UJ Arts & Culture (a division of FADA) is proud to present the Johannesburg run of Reza de Wet’s iconic African Gothic (translation of Diepe Grond), at the Joburg Theatre Fringe from 16–25 July, following a week-long run at the 2018 National Arts Festival.
The staging of the play is the culmination of a process that has seen more than 300 students and lecturers from different departments in the Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture (FADA) involving themselves in various design and development aspects of the work. Student groups were challenged to design the set and costumes, and develop a marketing campaign, together with other collateral for the play. In addition to developing unique skills, a valuable outcome of the process was learning how to work collaboratively, which is becoming increasingly important in an environment where more than specialized knowledge is demanded from professionals.
Set against the backdrop of a farm in desolate ruin, the play tells the story of the complicated, passionate, and troubled relationship between two siblings. While they live in the past with no discernible future, struggling with their own demons, they face eviction in the present by an officious lawyer. Directed by Alby Michaels, with a stellar cast that includes Liezl de Kok, Zak Hendrikz, Mpho Osei-Tutu, and Olive Strachan, African Gothic is set to satisfy both the discerning theatre lover and novice alike.
The play will run for a limited time (from 16–25 July), at the Joburg Theatre’s Fringe.
For more information or to book tickets please visit www.joburgtheatre.com or www.uj.ac.za/arts or contact the box office directly at 0861 670 670.
African Gothic
About UJ Arts & Culture
UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of art platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni, and the general public, to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts.
In addition to UJ Arts & Culture, FADA (www.uj.ac.za/fada) offers programs in eight creative disciplines, in Art, Design, and Architecture, as well as playing home to the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art & Visual Culture, and the Visual Identities in Art & Design Research Center. The faculty has a strong focus on sustainability and relevance and engages actively with the dynamism, creativity, and diversity of Johannesburg in imagining new approaches to art and design education.
This post was written by the author in their personal capacity.The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of The Theatre Times, their staff or collaborators.
This post was written by Nomsa Nsibande, Joburg Theatre.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.
