Winner of four
Fiesta awards, the play was also nominated for Best Theatre production, Best Actor and Best Director at the
KKNK Kanna Awards in 2012. The production boasts theatre favourites Wilhelm van der Walt, Charlton George, Brendon Daniels and Leon Kruger as prison gang inmates.
Set in the confined space of prison life,
Rooiland tells the stories of personal battles which prison gangs encounter on a day-to-day basis, and the conflicts that arise among these groups. The realism of prison life and the personal history which these four gang members share, become weapons of protection among each of them as they struggle for private space in a cramped cell.
In the midst of all the drama, the production gives an insider’s view on the criminal justice system of the country, the mythology surrounding prison gangs and the underlying issues of criminality and the politics that come into play.
Jaco Bouwer was awarded South Africa`s most promising young director in 2008. During that year he also received the Standard Bank
Young Artist Award for Drama for his complete oeuvre. One of the productions which he directed at the 2013
KKNK festival,
Balbesit has been nominated for six
Kanna Awards.
The production is performed in Afrikaans and Pomobasa (prison language). The musical score is composed by award-winning Braan du Toit, and technical guidance is by Wolfie Britz and Juanita Ferreira. It also has an age restriction and is not suitable for children under the age of 18.
Rooiland previewed at the Baxter Flipside on Wednesday,10 April at 20:15, opened on Thursday, 11 April and runs until Saturday, 27 April. Ticket prices are R90 from Tuesdays to Thursday, and R120 on Fridays and Saturday.
Bookings is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at
www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite Checkers outlets. For discounted group block-bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or email
[email protected] or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email
[email protected].