Minister Mthethwa to speak at the 40th Anniversary of the Market Theatre, 40 years of story telling
Arts and Culture Minister Mr Nathi Mthethwa will on Tuesday, 09 February 2016 deliver an address to kick-start the first in a series of milestones marking the 40th anniversary of the Market Theatre. Minister Mthethwa will speak, preceding the opening performance of the first production for the year, “A Raisin in the Sun,” written by Lorraine Hansberry, directed by James Ngcobo and presented in association with the United States Embassy.
As an associated institution of the Department of Arts and Culture, the Market Theatre celebrates its 40 years of existence with a full gamut of theatre programming.
Established within weeks of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, the Market Theatre came to symbolise the struggle for freedom. During the dark days of the apartheid regime, the theatre represented a ray of hope and the microcosm of what South Africa could, and finally did, become. It was the creative crucible for indigenous South African work and artists. For nearly two decades, the Market Theatre was a beacon of light that brought the story of South Africa to world stages and won many accolades for its courage, commitment and artistic integrity. Fearless in its stance the Market Theatre stood for democratic principles, for freedom of choice, for dignity and self-esteem and gave a vitally important voice to the black community. Today it is still viewed as a ‘theatre of the people’.
The Market Theatre’s core business has been the staging of productions that break down the barriers of culture and race, thus fostering a cohesive society. From the early landmark plays of Athol Fugard, John Kani, Barney Simon, Zakes Mda and Matsimela Manaka, among others, the Market Theatre has produced plays of outstanding quality and content for both the local and international stage.
To date, the Market Theatre has won 296 national and 39 international theatre awards for the artistic quality of the work it produces and the calibre of the writers, directors, actors and lighting, set and costume designers it engages with.
As part of the 40th anniversary milestone of South Africa’s most iconic theatre in June 2016, the Market Theatre has lined-up several key productions that will be staged throughout the year and further announcements will be made.
Members of the media are invited as follows
Date: Tuesday, 09 February 2016
Time: 18h30
Venue: Market Theatre, Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg.
RSPVs: Madimetja Moleba, MadimetjaM@dac.gov.za; cell: 072 842 6594
Baile Maunye,
E-mail: bailem@dac.gov.za
Cell: 071 047 6770
For enquiries, contact:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
E-mail: LisaCo@dac.gov.za,
Issued by the Department of Arts and Culture
