The Epicene Butcher and other stories for consenting adults -Friday 18 January, 6pm
Produced by Daddy’s Little Secret (Johannesburg) Written by Gwydion Beynon, directed by John Trengove and illustrated and performed by Jemma Kahn, with assistance from Klara Van Wyk and Carlos Amato
The ancient Japanese storytelling art of Kamishibai (paper-play) is given a profane, hilarious and utterly original revival as Kahn performs seven eclectic stories that take in such divergent themes as heaven and hell, pornography, gothic tragedy and the dream life of cats. “Nothing short of perfect” Artslink. (Storytelling; ages 16+; 50 minutes)
Hambre del Alma - Friday 18 January, 8pm
Produced by Masidlaale Productions. Created and performed by Tristan Jacobs and directed by Andrew Buckland
“Hambre del Alma” is a solo mask performance about the Durban-born, Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. Hilarious in its wordlessness, creative and sad, the play underlines the beauty of adults playing pretend. Award winning Tristan Jacobs returns to Durban for his second Musho! Show. (Physical Theatre/ Mask; All ages; 45 minutes)
Allegations - Saturday 19 January, 6pm
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. Sold out at Edinburgh Festival – don’t miss it! (Drama; 16+; ages 60 minutes)
The Spinster - Saturday 19 January, 8pm
Written and performed by Kyla Davis and directed by James Cairns
Come in. Sit down. Don't be boring. The Spinster has some stories for you. She's mad and wild and outrageously rude but, if you promise not to interrupt, she'll probably let you stay for a drink. Or seven. Drawing inspiration from the political satire of Franca Rame, Lecoq's 'Buffoon' and Jungian female archetypes, 'The Spinster' is a rowdy new play. (Comedy; ages 16+; 45 minutes)
Brothers - Sunday 20 January, 2pm
Produced by Umsindo Productions (Durban). Written by Bongumusa Shabalala, Musawenkosi Shabalala and Jerry Pooe, and directed and performed by identical twins Bongumusa and Musawenkosi Shabalala
Seen through the eyes of twin boys, the story takes us through their happiness, suffering and pain. They question why they were born together but don’t die together. Faced with impossible odds, each one of them searches for his own answer. (Drama; ages 13+; 60 minutes)
Elnora & Nirvana - Sunday 20 January, 4pm
Written and performed by Nieke Lombard and directed by Stephanie Brink
Nirvana 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. (Object Theatre; ages 13+; 45 minutes)
Half empty/Half full - Sunday 20 January, 6pm
Produced by Savannah Trust (Zimbabwe) with tour support from Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). 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
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. (Comedy; ages 13+; 60 minutes)
MUSHO CHILDREN’S THEATRE PROGRAMME
Fishy Flippers - Saturday 19 January, 10 am
A Creative Beans and Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA) collaboration. Created and performed by Annabel Morgan and Nadia Maria Woodward. Assistant director: Jamie McLaren Lachman.
An interactive, spontaneous and playful storytelling show, about a little boy who finds a lost penguin on his doorstep. Come and explore the shores of your imagination as they set off on an adventure in search of home, only to find it within each other. A story of an unusual and delightful friendship, told by two (very silly) clowns. (Children’s theatre; all ages; 60 minutes)
MUSHO! WITH A TWIST
Save my soul - Saturday 19 January, 12 pm
Created by Siyakha Performing Artists with mentor Themba Mkhoma
A death-row prisoner, known around the prison for his pathological silence, is approached by a nun who visits him in prison. While the nun aims to save the soul of this supposedly violent prisoner before his execution, he finally talks, and his sad story unfolds before her. (Drama; 13+, 40 minutes)
Fikile - Saturday 19 January, 1 pm
Created by Emuhle All Artists with mentor Neil Coppen
A recent graduate returns home to honour a marriage proposal made by her sweetheart several years ago. We follow her journey home, where she is confronted by a series of choices which will shape her future. She must learn to navigate the tricky terrain of traditional values, family affairs, past loves and secrets that are re-awoken with her arrival back into the community. (Drama; all ages, 40 minutes)
MUSHO! NEW VOICES PROGRAMME
Looking into the Abyss - Saturday 19 January, 2 pm
Produced by nu-Breed Productions. Written and directed by Sabelo Ndlovu and Menzi Mkhwane and performed by Thobani Mbhele. Mentored by Giselle Turner.
A riveting story about the mysterious death of a young girl from the township of uMlazi. As more light is shed onto the darkening patches of her unexplainable death, the darkness of the people surrounding the true events of what happened to her is slowly is released. (Drama; All ages, 45 minutes)
Behind the Curtain of Justice - Saturday 19 January, 3 pm
Written and directed by Radwinn Paul van Wyk, performed by Musa Ntuli and Monde Tshazi. Mentored by Christa Biyela.
A middle aged detective gets a surprise visit from an old high school friend who is also an undercover detective. Peppered with moments of light comedy and sarcasm, the audience is kept in suspense by the gradual unmasking of the lives of these two characters. (Drama; ages 16+, 45 minutes)
Race Trouble - Saturday 19 January, 4 pm
Written and directed by Devaksha Moodley and performed by Kamini Govender and Christopher Ndabenhle Tobo. Mentored by Rowin Moonsamy.
A poignant, sometimes humorous, and sincere story about two young South Africans whose race, family, community, and the ways in which they have been conditioned by these things are explored and confronted, however uncomfortable it may be to deal with. (Drama; ages 13+, 45 minutes)
Mob Feel - Saturday 19 January, 5 pm
Written and directed by Kline Smith and performed by Mpilo Nzimande and T.Q. Zondi. Mentored by Peter Mitchell.
Evocative, vivid and poetic language and imagery is used to articulate the detrimental effects of mob mentalities and township violence, and the dangers of losing one’s sense of individual feeling and responsibility when caught up in a mob feeling. (Drama/Physical Theatre; All ages, 45 minutes)
Ticket details:
All shows R 50 per ticket / Students, OAPS and children under 12 - R 30
PANSA paid-members special price - R 30
Special all-day ticket on Saturday / Sunday - R 100 per day.
Tickets for Musho! with a Twist and the New Voices shows are on a Pay-What-You-Can basis
All Musho Festival performances are at the Catalina Theatre: Contact 031-3056889
(Source - Catalina Theatre)
Author and Public Speaker Linda Smith shared this article with us:
The times they are a changin’
The end of the Mayan Calendar signifies the ending of an era and the ushering in of higher ways of living and being; an era of peace will reign on Earth.
In changing times the boat is rocked. This can be challenging for those who cling to the old ways or continue with systems that no longer serve the world.
Those who have orchestrated evil on others are due for their comeuppances. As the saying goes – ‘what goes around comes around’. Those who have lived off the backs of others will soon find themselves holding the begging bowel. The unscrupulous will be brought to book and many a parasite will topple from their perch.
The dictatorial ways have seen the best of their days. The endless rules being enforced on humanity will be overturned by those refusing to relinquish their rights.
Everywhere people are waking up; the pain of the cracking whip is opening their eyes. Humanity is becoming conscious and breaking from imposed systems of slavery.
There are no saviours, no heroes, and no icons. Life is a group effort. We are here to help and support each other.
The way forward is in hands and hearts of thinking people, those who do not allow themselves to be fooled, bought or manipulated; those who speak out and stand up for what is right.
Linda Smith
Author and Public Speaker
Durban
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