US Mission and Market Theatre will commemorate Black History Month with a month-long run of Paradise Blue.
The US Mission to South Africa announced its support, through a grant of $100,000 (R1.4-million), for the production of Paradise Blue at the Market Theatre from January 31 to March 1. To commemorate Black History Month, recognised each year in February, the US Mission partnered with the Market Theatre in Johannesburg to deliver high impact and thought-provoking theatre to South African audiences.
This year marks the fifth anniversary of this collaboration initiated by the Market Theatre’s artistic director James Ngcobo in 2016.
Paradise Blue is a dynamic and jazz-infused drama by award-winning African American playwright Dominique Morisseau about what’s at stake when building a better future.
The play captures the yearning of individuals side-lined by life into the role of second-class citizens living and working in a black neighbourhood on the cusp of obliteration as part of the city’s plan to eliminate “blight.”
The characters face issues that will resonate with South African audiences and enlighten them to the similar struggles faced by low-income inner-city communities.
The Market Theatre’s production of Paradise Blue features a stellar cast of leading South African actors with Aubrey Poo in the leading role of Blue, supported by a strong cast of Pakamisa Zwedala and Seneliso Dladla as his fellow band members P-Sam and Corn. Busisiwe Lurayi will play the naïve Pumpkin and Lesedi Job the threatening Silver.
Performances will take place in the John Kani Theatre at the Market Theatre on Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm.
Go to www.markettheatre.co.za
