The
Market Theatre Johannesburg presents
The Suitcase
Newcastle Northern Stage
Thursday 14th - Saturday 16th
September 2017
Adapted
and Directed by James Ngcobo from a short story by Es’kia Mphahlele
Featuring
live music composed and written by Hugh Masekela
The Suitcase brings together a unique partnership of venues in
the North of England and the Market
Theatre Johannesburg, marking the internationally renowned theatre
company’s return to the UK after a five year
absence. This partnership, the first of its kind, enables international work to
be performed across five northern cities, sharing programming and strengthening
audience development. The tour has been made possible through National Lottery
Funding from Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring programme.
It’s
a story never more relevant to our time, exploring issues of identity,
migration, exile and celebration of the human spirit. The show will have its UK
premiere at Hull Truck Theatre (31
August–9 September) as part of Hull UK
City of Culture 2017’s Freedom season before touring to Newcastle (14-16 September), Derby (20-23 September), Lancaster (27-29 September) and Liverpool (4-8 October).
1950s
South Africa. A young newly married
couple leave their rural village and disapproving family for the city of Durban. Their goal: to return
home rich and free. But, alienated in the city, unemployed and poor, Timi
starts to lose his moral compass. Desperate to provide for his pregnant wife,
he steals a suitcase left on a bus not knowing what might be inside; an act
which brings frightening consequences, dramatic twists and unexpected turns.
Based
on a true story, The Suitcase has been nominated in the New Director
category in the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards for The Rosalie van der Gucht
Prize. Director James Ngcobo saw
enormous theatrical potential in this poignant and emotive story and so adapted
it for the stage. The production - evocative, visual and moving - encompasses
African storytelling and lyrical music at its very best.
The
Market Theatre Johannesburg, known internationally as ‘Theatre of the
Struggle’, challenged the apartheid regime and dared to stand up against social
injustice, acting as a vital and powerful voice for freedom and emancipation.
Its 21 international and over 300 South African theatre awards bear testament
to the courage and artistic quality of its work. Today, the Market Theatre
remains at the forefront of South African performance, actively encouraging new
productions to reach international stages.
The
decision to tour The Suitcase in the UK was inspired by Hull
Truck Theatre’s visit to South Africa in 2015. Hull Truck
Theatre Mark Babych (Artistic Director) and Jill Adamson (Director of
Engagement and Learning) visited as part of a group of delegates to
promote artistic exchange between the North East of England and the Eastern
Cape of South Africa, funded by the Swallow Foundation.
Playwright
Es’kia Mphahlele is among South Africa’s greatest writers,
thinkers and critics. Respected worldwide as a literary luminary, he has
published many short stories, essays and novels dealing with issues of race and
South Africa’s changing society.
Composer
Hugh Masekela is a legendary
Grammy Award-winning South African musician, best known for writing
anti-apartheid songs including Soweto Blues and Bring Him Back Home
(Nelson Mandela).
 |
| James Ngcobo |
Director
James Ngcobo became the
first black artistic director of Market Theatre Johannesburg in 2013, and
continues to enhance the theatre’s worldwide reputation for artistic greatness.
He has a passion for working with undiscovered actors, young designers and
artists to tell new South African stories.
Mark Babych, Artistic Director at Hull Truck
Theatre, says: ‘It’s
been a long-held ambition to work with the Market Theatre Johannesburg. As a young director,
they opened my eyes to the power of theatre as they battled with the human
tragedy of the apartheid years – inspired by the work of Athol Fugard, Barney
Simon and the breath-taking power of performers like John Kani, Winston
Ntshona, Percy Mtewa and Mbongeni Ngema. The Market Theatre still holds a
special place in my heart. It’s a dream come true to welcome this wonderful
company to our city as part of our 2017 programme, and to share the UK premiere
of The
Suitcase across five great cities.’
James Ngcobo, Artistic Director at Market Theatre
Johannesburg, says: ‘We are so excited that
we are about to visit the UK with a story set in South Africa - yet anyone can
relate to this universal tale of a man who wants to change his life. Whenever
we perform this piece, people have always said that there are clear parallels
with their own lives when they witness how Timi's life unfolds. This tour is
happening this year all because of the buckets of passion that Mark Babych has
brought to the idea of a piece from South Africa coming to Hull in such a
landmark year. We are looking forward to bringing the story by the prolific
Professor Eskia Mphahlele to Hull and the Northern tour after that - this visit
is the gateway to the beginning of a relationship with Hull Truck Theatre, a
relationship that will carry on past this tour.’
The cast includes acclaimed television and stage
actor Siyabonga Thwala as Timi
Ngobese, (South African TV dramas Isindigo, Rhythm City and Generation),
Masasa Mbangeni as Namhla
Ngobese (South African Film and Television Awards ‘Best Actress’ for role in TV
drama Scandal!; BBC’s
Silent Witness), John Lata as
Pitso (sketch comedy series Dube on 2 and Dube on 2 – Reloaded;
sitcom My Perfect Family), and Desmond
Dube as Mlotshwa (United Artists and Lions Gate Films’ Hotel
Rwanda; BBC
and HBO’s The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.)
Praise
for The Suitcase:
“Once you’ve seen this production once you
just have to go and see it again” – Time Out, Soweto
“It’s pure theatre at its best” - The Star Tonight Review (South Africa)
Tickets
and performance details:
Thur
14 Sept, 6pm
Fri
15 Sept, 7.30pm
Sat
16 Sept, 2pm & 7.30pm
Tickets
from £10
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