The new psychological thriller “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” will make its South African premiere at the Theatre on the Square in Sandton from Tuesday, October 4 to Saturday, October 9.
The play is a “darkly humorous drama” about a broken relationship between mother Mag (Jennifer Steyn) and daughter Maureen (also Jennifer Steyn). It was written by the famed Irish playwright Martin McDonagh (Julie-Anne McDowell).
The play follows Maureen, a middle-aged unmarried lady who attempts to find love while caring for her dying mother.
When the paths of Pato (Bryan Hiles) and Ray (Sven Ruygrok) and the mother and daughter cross, the drama unfolds.
Commenting on the play, director Charmaine Weir-Smith remarked, “With less than a week until opening night, ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ rehearsals are in full flow.
“At the beginning of any creative process, I am reminded of a remark by one of my favorite actors, Alan Alda: ‘The creative is a place nobody has ever been.’ You must leave your comfort zone and enter the wilderness of your intuition. What you will uncover will be extraordinary. What you will find is yourself’
“This is the journey I’ve traveled with this fantastic cast.” Every day they bring their experience, audacity, and intuition to the rehearsal room, where they explore the highs and lows of the human condition against the backdrop of some of the finest literature in contemporary theatre,” Weir-Smith explained.
“The Beauty Queen of Leenane” is How Now Brown Cow Productions’ first production, directed by Daniel Galloway.
Jennifer Steyn accompanied by Sven Ruygrok. Picture: Brett Rubin
Galloway stated, “It has been two and a half years since we founded How Now Brown Cow, a new, independent, worldwide production business based in South Africa.
“It has challenged our patience and determination, but we are now prepared to unveil our very first stage production.
“Although we had to wait considerably longer than we would have liked, we occupied ourselves throughout this time. This play by the acclaimed Martin McDonagh is the ideal opening production.”
He continued, “The musical is a powerful piece of literature that provides a fantastic vehicle for our all-star cast, who will present a world-class theatrical production.”
“We couldn’t be more thrilled about our first excursion! And as we emerge from a brutally difficult moment for everyone in the theater industry, I urge you to purchase tickets and come experience exactly how good South African talent can be!”
Jennifer Steyn. Picture: Brett Rubin
Beginning Tuesday, October 4th, “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” will be performed at Theatre on the Square.
Computicket has tickets available beginning at R150.
This is a time of love. And several theaters across the nation are presenting local productions that celebrate love.
Cristina Monike and Ruan Galdino. Picture: Lauge Sorensen
Cinderella
Location: Joburg Theatre
When: September 30 until October 9
After two and a half years, “Cinderella” returns to the Joburg Theatre for a limited season.
Iain MacDonald, artistic director of the Johannesburg Ballet, choreographed “Cinderella” with Johann Strauss’s classic songs providing the appropriate musical backdrop for this ultimate tale of rags-to-riches.
“It has long been one of the company’s most popular ballets, both in our original version and in our current production, which was last performed at the Joburg Theatre in 2016 and the Teatro at Montecasino in 2018.”
“Some of the most fascinating and unforgettable classical music ever composed was composed by Johann Strauss, and the music to which “Cinderella” is danced is no exception.”
Sivuyile Dunjwa. Picture: Baxter
Powerless
Where: Baxter Hotel
When: October 6 to 8
Sivuyile Dunjwa, a dynamic performer and Magnet Theatre alumnus, narrates the narrative of love, dreams, and township life, as well as how some men find it difficult to discuss experiencing abuse in relationships.
Dunjwa narrates the harrowing tale of a young man who loves a woman and displays the strength of love. He hopes to grow old and start a family with this woman one day.
The dream is compelling, and he will do anything to make it a reality.
Until one day he commits an unthinkable act. It is a story about growing up in a township, gender-based violence, a lack of opportunities, and how scarcity leads to unanticipated outcomes.
Michael Terry Picture: Philip Kuhn
At All Cost
Location: Rhumbelow Theatre
When: October 2 and 3, 2018.
Peter Terry performs his own play in this fascinating solo piece of theatre, produced by the globally renowned theatrical director Janice Honeyman.
This powerful presentation honors the heroic July 1916 Battle of Delville Wood and the supreme sacrifice and valor of the South African Brigade.
In “At All Cost,” David Wells, a retired mechanical engineer who fought and was wounded at the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916 as a 19-year-old, reluctantly returns to the Wood in 1970 and finds himself reliving the Battle.
The piece is a profoundly emotional and poetic elegy to the restless spirits of Delville Wood and the valiant warriors whose lives were irrevocably altered by this catastrophic fight.
Moagi Kai and Nonhlanhla Sidiki. Photograph of Rudy Motsetatsea
The Eye of Drowning
Location: Market Theatre
When: October 6 through October 23
“The Drowning Eye” is a new artistic endeavor that examines the relationship between love and revolution.
Written in 1949 when the young Martiniquan author was 24 and a student in Paris, “The Drowning Eye” is part love poetry, half surrealist narrative, part philosophical dissertation, and a striking testament to the power and potential of love as an act of resistance.
“The Drowning Eye” is performed in the midst of an exhibition that combines archival material with poetic lines of flight and philosophical questions, and features voice by Lesego Rampolokeng as well as film and music to explore revolutionary love in all its manifestations, revolutionary manifestations of love, love as a revolutionary force, and the historic role of love and lovers within liberation movements, from Frantz and Josie Fanon to Che Guevara and Aleida March Torre, W.E.B.
Cast of ‘iZulu the Musical’ Picture: Supplied
The iZulu Musical
The Playhouse Company’s location.
September 29 until October 2
This gripping tale of enduring love, written, scored, and directed by Zolani Maseko, delivers a theatrical experience brimming with youthful vitality.
The cast of 26 is supported by an 11-piece band.
And adding their own draw to the audience attraction of the production are three unexpected luminaries featured as guest artists.