Arts writer
CAPE Town Opera and Magnet Theatre will present a new musical adaptation of Zakes Mda’s novel, Heart of Redness, at The Fugard Theatre from August 19 to 22 at 7.30pm.
A multi-talented 15-member cast, comprising Magnet Theatre and UCT Drama School graduates and some of Cape Town Opera’s youngest members, all come together to perform in this new production under the direction of Mark Fleishman with music by Neo Muyanga, movement direction by Jennie Reznek and design by Craig Leo.
The question is, is it an opera or a musical? Director Fleishman says, “ Heart of Redness is hard to define and package neatly under a single unambiguous descriptor. And that is exactly what we are trying to achieve, a something in–between that takes cognisance of various styles without settling comfortably into any one of them. It has elements of operatic, choral and traditional music styles to present a unique, yet highly entertaining piece that is sure to delight audiences.”
Shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Writers Prize, Heart of Redness tells the story of South African village life set against the backdrop of a notorious episode from the country’s past.
Here Camugu, who left for America during apartheid, has returned to Joburg. Disillusioned by the problems of a new democracy, he travels to the remote Eastern Cape where, in the 19th century, a teenage prophetess called Nonqawuse commanded the Xhosa people to kill their cattle and burn their crops, promising that once they did so the spirits of their ancestors would rise, and drive the occupying English into the ocean.
The failed prophecy split the community into believers and ‘unbelievers.
One hundred and fifty years later, and the two groups’ descendants are at odds over plans to build a casino and tourist resort in the village, and Camugu becomes drawn into their future.
Heart of Redness shifts back-and-forth between the present day and the time of Nonqawuse, culminating in a modern-day dilemma of traditional values versus development and growth. It’s a riveting story by Mda.
For the remainder of the 2015 season, Cape Town Opera has teamed up with leading creative artists to also produce The Merry Widow of Malagawi, which premieres in the Opera House at Artscape from September 5 to 12, followed by Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda on November 7 and 8.
This year’s season culminates with the staging of FOUR:30, which introduces four new home-grown operas on one bill at Artscape Theatre from November 21 to 28.
These productions proudly showcase some of South Africa’s finest, and in some instances, newest operatic talent, which sets the tone for greater opera performances in 2016.
l Tickets: R100 - R190. Seniors, students, block bookings: R90, R140 and R180. Book: 0861 915 8000, Info: www.capetownopera.co.za