No borders: cutting edge and confronting theatre, dance and visual arts from South Africa. The Albany, Deptford, host Afrovibes for three weeks in October presenting the festival's renowned roster of raw and uncompromising contemporary South African performance, dance, film, literature and visual arts alongside a fringe programme of British work relating to the festival's themes.
Welcome to Rocksburg: A new play by Paul Grootboom which premiered at 2009's National Arts Festival, Grahamstown and a gritty, unsentimental view of life in the townships today. Grootboom is one of South Africa's most important theatre makers. Described as the 'Township Tarantino', his critically acclaimed Township Stories toured the UK for 12 weeks in 2006. Rocksburg is a original South African "action play" in the grand tradition of Hollywood action movies.
A Face Like Mine: Another Grahamstown premiere from the Baxter Theatre exploring the fragmented perceptions of black femininity. The piece delves into complex questions about culture and identity observing the subtle relations and tensions between black women and white men. As well, A Face Like Mine touches on black on black prejudices. Renowned producer Lara Foot Newton joined forces with creator Asanda Phewe, University of Cape Town's Best Theatre-Maker of 2008, to premier A Face Like Mine at the Grahamstown Festival in 2009.
Ncamisa! The Women: A one woman play exploring the fallout of being a lesbian in Khayelitsha Township, on the outskirts of Cape Town. Directed by Peter Hayes and performed by Pam Ngwabeni, this play depicts a world of light living and deep passion, casual violence and serious relationships, woven together with soccer and song.
Via Volcano – Mzobane: In association with Breaking Cycles: A new breed of dancers from Kagiso township who add modern twists to the traditional township dance of pantsula - A dance that fuses breaking, with hip-hop and tap. A co-commission with Dance Umbrella SA, this new piece is choreographed by William Mbambo and Directed/Dramaturged by British hip-hop theatre artist Benji Reid - An exciting collaboration which brings a new dance form to the UK and developes a link with the UK's hip-hop theatre audiences in the process.
