Beautiful Things for the Baxter

07 October 2002
AFTER a successful season in New York City, Beautiful Things, written by Selaelo Maredi and starring Maredi and Ramadumtja Rasebotsa, arrives at the Baxter's Sanlam Studio and runs from October 8 to November 26, 2002.

Beautiful Things is the uplifting story about an unusual love between a middle-aged man and a young woman. Noni, played by Ramadumtja Rasebotsa, grew up in a modern society. She meets Muzi, a middle aged man from the old generation who cherishes African culture and traditions. The two struggle to connect with one another in spite of their mutual attraction. Will they fall in love? If they do will their love survive? Their stories come alive with humour and sadness.

Maredi has worked as a playwright, director, composer and actor both here and abroad for more than 30 years. His career started in Alexandra where he wrote and directed plays for youth groups.

He moved to the United States in the late 1970s to perform in the off-Broadway production of Survival and remained there until the early '90s. He worked extensively in the US, where he directed Amandla ka Mandela for the New Federal Theatre, and was a member of the Frank Silvera Writers Workshop in New York. He also served as resident writer and director for the Julian Theatre in San Francisco.

Maredi received a fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts and two citations from the Massachusetts State Senate for bravery and dedication to human rights.

On returning to South Africa, Maredi became the Resident Director at the Market Theatre for 1997. Co-star Rasebotsa first started working with Maredi in 1998 when she was cast in his musical Hell We Can. Rasebotsa has performed for several years, having started her career in radio dramas. She appeared in the staging of Bessie Head's Maru in 1995, and has since worked in theatre and translating for television.

Beautiful Things brings these two actors together to tell a tender story that explores how even unlikely friendships can bridge divides in hard times. The play is performed from Monday to Saturday at 20h15 and prices range from R25 (for students with a valid student card) to R45.

For more information please e-mail Carol-Ann Davids at the Baxter Theatre.

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