After its debut in 2014, the So Solo festival of one-person plays is kicking off its second year with 16 diverse theatre pieces by 16 performers, writers and directors.
Established and new talent take to the stages for a month-long feast of theatre. “We have an incredibly rich theatrical tradition in South Africa yet artists struggle to make a living. Theatricals platforms such as So Solo allow us all to participate in understanding and celebrating our own stories,” says festival director Gita Pather.
The So Solo commissioned play this year is titled Penny and aptly depicts the life of a 20-something honours graduate who struggles to find work as a TV and theatre performer. The piece is written and directed by MoMo Matsunyane and performed by Zethu Dlomo, both Wits graduates themselves. “In this play it really is a slice of life imitating art,” says Pather.
Kafka’s Ape, a Silver Ovation Award winner at the National Arts Festival 2015 was adapted by Phala O. Phala and is based on Franz Kafka’s A Report to An Academy. Using physical theatre to tell the story of the central character, Tony Miyambo gives a convincing performance of an ape to human transformation, provoking deep questions about what it means to be a human being.
Johnny Boskak Is Feeling Funny is a comedy which won the Golden Ovation awarded at the National Arts Festival and named the best production of the fringe. Written by Greig Coetzee, Craig Morris performs in this one-hander, a is a spin-off to Coetzee’s successful White Men with Weapons.
In Morwa: The Rising Sun, Tefo Paya portrays a young Motswana man on his journey into manhood. Paya also wrote the play, which is based on his personal experiences as he comes to grips with the challenges faced by young men in Africa. Morwa is directed by Warren Nebe.
These are only three of the 16 shows that will be on at the festival.
“So Solo 2015 features an array of stories and diverse genius, younger and older performers, new as well as tried and tested talent. In that mix and diversity, I have no doubt that audiences will be as in awe as I am of the incredible creativity this line-up presents,” says Pather.
The So Solo plays will be performed in the Wits theatre venues from Friday, 11 September until Sunday, 11 October.
Book online at www.webtickets.co.za or purchase your tickets from box office. The ticket prices range from R70 to R85.
For more information, visit www.wits.ac.za/witstheatre. Alternatively connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.