Set in Lesotho and addressing issues of corruption and greed, Zakes Mda’s classic story has been revived in the upcoming play The Mother of all Eating.
The latest adaptation of this classic will be directed by Makhaola Siyanda Ndebele and promises to stick to the original story by the acclaimed Mda.
The reading of the upcoming play took place at Constitutional Hill and tells the story of a man, aptly titled The Man, caught up in the vicious cycle that is corruption and greed.
The main character will be played by seasoned actors Jerry Mntonga and Mpho Osei-Tutu.
Acclaimed actor and artistic director at the Market Theatre, James Ngcobo praised Ndebele’s revival, saying that it felt like the right kind of project to pursue in 2014.
“As the theatre, we would like to do more plays of this nature and stage them in similar spaces such as Constitutional Hill,” Ngcobo said.
He mentioned that the play was the first of its kind and hoped this would pave the way for similar productions in future.
Ndebele explained that despite the temptation to adapt the story, he decided to stick to the original script.
“Although the play is set in another country and a different time, it still speaks to issues of corruption and greed, and we wanted to stay true to Mda’s story,” he said.
The Mother of All Eating will run from 14 May to 1 June at the Market theatre.
