One-act plays to electrify your November

The University of Pretoria’s Drama Department proudly presents three contemporary South African one-act plays: Born in the RSA (Simon), Tin Bucket Drum (Coppen) & Ubu and the Truth Commission (Taylor)

Born in The RSA 

Written by: Barney Simon

Adapted and directed by: Tselane Mashilo

In this adaptation of Simons’ play, we deal with everyday, real-life characters living in contemporary South Africa. The adaptation stays true to Simons’ vision, but embraces the current world of South Africa and how society is being affected by government. While this play originally called for South Africans to wake up to the Apartheid present, this revival urges them instead to remember the Apartheid past, particularly in light of present realities and future aspirations. Structured around a simple premise, Born in the RSA amalgamates the stories of seven characters who are Apartheid-era social types.

Tin Bucket Drum

Written by: Neil Coppen

Directed by: Jade Bowers

A fresh twist on traditional African storytelling. The play follows the story of a child born with a revolutionary heartbeat into a silent dictatorship. The play takes a swipe at age-old global systems of restriction enforced for personal gain and how it affects the people on the ground.

Ubu and the Truth Commission

Written by: Jane Taylor

Directed by: Gopala Davies

Ubu and the Truth Commission is a play that combines puppetry, performance by live actors, music, video and testimonies. The play is based on the hearings of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission while also drawing extensively on Alfred Jarry's absurdist production, Ubu Roi (1896). It fuses the chaos of the Ubu legend with original testimony from witnesses at the post-Apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Dates: Born in The RSA – 9 November 2017

 Tin Bucket Drum­ – 10 November 2017

 Ubu and the Truth Commission – 11 November 2017

Venue: Masker Theatre (UP Main Campus)

Time: 19:00

Tickets: R45 for adults and R35 for students

Please note: tickets will be sold at the door and only card payments will be accepted. No cash payments.