18th Time of the Writer Starts Tonight

A select group of writers from South Africa and Africa will gather together for a week of thought-provoking literary dialogue and exchange of ideas at the 18th Time of the Writer.

Futhi Ntshingila - One of the Writers Attending The Festival

The festival takes place in Durban between 16 and 21 March.
The theme for this years festival is: 'Writing For Our Lives' calls attention to the constant struggle of writers in speaking truth.

Globally writers are having to battle censorship.
Audiences can expect to engage with the writers during the week.
Evening readings will take place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (Howard College Campus).

The lineup of writers:
NoViolet Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Carol Campbell, South Africa
Imraan Coovadia, South Africa
ZP Dala, South Africa
Ousmane Diara, Mali
Dilman Dila, Uganda
Jacob Dlamini, South Africa
Ekow Duker, South Africa
Craig Higginson, South Africa
Mandla Langa, South Africa
Thando Mgqolozona, South Africa
Kirsten Miller, South Africa
M.J. Mngadi, South Africa
Nthikeng Mohele, South Africa
Given Mukwevho, South Africa
Futhi Ntshingila, South Africa
Sue Nyathi, Zimbabwe
Charlotte Otter, South Africa
Margaret Von Klemperer, South Africa
Mzilikazi wa Afrika, South Africa


Tickets: R25 for evening sessions, R10 for students on presentation of student card.
Workshops, seminars and book launches: Free
Book through Computicket
Tel: 0861 915 8000 or online at online.computicket.com or at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 6pm.


For more info contact Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN.
Tel: 031-260-2506 or Email: info@cca-ukzn.co.za
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TimeoftheWriter


This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton

The Musho Festival, Free Workshops and more

This week we have news of the puppet workshop, news from Musho and news
about a workshop you should attend if you plan on going to the Fringe at the Grahamstown
Festival 2013.



Puppetry Master Class
Musho! Theatre Festival of One and Two hander theatre
Monday 21 January from 9.00-12.00.
One of the highlights of the eighth Musho! International Theatre Festival of One and Two Person Theatre hosted by The Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) in KZN at the Catalina Theatre in Durban from 16 – 20 January 2013 is a morning master-class on puppetry. 

A master class on puppetry and puppet techniques of the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Theatre will be conducted by Nieke Lombard on Monday 21 January from 9.00-12.00.  Attendance is free, but bookings are essential.  

For details about the master-class, please contact Mandisa on 031-2014750. It is open to theatre practioners aged 16 upwards. Venue details etc to be confirmed upon booking.

Nieke Lombard has written and performs in Elnora & Nirvana which comes to Musho! on Sunday 20 January at 4pm. The production, directed by Stephanie Brink is about Nirvana who is Elnora's spirit who spends her days with Elnora, reminiscing on the past.  Elnora's inner child makes an appearance as she comes to grips with her life.  Elnora is brought to life through the delightful techniques of the acclaimed Handspring Puppet Company. It is suitable for ages13+ and is 45 minutes long.


Two plays from Zimbabwe for Musho! Theatre Festival of One and Two hander theatre
Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf Durban

Wednesday 16 - Sunday 20 January 2013
 Two productions are travelling from Zimbabwe to be part of the eighth Musho! International Theatre Festival of One and Two Person Theatre, hosted by The Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) in KZN at the Catalina Theatre in Durban from 16 – 20 January 2013 featuring virtually 20 productions over six days, all celebrating the art of the one and two-performer plays.

The two productions from Zimbabwe share insights into the challenges of contemporary life in Zimbabwe and grapple with some pertinent socio-political and cultural issues. The productions have been given tour support from Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

First up is Allegations. What does ‘national healing’ really mean to a white farmer and a black rural dweller?  Is it possible to just let sleeping dogs lie?  Allegations examines Zimbabwe’s brutal past and present, and is a true story of hope, fear and frustration in the country today. 

It was sold out at when it toured to the Edinburgh Festival.  It is produced by Almasi Collaborative Arts (Zimbabwe); written by Mandisi Gobodi, directed by Patience Tawengwa and performed by Dan Hargrove and Everson Ndlovu. It will be staged on Saturday 19 January at 6pm. It is a drama; suitable for 16+ ages and runs at 60 minutes.

Half empty / Half full is the final production at the festival this year. Two political leaders from highly contesting factions crumble when they face a public uprising. Problems they failed to solve and encounters and alliances they have faced and forged, which form their political history, good and bad, are narrated through this satire on contemporary Zimbabwean politics. 

Produced by Savannah Trust (Zimbabwe) Created by Tafadzwa Hananda and Teddy Mangawa, written by Leonard Matsa, directed by Daniel Maposa with assistance from Lloyd Nyikadzino and performed by Tafadzwa Hananda and Teddy Mangawa. It will be staged on 
Sunday 20 January at 6pm. It is a comedy / satire and is suitable for ages 13+. It runs at 60 minutes.

The Musho Festival runs from Wednesday 16 - Sunday 20 January 2013, at the Catalina Theatre on Wilson's Wharf in Durban. For more details about the festival, you can visit the website on www.mushofestival.co.za or email kzn@pansa.org.za. For bookings, show times and details contact the Catalina Theatre on 031-3056889 or visit www.catalinatheatre.co.za/musho-festival 

All shows R 50 per ticket 
PANSA paid-members R 30
OAPS, students and children under 12 R 30 
Special all-day ticket on Saturday / Sunday - R 100 per day

Twist / Fringe tickets - pay-what-you can 
Children’s show:  R 30 for kids, R 50 for adults 


Attend this workshop if you plan on going to perform at the Fringe at Grahamstown 2013.

As part of the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA)'s commitment to the support and development of performing artists, and to enhancing professionalism in the industry, we are hosting a free ARTS SAVVY workshop on Monday 14 January 2013. 

The workshop is aimed at those groups or performers who are planning to mount productions on the fringe at the 2013 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.      
The workshop, which will be facilitated by Emma Durden and Gisele Turner, will focus on the following:

•What to expect from Grahamstown
•Completing the online forms for the festival fringe
•Getting the most out of your festival fringe booklet space by writing a brilliant blurb

The workshop will be hosted at the PANSA offices at 76 Clark Road, Glenwood, Durban from 10am until 12pm on Monday 14 January.
Booking is essential, and interested parties should email Mandisa before Friday 11 January at 4pm, onkzn@pansa.org.za or phone 031-2014750.

(Source - Pansa)