Rehearsals for August Wilson’s Fences in full swing for Black History Month
August Wilson is the most performed playwright in America today.
Rehearsals for August Wilson’s Fences, featuring Dr John Kani, have begun at the Joburg Theatre in anticipation of Black History Month.
The play will run on the Nelson Mandela Stage after the final dress rehearsal on February 1.
Preview shows will run from February 2 to 4, and the main staging of Fences will run from February 5 to 26.
With an all-star ensemble led by Kani, Fences is a 1985 play and the sixth instalment of Wilson’s 10-part Pittsburgh Cycle.
It is an emotional tale of a family headed by Troy (Kani) and his wife, Rose (Khutjo Green).
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They navigate the hurdles that surround them with their son Cory (Atandwa Kani), Troy’s son from a previous relationship, Lyons (Hlomla Dandala), his brother, Gabriel (Sbusiso Mamba), and his best friend, Jim Bono (Tumisho Masha).
Fences explores the evolving African American experience while examining race relations and other themes that resonate with what South Africa experienced during apartheid and into democracy and has been celebrated over the years.
Wilson, the African American playwright often called “theatre’s poet of Black America”, is best known for his remarkable works on the 20th-century African American experience, including Fences, Piano Lesson, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Pittsburgh Cycle.
Two of these works earned him Pulitzer prizes for drama, namely Fences in 1987 (which also won a Tony Award that year) and The Piano Lesson in 1990.
“August Wilson is the most performed playwright in America today. Most of his plays have been adapted into great movies, including Fences, directed by and starring Denzel Washington. Viola Davis won an Oscar for best actress for playing Rose.
“It is so fitting that the Joburg Theatre celebrates this great writer during Black History Month. Would it not be wonderful if we, in South Africa, could also have a season in all theatres celebrating our writers as well?” asked Kani.
Joburg Theatre Artistic Director, James Ngcobo, enthused: “We are honoured to present August Wilson’s iconic Fences in celebration of Black History Month next month.
“We urge patrons to follow our social media platforms for ticketing information and come out in large numbers to this presentation of an authentic Pittsburgh story.”
Book tickets through www.webtickets.co.za.
The production team:
• Playwright: August Wilson
• Artistic Director: James Ngcobo
• Director: Ricardo Khan
• Assistant Director: Rorisang Mothuba
Cast:
• Dr John Kani (Troy)
• Khutjo Green (Rose; Troy’s wife)
• Atandwa Kani (Cory; Troy and Rose’s son)
• Hlomla Dandala (Lyons; Troy’s son from a previous relationship)
• Sbusiso Mamba (Gabriel; Troy’s brother)
• Tumisho Masha (Jim Bono; Troy’s best friend)
Social media handles:
Twitter: @joburgtheatre
Facebook: Joburg Theatre
Website: www.joburgtheatre.com
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