GALLERY: Pass Over, a global play that resonates with South Africans
Catch the South African premiere of this spectacular drama Pass Over from February 26 to March 28.
The Market Theatre presents Pass Over, written by Antionette Nwandu, directed by James Ngcobo in association with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc. It will make its South African debut from February 26 to March 28.
More about Pass Over
Pass Over explores the unquestionable human spirit of young black men who dream about a promised land and hoping a miracle will happen. Moses and Kitch are struggling to survive in the tough streets of America. A provocative riff on Waiting for Godot, it’s a rare piece of politically charged theatre by Antionette who is a bold new American voice.
Pass Over is staged in commemoration of Black History Month. Although mainly celebrated in America, the play will inspire South Africans to have the tough discourse around issues of common interest like police brutality and white supremacy long after apartheid.
Pass Over stars Charlie Bouguenon, Hungani Ndlovu and Khathu Ramabulana. The trio has been gifted with a challenging task of portraying larger-than-life characters in the play that resemble real-life stories.
Kabomo Vilakazi, or simply known as Kabomo, is no stranger to South African audiences. He joins the creative team of Pass Over as a musical composer. Speaking on his journey for the creation of the music, he had this to say, “I have created music that will help Pass Overturn the volume up on some of the key themes in the play such as brotherhood, black empowerment, self-belief, violence, white privilege fear, trust and trauma.
The music is going to be emotional and the genres I will be dabbling between are rap and jazz chords. This will allow the story to flow uninterrupted.”
Kabomo is best known for featuring in films and television series Zabalaza, Sink and Seriously Single. Apart from acting, he is also a writer, poet, editor, musician, rapper, producer, and artist manager.
James Ngcobo’s passion for working with emerging actors, young designers and for mentoring young industry enthusiasts has yielded impressive results. In Pass Over he chose Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele as assistant director. Sibusisiwe is currently writing for Gomora, a Mzansi Magic Telenovela.
She has written two plays Yini? (What Is It?) and Migration of the Heart. She starred in a lead role on the SABC award-winning edutainment series Intersextions 2 in 2013, had a feature role in Saints and Sinners 1 on Mzansi Magic and starred as a guest presenter on SABC 1’s YOTV Crib Notes.
Pass Over premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in May 2017. The play was recorded live at the Steppenwolf Theatre, adapted for film by co-director Danya Taymor and producer Spike Lee. It premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 20, 2018.
Book your tickets
The show will take place at The John Kani Theatre on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 6 pm and on Sunday from 3 pm.
Tickets cost R90 for shows from Tuesdays to Thursdays, R150 on Saturdays, and R130 on Sundays.
To make block bookings, contact Anthony Ezeoke 011 832 1641, extension 203, or on 083 246 4950.
