Endorsed by the Western Cape Education Department, Amaza forms part of the Artscape educational youth development programme that aims to promote social cohesion, good citizenship and empowerment through the arts.

Amaza (a prescribed book for Grade 12 learners) by ZS Qangule has been adapted into a fully-fledged isiXhosa play by Thokozile Ntshinga using professional artists to capture the essence of the book. It is in its fourth consecutive season and is aimed at Grade 12 isiXhosa learners from the greater Cape Town area, who will get the opportunity to experience the play in their own language and further equip them with essential skills to become performers. The two hour play will once again be presented as a full stage production. Over 5700 learners from 60 previously disadvantaged schools and the general public saw the production in 2013.

“The purpose of the educational programme is to assist grade 12 learners academically by presenting plays which are taught as literature on a theatre stage, therefore putting it in its intended setting,” says Marlene Le Roux, director for Artscape Audience Development and Education. “We will also be introducing learners to theatre and drama production of a high quality, thereby building the audience of the future,” concluded Le Roux.

Amaza is an 18-cast member thriller set in a rural village in the Transkei. A police detective stationed in Port Elizabeth is investigating a private and personal matter. This case takes him back to the village where he and the woman he married came from. His visit there coincides with the double funeral of a couple that were mysteriously murdered in Johannesburg. Adultery, deceit and lies are just some of the ingredients of this intriguing tale. His investigation takes him to Johannesburg, then to Swaziland and back to Port Elizabeth. As he is trying to solve the mystery, he stumbles across the evidence he was looking for in the first place.

Performance Dates:

- Monday, 5 May at 10:30;
- Tuesday, 6 May at 10:30;
- Thursday, 8 May at 10:30 and 19:30;
- Friday, 9 May at 10:30 and 14:00;
- Monday, 12 May at 10:30 and 14:00;
- Tuesday, 13 May at 10:30 and 14:00; and
- Wednesday, 14 May at 10:30 and 14:00.

For more information on production and ticket bookings (at R40 per person), phone Nolan Africa on 021 410 9927 or email [email protected].

To book, phone Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695 or visit www.artscape.co.za. Alternatively, phone Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.com.