University of Pretoria’s Drama Department presents a reinterpretaion of  Welcome Msomi’s iconic and critically acclaimed 1971 play, uMabatha from 23-27 May 2017. Msomi’s play offered a localised reading of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and became known as ‘the Zulu Macbeth’. Msomi explored themes in Macbeth such as the abuse, and corruptive potentiality of, power and unchecked ambition; greed and deceit; tyranny and oppression; and fate vs free will in the context of the early 19^th century South Africa. He freely interpreted and aligned the narrative of Shakespeare’s Scottish Thane Macbeth to run parallel to that of the warrior king Shaka Zulu. Characters and locations were transposed to a local context, for example Macbeth/Mabatha; Macduff/Mafudu; Lady Macbeth/ Kamadonsela; Banquo/Bhangane; and an invading Swazi army by which Macbeth/Mabatha is defeated.

The production is the department’s third and final experiment around Shakespeare and decolonisation for 2017. uMabatha is widely acknowledged as a decolonised version of Macbeth. Director Josias Moleele opens up further questions around decolonisation by using a multicultural cast and transposing the cultural context of the play. The production foregrounds questions around the nature of representation, the voice of the director and cultural imperialism within a multi-cultural framework.

Moleele is supported by choreographer Luyanda Sidyia (Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance 2015) and dance master Curtis Olivier; set designer Karabo Legoabe and costume designer Nthabiseng Makone. Acclaimed playwright and director Moleele’s interpretation of the play offers a contemporary view on the central themes in the play and aligns Msomi’s playtext with contemporary South African leadership. The stylised, multi-cultural re-interpretation of the play gives flash-glimpses of South African life, urban and rural areas, corruption in government and more uniquely South African scenarios, all wrapped in one seamless human story. 

Venue: Masker Theatre, UP Hatfield Campus.

Dates:  23-27 May 2017 at 19:00 with a matinee at 15:00 on 27 May.

Tickets: R45 for adults, R35 for students and learners.

Learner and student block bookings of 20 persons and more - R35.

Tickets available at the door.  We regret that no cash payments will be possible, card sales (at the door and EFT’s). For bookings and EFT details, please contact [email protected] / 012 42-2558.