Latest news with #TheLastCountry
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Diverse narratives of migration, love and independence unfold in these Joburg theatre shows
A compelling moment captured from the stage production 'The Last Country', a truly thought-provoking experience. Image: Val Adamson Amid the dynamic slate of theatre offerings at the moment, which includes 'Swingin' Las Vegas' at The Teatro, Montecasino, another production piques interest: 'The Last Country'. Inspired by the experiences of 30 migrant women from diverse countries who have relocated from rural areas to the city, this production explores their stories. In this immersive production, which is directed by Neil Coppen, who also cowrote the script with Mpume Mthombeni, viewers will get to hear of the journeys of Ofrah from the DRC, MaThwala from Ndwedwe in KwaZulu-Natal, Aamiina from Somalia, and Aneni from Zimbabwe. The script thoughtfully interlaces narratives of hardship, suffering, comedy, optimism, and perseverance, revealing our common human nature. It highlights how even the simplest gestures of goodwill can aid and reshape the lives of individuals seeking refuge in urban environments. In this revised production, which is part of the Africa Month curation at the establishment, Mpume Mthombeni, Faniswa Yisa, Andile Vilakazi and Nompilo Maphumulo form the new a. The Market Theatre's artistic director, Greg Homann, explored the significant theme of migration in this production. 'This play contributes to a much larger conversation about migration, belonging, hope and resilience. Again, it highlights policy limitations relating to migration in metropolitan areas and reminds us of the fundamental values that have shaped this beautiful nation,' he said. Where: Mannie Manim, Market Theatre. When: Runs until June 1, 7pm. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Zane Meas and Bianca Amato as Torvald and Nora, respectively, in 'The Doll House, Part 2'. Image: Supplied A DOLL'S HOUSE, PART 2 Fans of veteran actor Zane Meas and Bianca Amato can catch them in the critically acclaimed Tony Award-winning play by Lucas Hnath. The production, which is back for a limited run, is directed by Barbara Rubin and also features Charlotte Butler and Simone Neethling. The imitable Greg King heads the set design in this witty, thought-provoking and entertaining offering. Greg King's set design is a highlight of this witty, thought-provoking, and entertaining theatre production. The premise centres on Nora Helmer (Amato) walking away from her husband and children in 1879. She yearns for independence. However, fifteen years later, she returns home with a request that rocks the family. The script is cleverly penned to inspire debate while also offsetting the tense moments with comic levity. Where: Theatre on the Square. When: Runs until June 7. Times differ, depending on the day. IZIBAZI ZOMENDO - MARITAL SCARS Mbali Ndlozi writes and directs this critically acclaimed play, which explores the painful realities left by love. Drawing on South Africa's complex socio-cultural environment, this production highlights gender dynamics and gender-based violence, while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit. 'This work is deeply personal, yet universal. It is a story of pain, but also of hope and resilience,' Ndlozi shared. She continued: 'Every performance is an act of resistance and a call for change.' Where: Basement Theatre at Roodepoort Theatre. When: May 21 - 25, 11am and, 3pm on Sunday.
Time Out
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Award-winning The Last Country comes to The Market Theatre
Experience the moving theatre play that has been captivating audiences around South Africa, The Last Country, at The Market Theatre this May. For eight years, the play has been performed to sold-out venues in Durban, including theatres, hostels, schools, universities, churches, taxi ranks, and community halls. It even played at the 2024 National Arts Festival. The play has now made its way to Johannesburg. It draws attention to the difficulties faced by migrant women after they reach the city, giving us a peek of the realities of how they are often mistreated - a reality we often choose to turn a blind eye to. It is based on the lives of four women: Ofrah from the DRC, MaThwala from Ndwedwe in KwaZulu-Natal, Aamiina from Somalia, and Aneni from Zimbabwe. Mpume Mthombeni, Faniswa Yisa, Andile Vilakazi and Nompilo Maphumulo play these characters. The women share their painful experiences that forced them to leave their homes, including poverty, war, and injustice. Coming to Durban to seek a better life, the women face the realities of living in a foreign land which has its own struggles. They are often victims of xenophobia and are often forced to embrace injustice. They also deal with the complexity of language barriers, find themselves living in unimaginable conditions, and fight for crumbs while trying to make the best of whatever situation they find themselves in. The play even shows the struggles that women from rural areas within South Africa face when they migrate to the cities to make a living. With many migrants living in the different cities within South Africa, the play plays a vital role in shaping attitudes toward them. It offers clues into what everyone can do to make a positive change and how our cities can be friendlier. The play's opening took place on Friday, 16 May at The Market Theatre's Mannie Manim. The room was packed to capacity as people of different races came together to watch the play that moved the audience, with some even crying during the play. The heartwarming and captivating play raises the importance of ubuntu, kindness and justice, and is worth watching. Catch it at The Market Theatre from 15 May until 1 June 2025.
