Wits Theatre is proud to present the So Solo 2017 Festival which runs from 27 September to 8 October.
Now in its fourth year, the much-acclaimed festival has become an annual barometer of the predominant undercurrents within South African society.
Established by Gita Pather, director of Wits Theatre in 2013, the So Solo Festival celebrates the one-person play and offers audiences a diversity of thought provoking theatrical experiences from some of South Africa’s most talented actors.
This year’s chosen plays allow audiences to immerse themselves in the stories that reflect the diversity of experience and reality.
“The solo performer has become a form that many artists have chosen to use, largely because of the economics of the arts,” explained Pather.
“Despite major funding to the performing arts, very little of this trickles down to the individual artist, who now makes work that can tour festivals and other venues without huge expenses related to major travelling costs. The So Solo is a response to that trend.”
Pather said solo performers delve deeply into themselves to create performances that reflect the ‘overt and subliminal dilemmas of a country wrestling with multiple demons’.
Identity is a predominant theme at this year’s festival with 12 actors interrogating personal histories, values and aspirations against the volatile turbulence of a society in flux. Each production is different, its creative form reflective of the amazing talent that epitomises the performing arts in South Africa.
“South Africa’s narrative is a diverse, multi-hued one, and outside the main theatres and cities, it is vital that we have a lively arts scene that forces us all to question our society. So Solo is a much-awaited festival because it spotlights the individual voice.”
As a university that offers a performing arts degree, Pather said she hopes to ensure that So Solo profiles both the university and the phenomenal talent that it helps shape by its presence.
Read: Peoples Theatre presents Beneath African Skies
“I do think that we are in trouble as a country, and our hard-won democracy is threatened by corruption and state capture. I think artists, more than any other social force, have the ability to make us think and, hopefully, impact and change our society,” she concluded.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Full price online – R75
Full price at Box Office – R80
Pensioner, Wits staff and student discount online – R60 on presentation of ID document or valid student card or R65 at Box Office on presentation of ID document or valid student card.
Tickets are available at www.webtickets.co.za or you can book online or through any Pick n Pay store.
Wits Theatre Box Office: 011 717 1381.
