Lefra Productions forerunner to put theatre back on track

After many delays due to the pandemic, playwright Terrence McNally’s award-winning Love! Valour! Compassion! opened at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg recently.

Lefra Productions proudly announced the 25th-anniversary revival of the hit play in 2020 but was forced to postpone the launch of the production on several occasions. What was to be an anniversary production in 2020 will now be a tribute production in 2021 and beyond. Love! Valour! Compassion! is directed by Gregg Pettigrew and produced by Frans Swart and will play in the John Kani at The Market Theatre from November 16 until December 12, with performances from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19:00 and 15:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. For bookings, visit www.LTickets.co.za. For group bookings and more information, phone 011 815 3000 or send an email to tickets@LTickets.co.za

“We decided that this year, come hell or high water or Covid-19, we need to do this play,” said Swart.
“Even when we had to postpone the Cape Town run to February, we decided to push through and to rehearse this production. The theatre has an energy that nobody understands. Suddenly, we had something to live for. Actors, technicians, theatre staff, publicists, barmen, ushers. I am very proud to say this production is really a forerunner in getting theatre back on track.”

Eight men confront their lives, loves and friendships over the three successive holiday weekends at a farmhouse in Duchess County, New York. Winner of the 1995 Tony Award for Best Play. Love! Valour! Compassion! explores the lives, loves and fears of eight gay men in the 1990s.

Throughout the summer, the men’s conversations touch on themes of infidelity, flirting, Aids, skinny-dipping, and questions about life and death.

It’s a comedy about some comparatively privileged gay people in a world whose problems are ultimately shared by everyone.

“I have always said Love! Valour! Compassion! may use eight gay men as its vehicle for the story, but it is a play with a message that truly transcends sexual orientation boundaries,” said Pettigrew.
“It is a play that every human being will take a message from and relate to. I am proud to be heading the production that will carry the blazing torch of hope for the South African entertainment industry to get back to work after going through our own doldrums for so many months.”

Love! Valour! Compassion! is presented with the support of Ambassador Execudrive, Britz Couriers and Removals, Crown National, Hollywood Costumes, Lift, RSG, Rockets Man, Sounds Good, Van Loveren Wines and WS Pianos.

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