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.

 

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Photos

These photographs take you on a journey from the very beginning of rehearsals, through to the final stages of the production.

 

REHEARSALS

Photo 03 of iKrele leChiza 2022 led by the cast on morning of 2022-02-01
Photo 03 of iKrele leChiza 2022 led by Babalwa Makwetu on morning of 2022-02-11
Photo 01 of iKrele leChiza 2022 led by Mandla Mbothwe on afternoon of 2022-02-15
Photo 03 of iKrele leChiza 2022 rehearsal led by Mzo Gasa on morning of 2022-03-04
Photo 02 of iKrele leChiza 2022 rehearsal led by Jennie Reznek on morning of 2022-03-07

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FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL

Photo 01 of iKrele leChiza 2022 final dress rehearsal on 2022-03-28
Photo 25 of iKrele leChiza 2022 final dress rehearsal on 2022-03-28
Photo 50 of iKrele leChiza 2022 final dress rehearsal on 2022-03-28
Photo 98 of iKrele leChiza 2022 final dress rehearsal on 2022-03-28
Photo 120 of iKrele leChiza 2022 final dress rehearsal on 2022-03-28

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Videos

These videos provide snapshots into the rehearsal process.

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Cast