iKrele leChiza ...the sermon
About
Revenge and Restoration
A revisiting and reinvestigation of iKrele leChiza (2020/2021) for the stage.
This is the third iteration in the development of this production. The first iteration was severely impacted by the Covid pandemic, and resulted in the pivot towards the second iteration in the form of an audio sonic journey and an episodic video collection as an output of the rehearsal process. For this third iteration, the production is being envisioned to finally be presented on stage to a live audience, and includes a larger chorus comprising the Magnet Trainee cohort of 2022.
iKrele leChiza [The Sword of the Herb]...the sermon, a production directed by Mandla Mbothwe comes to Magnet Theatre for a limited season. This profound new work tells the story of a family trapped in liminal spaces between life and death and is told by a stellar cast of contemporary artists and the next generation of SA performers in their final year on Magnet Theatre's full-time training and Job Creation Programme. UCT's CTDPS (Centre of Theatre Dance and Performing Studies) and Magnet Theatre's iKrele leChiza...the sermon is part of the ReTAGS project. A production of ritual, song and magic realism, it stirs up a dreamlike state of spiritual ecstasy much like a sermon.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Mandla Mbothwe
Musical Director: Babalwa Makwetu
Choreographer: Mzokuthula Gasa
Movement Direction: Jennie Reznek
Set and Costume Design: Linda Mandela-Sejosingoe
Production Manager/ Lighting Design: Themba Stewart
Stage Manager/Technician: Mluleki Titi
Poster Design/ Photography: Rob Keith
CAST
Luphawo: Thando Doni
Mesuli (Luphawo’s sister): Indalo Stofile
Luphawo and Mesuli’s mother: Babalwa Makwetu
Their father: Lulamile Bongo Nikani
Nkenqe (trickster story-teller) : Emmanuel Ntsamba
Nongoma (guardian of the ancestral realm): Nomakrestu Xakatugaga
Sandisemvumo: (Nongoma’s partner/ guardian of the ancestral realm): Nceba Gongxeka
The Village: Bongani Dyalivana, Bulelwa Mbalo, Buhle Stefane, Gabriel Buis,
Khaya Magansela, Kuhle Myathaza, Lindokuhle Melaphi, Mihlali Bele, Moluphi Lepeli,
Nosiphiwo Ndabeni, Olwethu Qavile, Siphenathi Siqwayi, Sipho Kalako, Thabo Mkenene, Wendy Mrali.
Rehearsal Schedule
You can navigate the two month rehearsal schedule to see what took place during a specific part of the rehearsal process.
Photos
These photographs take you on a journey from the very beginning of rehearsals, through to the final stages of the production.
REHEARSALS
FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL
Browse all final dress rehearsal photos
Videos
These videos provide snapshots into the rehearsal process.