This will be followed by performances in Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

Rhetorical is a kind of rhetorical analysis of Thabo Mbeki’s legacy through some key events during his presidency and some of his most famous speeches. The play explores Mbeki’s art of persuasion (and lack of) and attempts, at the same time, to satirically represent the effect of his policies and style of governance on normal day to day citizens of the New South Africa. The premise of the story is a “narrative presentation of Mbeki’s days in high office as told intriguingly and effusively by a colourful and fictional youth leader, Dada Mokone (based on real-life firebrand ANC Youth League president, Julius Malema)”.

Rhetorical, originally commissioned by Siemens Foundation, was first staged at the Market Theatre in November 2011 before going to Belgium and Germany and then returning to play in South Africa at The State Theatre in March 2012.

Following on heels of Rhetorical will be the exciting allegorical fable, Vampire, which will start in June in Witbank. In a village called Masawu there has been an old age war between humans and the vampires who live in the caves on the outskirt of the village. But, recently there has been a tentative peace set in a place by an accord and a segregation official agreement. This was threatened when the human king’s daughter, Napo, falls in love with the vampire king’s son, Matome. Napo is betrothed to be married to Chris, a favourite of the human king and a guard on a special king’s guard trained to kill the vampires.

When Chris finds out about Napo and Matome, his scheming brings everything to a head and threatens a war that will obliterate all the humans. Vampire will also be performed in Mafikeng, Grahamstown and Polokwane.

Aubrey Sekhabi’s Silent Voice will follow in July at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

Four men get together for an intelligent but highly dangerous heist. From there the events that follow are more in the style of a robbery procedural as the play explores how and why things go wrong and philosophically examines the tattered dreams and beliefs of the robbers. The play deals with themes like trust, greed, sacrifice and friendship. Peppered with ironic cultural undertones, it is about the relationship between man and his dreams to obtain wealth at all costs.

Silent Voice, featuring the likes of Presley Chweneyagae, Zenzo Ngqobe, Boitumelo Shisana and Thato Moraka will also be performed in Mafikeng and Witbank.

Tours schedule:

Rhetorical
Thursday, 9 to Saturday, 11 May in Mafikeng;
Thursday, 16 to Saturday, 18 May in Bloemfontein;
Thursday, 23 to Saturday, 25 May in Port Elizabeth; and
Tuesday, 2 to Sunday, 7 July in Grahamstown.

Vampire
Thursday, 6 to Saturday, 8 June in Witbank;
Tuesday, 2 to Sunday, 7 July in Grahamstown;
Thursday, 15 to Saturday, 17 August in Mafikeng; and
Thursday, 22 to Saturday, 24 August in Polokwane.

Silent Voice
Tuesday, 2 to Sunday, 7 July in Grahamstown;
Thursday, 18 to Saturday, 20 July in Mafikeng; and
Thursday, 25 to Saturday, 27 July in Witbank.