Represent Review: The Maids @ WITS
Sharpile Linda for the review – catch The Maids at WITS before the 26th May: Do yourself a favour – read the play by Jean Genet (or read something about it) before you go and watch this stage adaptation. The opening scenes are vague, abstract. I felt a bit lost in the beginning, but I was fine again when I eventually realised that there were two characters playing each of the maids. The first scene opens in a boudoir, opulent with red velvets white lace and flowers, where the two maids, Solange and Claire (played by four characters) take turns acting out the part of their employer, Madame. This ritual, which they perform nightly, is great parody, mimicking and exaggerating Madame’s whims and irrational demands – almost reminiscent of our own “Madam and Eve”, only more sinister. In the maids’ game, they try to kill Madame. Madame is obnoxious and completely self-absorbed, languishing after her lover (Monsieur) who is in prison because a whistleblower alerted the police to his involvement in shady dealings. The master/slave relationship is depicted with poignancy and depth. The maids envy Madame’s lifestyle and wealth, but pity her loneliness and are at turns amused and disgusted by her condescending attitude towards them. Madame is plagued by guilt and sometimes irritation at the maids’ obsequiousness, but also has a malicious streak. In one scene she gives them gifts – a fine evening gown and a fur coat, but soon changes her mind and takes the gifts back, paying scant attention to the maids’ humiliation and disappointment. The maids’ imaginary desire to kill Madame has self-destructive consequences for them, but I won’t give away the story. The acting is superb and there are some really intense moments. The play has some powerful messages about the imbalance of power in domestic workers’ relationships with their employers. In one scene, Claire makes a profound statement, “her joy feeds off our shame”, which certainly gave me pause for thought. I would love for someone to take the bold step of adapting this to a South African context. Catch this play at the Wits Amphitheatre from 16th to 26th May. Tickets at Computicket....
Represent Review & photos: Smirnoff Legends
Reuben “the Matrix” had the time of his life at the Smirnoff Legends event this week as he colourfully tells us, he was chuffed to really get up close with a few of his gurus squeezing in an interview here and there.. Click here for our photoset of the party on Flickr.: “It’s my house!” I repeatedly found myself on the verge of exclaiming these famous house lyrics as the genre’s gallantry Grand Dukes: Joss Fresh, Vinny, Ganyani, Oskido & Christos took to the stage to showcase their eloquent vinyl mastery and reflexive agility behind the turntables! Hazeldene Hall – Parktown was truly the place to be (Wednesday 16 May 2007) for any serious nocturnal party animal. To put it mildly: The roof was ablaze, however no canister was summoned to expunge the scorching flames! There’s just something about being at a VIP event that adds some extra flair to the exclusive modus operandi (you literally get spoilt rotten by all that choice-assorted – royal treatment!): The vibrant atmosphere, unrestricted access to the Legends, well prepared & equally mouth-watering cuisine, extremely vivacious women & well groomed hunks (for the ladies of course!) and so much liquor you could literally call upon around the clock (it’s just too much pampering to ask for at a go!). Alas!, don’t be fooled! All that lavishness is minute when in direct contrast to the artistic craftsmanship of the Legends – No, The Kings of House Music. The Event kicked off with a well-organized reception populated to capacity by beautiful people and presided over by the MC – Greg Maloka. Opening the performers` line-up was the hip and happening Gang of Instrumentals with their afro-rhythm beats (enough to get the guests into a series of dance-floor frenzies). Indeed the good came to us who decided to wait as the standards were elevated by the Men of the hour, the Legends of House Music in physical manifestation: The Forefather of House Music –DJ Ganyani, The Godfather of the Airwaves – DJ Fresh, Grandmasters of the decks – DJ`s Oskido (AKA Oscar wa rona), Vinny Da Vincy and Christos wowed the audience with well-known house tracks and maestro skills. It appeared as if the thumping crowd was unconsciously drenched in melodic aphrodisiac as though heavily intoxicated by the intertwined vinyl repertoires. A young, budding and amazingly talented new star (Black Coffee) was handed the platform by the Legends to dish-out his apprentice sharpened turntable tempo reflexes – Much to the exclamation and reverence of the audience! The evening culminated in the Legends (Kings) being honored for their invaluable and pioneering efforts towards nurturing and constantly setting new trends (re-inventing the wheel) which made...
Represent Review: MoLoRa @ the Market
Sitting in the cosy enclave of the Barney Simon theatre on press night at award-winning writer and director Yael Farber’s play MoLoRa is no mean feat for an amateur. Leaning forward all around you sit wizened thespians cuddled up close to expectant theatre journo’s, whose concentrating faces you recognise from the little photo’s next to their columns. As the lights went down I felt like a bit of a fraud amongst the aficionados, for although I studied Drama and have spent a lot of my life popping in and out of theatres, I ain’t no expert. The subject is “Yael Farber’s acclaimed adaptation of the Oresteia Trilogy by Aeschylus, set in a contemporary South African context.” It’s a complicated story and somewhat unknown tale – we found it to be a challenging play to review… we’ve been struggling to eloquently word what we felt. But review it we must and review it from the POV of the everyday man and citizen journo we must do too. It’s the only way we know how. Firstly, let’s talk about the great things about Molora, starting with the the powerful soundscape provided by a group of animated and delightful older Xhosa musicians (gogo’s!). They are as much a part of the story as the lead characters, providing textured and haunting mood changes and at times a poignant, eery, mystical soundtrack through traditional instruments and an incredible split-tone guttural singing style. Watching and listening to them one is easily transported to a deep-rooted Xhosa gathering in the green hills of the Eastern Cape – their music weaving it’s tribal rhythms through the narrative… Then there’s the set which was minimalist but craftily designed around the story’s needs, with the numerous performers feeling comfortable on a small stage – the clever use of the space and it’s flexibility allowed us the freedom to fill in the gaps with our imagination. Our favourite moment was when the young muscular Oresties swings in slow motion on a handle around the stage, mesmerising… The lighting design was superb, moving from harsh neon glare to deep and intimate warm isolated scenes. The performance was highly energetic and very physical and loud – the part of the daughter, Electra was a gallant effort by Jabulile Tshabalala, who put enormous concentration and her soul into her demanding role. Sandile Matsheni played the smaller role of Orestes, wearing the emotions of his character artfully. The part that we were confused by was that played by Dorothy Anne Gould who appeared to be over-acting and over-playing her character in an almost amateur-theatre style. “Look at how cross and mad I look, listen to how deep my angry voice...
Represent Recommends: Sophiatown in Newtown
If you love Newtown like we do and want to know about what’s going down from entertainment to downtown rejuvenation, then visit the official Newtown website – subscribe to the newsletter which updates you on all the news. Click here to zoom there. Always loving Newtown! Check out the list of Newtown restaurants here. Visit the Sophiatown restaurant on the ground floor of the KAYA FM building on Mary Fitzgerald Square. Service is still getting there and the menu was still en route when we went but the decor is stunning and the vibe on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is great. Chilling out in the city having a glass of great wine and watching people go by! Thanks to Lungi and Shereen for the intro and one of the best afternoons in Newtown. From the Newtown site: “Located at No. 1 central Place, Sophiatown is set to be another huge attraction in the Newtown Cultural Precinct. The atmosphere at Sophiatown is laid back and stylish, with Jazz and African marimba beats playing while people come together to enjoy a meal with great company or just have a few drinks in the cigar lounge. Sophiatown can seat up to 180 people and is available as a venue for functions.Sophiatown is open during the week from 10am-11.30pm, and on weekends until late. Contact (011) 836-5999 “PIC and words above: http://www.newtown.co.za/ PIC and words...
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