Auditions for musical, iLembe

Auditions will be held from 7 to 12 October, from 9.30am to 16.30pm at The Playhouse in the Arts Administration building, Rehearsal Room A1.

iLembe will be staged at the Playhouse in April and May 2014 as part of The Playhouse Company’s New Stages season. iLembe is a potent drama depicting the last few months of the reign of King Shaka before his death.

For many years the earliest writings about Shaka by white traders and officials remained unquestioned because of the acceptance of the written word. It took many years for the oral tradition to gain respect.

These two perspectives, written and oral, are often contradictory and have set up contested positions around the famous warrior. Contradiction and tension are the hallmarks of good drama and iLembe promises to entertain while provoking food for thought. The story will be told via the perspectives of four individuals.

The musical will be written and directed by Smal Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz. These two playwrights and directors have received Naledi Life Time Achievement Awards and have been acknowledged by The Star newspaper as being among the top ten contributors in South Africa to the performing arts.

The music for the production will be composed by Themba Mkhize, two time SAMA award-winner and a respected South African musician.

Auditions are for male dancers between the ages of 20 and 30 years who can sing and have training in contemporary and African dance. The dancers are required to prepare a short dance piece and a song.

The directors are looking for three women who have some storytelling experience and are above 35 years old to sing and play traditional South African bow instruments. The traditional musical instruments must be brought to the audition. These candidates are required to prepare a song and a story.

A female actress, above the age of 30 who can play Shaka’s half-sister, is also needed. Actresses auditioning for this role will need to prepare a short monologue and tell a story.

A young male actor between the ages of 22 and 30 to play Henry Fynn, an Englishman who came to the Cape Colony in search of opportunity and adventure who arrived at Shaka’s kraal is sought. This candidate should prepare a short monologue and tell a story.

Aspirant performers must have professional experience. Contact Phyllis Klotz on 011 422 4359 or email phyllis@sibikwa.co.za by Friday 4 October no later than 12pm to book your audition slot.