Written and directed by Brett Mitchell and Kate Hillhouse, the play aims to prompt audience members to step out of their comfort zones and act against social injustice. The cast includes young Port Elizabeth performers Rebecca Wood, Phiwe Phekana and Phumelela Mekuto.

The full proceeds from the production, which will be staged at the Little Theatre as part of Pemads' social outreach programme, will go towards building a library in Walmer Township to help educate and inspire children who live under extremely difficult conditions.

After the performance, there will also be an auction of a painting titled 'Wash Day – Ujongilanga', donated by artist Sue Pienaar, with all funds raised going to the library fund. The painting forms part of her ongoing 'Wash Day' series, which has already sold to individuals as far afield as Mozambique, United Kingdom, Australia and Poland, and patrons at the show will be invited to participate in the auction to raise further much-needed funds.

Working closely with Izizwe Projects, Screaming Petunias selected two cast members from Izizwe’s Walmer Township dance crew for the play.

During recent service delivery protest riots in the township, however, rehearsals were briefly disrupted, since the two young dancers were unable to attend - yet another reminder of the pressing need to help those in need, even if that upliftment initially comes only from within the pages of a book promising a life beyond that existing in the present day.

Based on the success of this presentation of Screaming Petunias, The Ulongilanga Foundation and Izizwe Project hope to present it in Cape Town and Johannesburg in September.

Tickets are priced at R50 and are available from Izizwe Project’s offices at 68 Kragga Kamma Rd, Sunridge Park, Port Elizabeth, and Fogarty’s Bookshop in Walmer Park Shopping Centre.

For further information, contact Kate Hillhouse on 072 130 0295 or email her katehillhouse@gmail.com.