselves, waiting to take their kids to How To Become A Cool Unicorn. Through the use of 3D scanning and virtual reality (VR), Swiss artist Simon Senn, offers audiences the opportunity to bring their digital clones to life. Senn introduces the different devices littered across the room, showcasing each as he explains their functions. Senn is best known for his work with video and performance which explores the effects of technology on human relationships. Although Senn struggles to hold their attention at…
By Sandile Dudu Saki Seven women sit in a prison, and are forced to confront their demons. Although this sounds like an episode of Orange is the New Black, it is the story of Womandla – inspired by true events. The piece is written and directed by Palesa Mphafi who is president of Drama Queens; a movement opening up spaces for women in the arts. Under Mphafi’s training, and the mentorship of Kholofelo Kola (Bra-Skroef), the cast explores the different experiences of black women in South Africa. Within the guarded prison walls, the women shine a light on teenage pregnancy,…
By Arno Cornelissen The lights dim. Her eyes are wide in the blinding stage lights and looking out at what it is she imagines in front of her. Sophie Joans is the name on everyone’s lips this Festival. Following the hugely successful debut of her solo show Île at the 2022 Festival, Joans is back at this year’s NAF with Dog Rose, Play Things, Raunchy Renditions, and Île, which is back on the Fringe. The theatre-maker, producer, comedian and storyteller is also set to perform her solo work at the Edinburgh Festival in August this year. Naturally, Cue reached out…
By David Mann It’s all wires and screens down in the Monument’s basement. Simon Senn sits before us, unassuming in sneakers, jeans and a hoodie, while Tammara Leites joins from Switzerland via video call. dSimon lurks somewhere in the machine. A digital clone of Senn, dSimon has been crafted out of his personal data (15,000 emails save for the one he made sure to delete). The digitised Senn is a project borne from Leites and Senn’s experiments with Artificial Intelligence (AI). dSimon uses the AI software driver developed by OpenAI (an Elon Musk venture) that generates responsive texts based on…
By Keren Banza The pepper spray in my pocket is a reminder of how we continue to fail women. Of how we meander through life with the constant scent of fear as a company. Text Me When You Arrive is a potent piece on surviving as a woman in South Africa. The production, directed by Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi, is written and performed by Aaliyah Matintela, Thulisile Nduvane and Sibahle Mangena. Framed through the lens of a Youtube channel, these three ladies advise women on ‘rules’ to help navigate the impossible mission of “not getting raped and killed”. These ‘rules’ have been…
By Arno Cornelissen The audience begins to clap, one or two rising, myself included. I think most of the audience is still stunned. It is hard to clap, hard to stand – difficult to process what you’ve just seen. My brain swims through my lineage – my position in the world – my father’s father, my father. We share the wrongdoings, committed and passed down, quietly swept under the rug – buried deep inside. Droomwerk is a multilingual performance, performed predominantly in Afrikaans. The script, written by poet, playwright, translator and editor Pieter Odendaal, holds an immaculate story – you…