Sizwe Banzi is Dead is back on at the Baxter Theatre until 12 September 2015. The new cast is made up of Atandwa Kani and Mncedisi Shabangu.
The production is directed by theatre legend, Dr John Kani, who starred in the original production more than 40-years-ago and in the reprisal in 20O6.
Earlier this year, Size Banzi is Dead enjoyed a successful run in the U.S.A. It premiered at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg last year.
The production, set in the apartheid era, revolves around a man who moves from King Williams Town, to look for work in the bigger city, Port Elizabeth.Upon arriving there, he realizes that there are certain documentation that an individual need to have in his pass book in order to work in the area, such as a work seekers permit, lodges permit and the right to be there. The regulations was implemented by the apartheid system at the time.
When he arrives in Port Elizabeth, he realizes that he does not have his pass book in order and his work permit has expired. He is now in trouble. Thrilling decisions have to be made, as Sizwe faces temptation to take risks for a better life. The production also deals with issues such as identity.
During the apartheid era, the production written in 1972 and originally created by Kani,Winston Ntshona and Athol Fugard served as a voice for oppressed black people.
Q and A with the cast
Gabriel Macht, who plays the role of Harvey Specter in Suits came to watch you perform recently. What was the experience like?
We had no idea he was coming. We didn't even see him in the audience. I think if I had seen him, I would have been thinking ''That guy looks like Gabriel''. After the show, we were summoned. They were like someone wants to meet you downstairs, you probably know who he is. So, we get up there and I'm like ''oh my goodness, its Gabriel!'' He is just singing praises. He enjoyed a riveting performance. At a press conference recently, he spoke about how he went to see Sizwe Banzi Is Dead. Twitter was going crazy on my side. It's still so surreal.
Do you feel that because Dr John Kani is your father, you have to live in his shadow, or Do you feel free to be you?
Atandwa: He's my father. There is no pressure, the only pressure is on myself, to succeed and to do this great show. Be you, do you. Nobody else can do you.
What is it like to work with Dr John Kani?
Mncedisi: The reality is, it should be every South African actors dream. Because he's South Africa's biggest export. He is still alive. So, he's a resource centre and such an amazing craftsman. It's empowering. However, It's quite strenuous. We have to deal with great intensity, one moment can change an entire moment. It's tiring.
Please tell me about the creative process involved in putting the production together?
Once you know what you're talking about, it is easier to tell the story. We were told imagine it's you in the 1970's. The person who wrote the production sat with us in the room. We spoke about the reasons why it was written, how he felt when writing it. It's beautiful. A Cape Town-based director was saying how amazed he is at how the production has changed. The production still has the same effect, but is received with more humor. It says a lot about how young people's perceptions have changed. It's not another finger-pointing production.
The production was quite well-received in the U.S.A recently, please tell me more.
Sizwe Banzi is Dead is big in the U.S. A. The older generation who saw the original production in the 1970's came to see us. When we were visiting the U.S.A, oppression against black people was a big problem. People were crying in the audience.
Message to your supporters?
Thank you. Like art it is this infinite journey. There is no greater feeling than audience members applauding and standing up at the end of a show. We don't have supporters and fans, we have friends.
Tickets are available at computicket. The production starts at 7.30pm nightly. No latecomers are allowed.
The production is directed by theatre legend, Dr John Kani, who starred in the original production more than 40-years-ago and in the reprisal in 20O6.
Earlier this year, Size Banzi is Dead enjoyed a successful run in the U.S.A. It premiered at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg last year.
The production, set in the apartheid era, revolves around a man who moves from King Williams Town, to look for work in the bigger city, Port Elizabeth.Upon arriving there, he realizes that there are certain documentation that an individual need to have in his pass book in order to work in the area, such as a work seekers permit, lodges permit and the right to be there. The regulations was implemented by the apartheid system at the time.
When he arrives in Port Elizabeth, he realizes that he does not have his pass book in order and his work permit has expired. He is now in trouble. Thrilling decisions have to be made, as Sizwe faces temptation to take risks for a better life. The production also deals with issues such as identity.
During the apartheid era, the production written in 1972 and originally created by Kani,Winston Ntshona and Athol Fugard served as a voice for oppressed black people.
Q and A with the cast
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| From left: Mncedisi Shabangu, Atandwa Kani and I. |
Gabriel Macht, who plays the role of Harvey Specter in Suits came to watch you perform recently. What was the experience like?
We had no idea he was coming. We didn't even see him in the audience. I think if I had seen him, I would have been thinking ''That guy looks like Gabriel''. After the show, we were summoned. They were like someone wants to meet you downstairs, you probably know who he is. So, we get up there and I'm like ''oh my goodness, its Gabriel!'' He is just singing praises. He enjoyed a riveting performance. At a press conference recently, he spoke about how he went to see Sizwe Banzi Is Dead. Twitter was going crazy on my side. It's still so surreal.
Do you feel that because Dr John Kani is your father, you have to live in his shadow, or Do you feel free to be you?
Atandwa: He's my father. There is no pressure, the only pressure is on myself, to succeed and to do this great show. Be you, do you. Nobody else can do you.
What is it like to work with Dr John Kani?
Mncedisi: The reality is, it should be every South African actors dream. Because he's South Africa's biggest export. He is still alive. So, he's a resource centre and such an amazing craftsman. It's empowering. However, It's quite strenuous. We have to deal with great intensity, one moment can change an entire moment. It's tiring.
Please tell me about the creative process involved in putting the production together?
Once you know what you're talking about, it is easier to tell the story. We were told imagine it's you in the 1970's. The person who wrote the production sat with us in the room. We spoke about the reasons why it was written, how he felt when writing it. It's beautiful. A Cape Town-based director was saying how amazed he is at how the production has changed. The production still has the same effect, but is received with more humor. It says a lot about how young people's perceptions have changed. It's not another finger-pointing production.
The production was quite well-received in the U.S.A recently, please tell me more.
Sizwe Banzi is Dead is big in the U.S. A. The older generation who saw the original production in the 1970's came to see us. When we were visiting the U.S.A, oppression against black people was a big problem. People were crying in the audience.
Message to your supporters?
Thank you. Like art it is this infinite journey. There is no greater feeling than audience members applauding and standing up at the end of a show. We don't have supporters and fans, we have friends.
Tickets are available at computicket. The production starts at 7.30pm nightly. No latecomers are allowed.
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