Fresh from its successful debut in Paris, France ‘the dirt road’ makes it’s African debut at the 2014 National Arts’ Festival in Grahamstown, brought to you by Slice Bean Machine in association with Soweto Magazine.

This original South African stage play is written by up-and-coming theatre maker, actress and writer Kim Sanssoucie and fiercely directed by acclaimed theatre director Alby Michaels with original score by Zethu Mashika. The 2-hander has Sanssoucie as Kate Ndlela, a gentle school teacher and her husband, a prolific artist; Simphiwe Ndlela is superbly played by Naledi winning actor Nat Ramabulana.

Set in contemporary Johannesburg, this quirky but inherently tragic love story follows the relationship between a Xhosa man and an English-speaking Coloured woman. Their youthful romantic love is challenged by cultural disparity and common marital trials. An external incident causes them to harshly re-examine their own truths and expectations. ‘the dirt road’ is an honest portrayal of a tumultuous relationship enveloped by an authentic adoration between two lovers.

‘the dirt road’ was part of French Seasons 2013; produced by live performance production company Slice Bean Machine in association with the National Arts Council of South Africa.  It showcased at the American University of Paris as well as the Lavoir Moderne Parisien Theatre to wonderful reviews.

Andrew Davidson, Head of Comparative Literature at the American University of Paris and a New York Best Selling Author and Critic said of watching ‘the dirt road’.

“The audience felt as if they were intruding upon a real couple in the most private moments of their relationship. The feeling of honesty was so intense that at times it felt uncomfortable, in the best possible way”

“Fearless performances by both actors”

 – Andrew Davidson

‘the dirt road’ unapologetically comments on social issues that fall part of our current discourse in contemporary South Africa. It questions the relationship between our instilled traditions and our modern socio-economic environment with a post-apartheid backdrop. These themes are tackled through the relationship of an inter-cultural married couple. The play does not follow a linear timeline and has unconventional and stylized direction and lighting design which makes it a new, fresh piece of art from a proudly South African troupe.

Truly an original and contemporary slice of South African theatre not to be missed!

For more info and to book tickets online visit:

https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/events/the-dirt-road/

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Sam Mendes and Simon Russell Beale deliver a brutal, unforgettable collaboration; prepare to have your heart broken.’ – Metro

‘The cast is beyond superlative. A literally awe-inspiring production.’ – Time Out

Sam Mendes’ acclaimed National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s King Lear, with Simon Russell Beale in the title role, will screen as part of the current National Theatre Live season. The Shakespearean tragedy releases onto Cinema Nouveau’s digital screens in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town and at Ster-Kinekor Blue Route in Tokai, Cape Town, from Saturday, 14 June, for four screenings only.

Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes (James Bond: Skyfall, American Beauty) returns to the National Theatre to direct acclaimed actor Simon Russell Beale in the title role of Shakespeare’s searing tragedy.

In King Lear, an aged king decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters – Goneril, Regan and Cordelia – according to which of them is most eloquent in praising him. His favourite, Cordelia, says nothing. Lear’s world descends into chaos.

‘Witty, agile, lucid and deeply felt. A gripping production of a tragedy which is also an intensely painful psychological thriller.’ – Daily Telegraph

Simon Russell Beale’s recent theatre work for the National includes Timon of Athens (Critics’ Circle Award: Best Shakespearean Performance), Collaborators (Evening Standard Award: Best Actor), London Assurance, Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Alchemist and The Life of Galileo; elsewhere, The Hothouse and Privates on Parade (West End), The Winter’s Tale and The Cherry Orchard (New York and Old Vic); and Bluebird (New York). His films include My Week with Marilyn and The Deep Blue Sea; television includes Spooks, Falstaff in the BBC film of Henry IV, and presenting the series Sacred Music and Symphony.

‘Genuinely gripping. Simon Russell Beale movingly captures Lear’s terrified intimations of madness.’ – Daily Telegraph

Sam Mendes has previously directed The Sea, The Birthday Party, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Othello for the National. For ten years he was Director of London’s Donmar Warehouse, where his productions included Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night.

In 2009 he founded the Bridge Project, a transatlantic classical theatre company, and directed The Winter’s Tale, The Cherry Orchard, The Tempest, As You Like It and Richard III. His films include American Beauty (Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture) and the BAFTA and Academy Award-winning Skyfall.

The cast also includes Stephen Boxer (as Gloucester), Cassie Bradley, Tom Brooke (Edgar), Richard Clothier, Jonathan Dryden Taylor, Kate Fleetwood (Goneril), Simon Manyonda, Anna Maxwell Martin (Regan), Daniel Millar, Michael Nardone, Gary Powell, Adrian Scarborough (Fool), Hannah Stokely, Stanley Townsend (Kent), Sam Troughton (Edmund), Olivia Vinall (Cordelia) and Ross Waiton.

King Lear releases on South African screens on Saturday, 14 June, for four screenings only – on 14, 18 and 19 June at 19:30 and on 15 June at 14:30 – at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, and at Ster-Kinekor Blue Route Mall in Tokai. Bookings are now open, and the running time of this production is 3hrs, 20mins (including a 20-minute interval).

For booking information on King Lear, visit www.cinemanouveau.co.za or sterkinekor.mobi, or call our Ticketline on 082 16789. Follow us on Twitter @nouveaubuzz. You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App on any Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone and Blackberry smart phones for updates, news and to book from your mobile.

National Theatre Live enables audiences to experience the best of British theatre throughout the year, as the NT brings cameras into the auditorium to broadcast performances live from stage to screen. Over 2.5 million people have experienced a National Theatre Live broadcast. National Theatre Live events are distributed outside the U.K. through New York-based BY Experience, the pioneer of global live “alternative content” digital cinema events.

Watch the trailer for King Lear here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXkt8c5I2uo

Hi-res images for this production are available at: www.skpictures.co.za

The post CINEMA NOUVEAU TO SCREEN ONE OF SHAKESPEARE’S MOST FAMOUS TRAGEDIES,"KING LEAR", FROM NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE appeared first on Book Of Swag.

Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo, the story has been adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford in association with the South African-based, award-winning Handspring Puppet Company. Since its first performance, War Horse has become an international smash hit.

War Horse follows the powerful story of a young boy called Albert and his beloved horse, Joey, who has been requisitioned to fight for the British in World War I. Caught in enemy crossfire, Joey ends up serving on both sides during the war before landing in No Man’s Land, while Albert, not old enough to enlist, embarks on a treacherous mission to find his horse and bring him home.

A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship, War Horse features at its heart astonishing life-size puppets by South Africa’s ground-breaking Handspring Puppet Company, which bring breathing, galloping horses to thrilling life on stage.

The National Theatre Live screening of War Horse will also mark the first theatre production to be broadcast in South Africa in Sony 4K, following the recent digital technology projection upgrade at all the Cinema Nouveau and Ster-Kinekor sites.

War Horse is adapted by Nick Stafford and presented in association with Handspring Puppet Company. Directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, it is designed by Rae Smith, with lighting by Paule Constable and movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick. The puppetry directors are Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, with video design by 59 Productions Ltd, song-making by John Tams, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Christopher Shutt.

The War Horse cast at the New London includes: Gareth Aled, Nigel Allen, Antony Antunes, Derek Arnold, Alex Avery, Oliver Beamish, Richard Booth, Alistair Brammer, Ashleigh Cheadle, Eke Chukwu, Darren Cockrill, Ewen Cummins, Tamsin Fessey, Nicholas Hart, Paul Hawkyard, Tom Hodgkins, Jamie Kenna, Pieter Lawman, Andrew London, Brian Lonsdale, Josh McCord, Dogan Mehmet, Tom Meredith, Ben Murray, Steve North, Lewis Peploe, Sergio Priftis, William Rycroft, Jack Sandle, Ian Shaw, Michael Taibi, Zoe Thorne, Emma Thornett, Josie Walker, Brendan Wall, Sam Wilmott and Sion Daniel Young.

War Horse releases on South African screens on Saturday, 12 April for eight screenings only – on 12, 16, 17, 19, 23 and 24 April at 19:30 and on 13 and 20 April at 14:30 – at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, and at Ster-Kinekor Blue Route Mall. The running time of this production is 2hrs 50mins.

For booking information on War Horse visit www.cinemanouveau.co.za or sterkinekor.mobi, or call our Ticketline on 082 16789. Follow us on Twitter @nouveaubuzz. You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App on any Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone and Blackberry handset for updates, news and to book from your mobile.

War Horse is produced in the West End by the National Theatre and National Angels. Don’t miss the chance to experience this landmark production at a cinema near you.

Hi-res images from this production are available at: www.skpictures.co.za.

National Theatre Live broadcasts the best of British theatre live to cinemas around the world. Since its first season in 2009, over 2.5 million people globally have experienced more than 35 broadcasts from the National Theatre and other theatres across the UK. National Theatre Live events are distributed outside the U.K. through New York-based BY Experience, the pioneer of global live ‘alternative content’ digital cinema events.

The post CINEMA NOUVEAU SCREENS THE MULTI-AWARD WINNING WEST END PRODUCTION OF WAR HORSE FROM NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE appeared first on Book Of Swag.