Pictured above: 'Heart of Redness' cast members on opening night. Photo courtesy Magnet Theatre.

Cape Town audiences were treated to a spectacular production of ‘Heart of Redness’ in late August. Directed by Professor Mark Fleishman, this musical is based on best-selling author Zakes Mda’s novel of the same name, which has also been shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Writers Prize. What makes the 2015 production particularly memorable is that a number of University of Cape Town drama and music (opera) alumni were in the cast, alongside Magnet Theatre graduates.

The novel, ‘Heart of Redness’ tells the story of a young man named Camagu who returns to a post-apartheid South Africa (after living in exile in America) to settle in Johannesburg. Disillusioned and unable to find a job, Camagu decides to move to the remote Eastern Cape village of Qolorha, where he becomes involved in a village dispute over plans to build a new casino. The 14-member cast featured UCT alumni: Mthunzi Mbombela; Tina Mene; Simphiwe Mayeki; Indalo Stofile; Sivenkosi Gubangxa; Palesa Malieloa; Pelisa Myendeki; Khanyiso Gwenxane and UCT drama lecturer Mfundo Tshazibane. Additional members included Magnet Theatre graduates Lubabalo Nontwana and Luvo Tamba; Imbawula Theatre Company’s Khayelethu Anthony and Cape Town Opera singers Nkosana Stimela and Miranda Tini. 

Magnet Theatre is a Cape Town based physical theatre company that has operated for the past 27 years in South Africa and internationally. It has a rich association with the University of Cape Town through Professor Mark Fleishman, its co-artistic director and, a number of Magnet Theatre staff members are also UCT alumni.

‘Heart of Redness’ ran from 19 – 22 August in The Fugard Theatre. Author Zakes Mda attended opening night and was pleased with the musical interpretation of his work. Of his novel Mda says: “What fascinates the readers is to see the parallels between the historical period and contemporary South Africa, which lead to the conclusion that the past is always a strong presence in our present.”