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Afrovibes Festival

AFROVIBES: NO BORDERS
Cutting edge and confronting theatre, dance and visual arts from South Africa

The Afrovibes Festival visits the UK for the first time this autumn via UK Arts International.

The full programme for 2010 will feature four major performances:

Welcome to Rocksburg: A new play by Paul Grootboom which premiered at 2009’s National Arts Festival, Grahamstown and a gritty, unsentimental view of life in the townships today. Grootboom is one of South Africa’s most important theatre makers. Described as the ‘Township Tarantino’, his critically acclaimed Township Stories toured the UK for 12 weeks in 2006. Rocksburg is a original South African "action play" in the grand tradition of Hollywood action movies.

A Face Like Mine: Another Grahamstown premiere from the Baxter Theatre exploring the fragmented perceptions of black femininity. The piece delves into complex questions about culture and identity observing the subtle relations and tensions between black women and white men. As well, A Face Like Mine touches on black on black prejudices. Renowned producer Lara Foot Newton joined forces with creator Asanda Phewe, University of Cape Town's Best Theatre-Maker of 2008, to premier A Face Like Mine at the Grahamstown Festival in 2009.

Ncamisa! The Women: A one woman play exploring the fallout of being a lesbian in Khayelitsha Township, on the outskirts of Cape Town. Directed by Peter Hayes and performed by Pam Ngwabeni, this play depicts a world of light living and deep passion, casual violence and serious relationships, woven together with soccer and song.

Via Volcano - Mzobane In association with Breaking Cycles: A new breed of dancers from Kagiso township who add modern twists to the traditional township dance of pantsula - A dance that fuses breaking, with hip-hop and tap. A co-commission with Dance Umbrella SA, this new piece is choreographed by William Mbambo and Directed/Dramaturged by British hip-hop theatre artist Benji Reid - An exciting collaboration which brings a new dance form to the UK and developes a link with the UK’s hip-hop theatre audiences in the process.

The Fringe Festival will consist of a programme of work from UK Artists; artist talks, debates, masterclasses and workshops with the visiting South African artists, with opportunities to engage and debate with their UK counterparts. A full programme of more informal events will also take place in the township cafe space.

The core festival programme will also provide the opportunity for wider venues to benefit from the festival visiting the UK. Some performances will tour out to other venues across the UK for one-off satellite festival appearances.

-ENDS-

For full information about Afrovibes 2010 Core & Fringe Festival visit www.ukarts.com

For press and promotional enquiries contact Anna Goodman at abstrakt@abstraktpublicity.co.uk or 0207 834 0440

Note to Editors

Box Office: 0121 333 2444 www.the-drum.org.uk
Tuesday 12th October 7.30pm & 8.45pm - Double Bill of A Face Like Mine followed by Ncamisa! Kiss the Women
Wednesday 13th October 7.30pm & 8.45pm - Double Bill of A Face Like Mine followed by Ncamisa! Kiss the Women
Thursday 14th October 7.30pm – Via Volcano
Friday 15th October 7.30pm – Via Volcano
Saturday 16th October 7.30pm – Welcome To Rocksburg
Sunday 17th October 6pm – Welcome To Rocksburg