Director: Thembela Madliki
Stage Manager: Siphosethu Balakisi
Music Director: Zanethemba Mdyogolo
(Not) A Place of War (2022) was commissioned by the Rhodes University Drama Department. The production was devised in collaboration with a cast of vibrant Rhodes University drama students. The work borrows text and imagery from Mia Couto’s novel Sleepwalking Land to tell the story of a war-ravaged Africa. The story is told through the perspective of a young refugee girl whose enthusiasm for storytelling allows her the opportunity to escape from her harsh reality.
Aaliyah Linkov
Lulibo Makhalima
Swelihle May
Hlumela Mpiti
Naledi Chuwe
Teresa Willoughby
Tshepo Masangane
Aliya Ashton
Simbiso Chuma
“What is a story? A story has a beginning, middle and an end. A story takes you into a different world and paints a picture. A good story contains a moral lesson, loveable characters; characters the audience can relate to and resonate with.” This sentiment set the stage for the recently-performed lyrical production (Not) A Place of War, created by Rhodes University drama alumna Thembela Madliki in collaboration with her cast. This opening line glued the audience to their seats in anticipation of the promise of a ‘good story’. Directed by Thembela Madliki, the play is performed by Siphosethu Balakisi and Xolela Kenene who play Thando and her older brother Luntu, respectively. While trauma and memory are the overt themes... Read more
Banoyolo Sicwebu Rhodes