AS THE Market Theatre awaits the much-needed funding from the National Lotteries Distribution Board for its 2011 artistic programme, the theatre has caused ripples in the industry with the launch of three fully-booked shows within a week.
The theatre kicked off its artistic programme, the funding of which can only take it to April and thereafter has to rely on its expected funding from the Lotto, by launching Songs of Migration last Tuesday, Sizwe Banzi is Dead on Wednesday, and Sunjata on Friday. All shows were fully booked.
Sunjata and Sizwe Banzi is Dead are African classics that have come to be celebrated throughout the world as an example of African excellence in theatre.
Sunjata, which is adapted from a play set in Mali, is directed by James Ngcobo, who is increasingly making a name for himself for adapting and modernising African classics.
Sizwe Banzi is Dead, written by John Kani, Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona, is directed by promising playwright Vice Motshabi.
Songs of Migration has been co-created by Hugh Masekela and James Ngcobo, who also directs it.
And as expected the three theatre venues at the Market Theatre were packed on Friday. If there was an example of why this historic institution should get the necessary funding from Lotto, which is reportedly sitting on billions of rands waiting to be given to arts projects such as theatres, this was it.
Artistic director Malcolm Purkey confirmed to Sowetan that the Market Theatre would need funding that it has applied for from the Lotto to be able to continue producing work beyond April.
The theatre's artistic budget can only take the theatre as far as April, and thereafter its funding for more programmes is uncertain, according to recent media reports.
Purkey did not dispute these reports when he briefly spoke to Sowetan on Friday.
While the theatre would need funding to put up plays on its stages, operational costs covering administration costs such as rental fees and salaries are taken care of as these are paid for by the Department of Arts and Culture, which funds all cultural institutions for such costs under the current legislation .
Stage set for the Market Theatre
AS THE Market Theatre awaits the much-needed funding from the National Lotteries Distribution Board for its 2011 artistic programme, the theatre has caused ripples in the industry with the launch of three fully-booked shows within a week.
The theatre kicked off its artistic programme, the funding of which can only take it to April and thereafter has to rely on its expected funding from the Lotto, by launching Songs of Migration last Tuesday, Sizwe Banzi is Dead on Wednesday, and Sunjata on Friday. All shows were fully booked.
Sunjata and Sizwe Banzi is Dead are African classics that have come to be celebrated throughout the world as an example of African excellence in theatre.
Sunjata, which is adapted from a play set in Mali, is directed by James Ngcobo, who is increasingly making a name for himself for adapting and modernising African classics.
Sizwe Banzi is Dead, written by John Kani, Athol Fugard and Winston Ntshona, is directed by promising playwright Vice Motshabi.
Songs of Migration has been co-created by Hugh Masekela and James Ngcobo, who also directs it.
And as expected the three theatre venues at the Market Theatre were packed on Friday. If there was an example of why this historic institution should get the necessary funding from Lotto, which is reportedly sitting on billions of rands waiting to be given to arts projects such as theatres, this was it.
Artistic director Malcolm Purkey confirmed to Sowetan that the Market Theatre would need funding that it has applied for from the Lotto to be able to continue producing work beyond April.
The theatre's artistic budget can only take the theatre as far as April, and thereafter its funding for more programmes is uncertain, according to recent media reports.
Purkey did not dispute these reports when he briefly spoke to Sowetan on Friday.
While the theatre would need funding to put up plays on its stages, operational costs covering administration costs such as rental fees and salaries are taken care of as these are paid for by the Department of Arts and Culture, which funds all cultural institutions for such costs under the current legislation .
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