Vermaak | Entertainment > Teater | Theatre > Kennisgewings | Notices > Maru, back by popular demand Maru, back by popular demand

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Sibikwa Art Centre, State Theatre & Market Theatre April to July 2007 - 2007-04-12

Maru, Phyllis Klotz's evocative and sensitive adaptation of the Bessie Head novel, is back by popular demand.

This theatrical adaptation of Maru, prescribed reading for Grade 12, played to capacity houses last year and schools are advised to book early this year to avoid disappointment.

Performances run at the Sibikwa Art Centre, Pretoria's State Theatre and at the Market Theatre from 16 April to 28 July. Sibikwa Arts Centre: 16 - 20 April and 22 May - 8 June; State Theatre, Pretoria: 23 April - 19 May and at the Market Theatre: 18 to 28 July.

Head's novel articulates her strong concerns about racism, economic stagnation and most crucially the status of women. Maru centres on the plight of a San woman Margaret who, despite being raised in a white mission where she received a superior education and ultimately attained the respected position of teacher, attempts to integrate herself into the black community of Dilepe, a rural village in Botswana where the San are seen as slaves.

When the two community leaders, Maru and Moleka go head to head in a clash for her affections it would seem that in some small measure Margaret has been accepted by the community.

Directed by Sibikwa's acclaimed artistic director Phyllis Klotz, the cast includes Andries Mbali (of uCarmen eKhayelitsha fame), who returns to the role of Ranko that he played so successfully last year, Zakhele Zakes Msimango as Maru, Simon Sidumo as Moleko, and Keitumetse Baitse and Claire Opperman playing Margaret junior and senior respectively. Moses Mphahlele plays the Principal.

"This production attempts to create the duality in the novel itself; the historically specific problem of racism and the method of its eradication and the fairy tale, magical, allegorical dimensions", says Klotz, a Naledi lifetime achievement award winner.

Maru runs at the Sibikwa Arts Centre from 16 to 20 April and again from 22 May to 8 June (tickets at R15 per learner are available from Sibikwa); at the State Theatre, Pretoria from 23 April to 19 May - contact State Theatre for ticket prices and bookings; Market Theatre from 18 to 28 July (tickets at R30 per learner - contact Sibikwa).

The Sibikwa Art Centre is situated at 13 Liverpool Park, 2 Liverpool Street; corner Bolton Road, Benoni South.

For enquiries and bookings please contact Sibikwa Art Centre at 011 422 4359 or e-mail [email protected].