TV star takes to Durban stage for one-woman play
The play premiered at the 2022 National Arts Festival to rave reviews.
A TESTIMONY shared by a woman living at a Durban hostel is the inspiration behind Isidlamlilo – The Fire Eater, a one-woman play coming to the Durban stage soon.
The play runs from November 4–9 at the Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus.
Presented by Empatheatre in association with the National Arts Council and The National Arts Festival, Isidlamlilo is brought to life by acclaimed actress Mpume Mthombeni who plays Agatha on eTV’s Durban Gen.
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The script, written by Standard Bank Young Artist award-winner Neil Coppen, in collaboration with Mthombeni, is based on a range of testimonials shared with them during their research alongside the Durban University of Technology’s Urban Futures Centre (UFC).
Isidlamlilo tells the death-defying life story of Zenzile Maseko, as she rents a cramped room in a Durban women’s hostel. Maseko, a 60-something grandmother, is haunted by her past working as an IFP assassin (fire-eater) in the build-up to the 1994 elections. When Home Affairs mistakenly declares her dead, she is driven to desperate measures to prove she is still alive.
Bookings
Isidlamlio showings are at 19:00 on November 4, 5 and 8 – 14:30 on November 6 and 11:00 on November 9. The performance is 80 minutes long, and there is an age restriction of 13+. Tickets are R130. Bookings through Computicket or call 0861 915 800. For school and community theatre bookings contact Margie at 083 251 9412.
