Stellar cast visits disturbia

Straight from its success at the 2014 Edinburgh Assembly Fringe Festival, Aubrey Sekhabi's high-octane, action-packed thriller Silent Voice is currently being staged at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio until 1 November at 20h15 nightly.

Nominated for five Naledi Awards earlier this year (for best production, best director, best ensemble production/cutting edge, best score/arrangement/adaptation and best lighting design), the play has been performed to great acclaim at the South African State Theatre, the Market Theatre and most recently the Edinburgh Assembly Fringe Festival.

The production received a five-star accolade from the British Theatre Guide, which described it as "a deceptively clever theatrical piece": "It is a gripping story of four men on the run after a botched robbery that turns into murder, with some meaningful and realistic commentary about life in modern-day South Africa. As their plans begin to unravel, the audience is brought into the midst of the action as they become pawns in a high-stakes fight for survival."

Affectionately known as the Quentin Tarantino of township theatre, Aubrey Sekhabi is the artistic director of the State Theatre in Pretoria and a highly respected theatre-maker.

"The characters in Silent Voice affirm that dreams built on broken morals become broken dreams," says Sekhabi. "Violence breeds violence. Often it seems so far removed from us because we only read about it or see it on the news. Each time I go back to this play I try to get into the hearts and the silent thoughts of the characters so as to somehow understand their actions."

The cast comprises television, stage and film stars Presley Chweneyagae (well-known for his role in the Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi), Zenzo Ngqobe (Rhythm City, Tsotsi, Black Diamond), Boitumelo Shisana (Cards, Hillside, Tshepang), Tshallo Chokwe (Bopha, Woza Albert) and Don Mosenye (Coolie Odyssey, Generations). Chweneyagae will take over the role from Chokwe from 27 October to 1 November.

There is an age restriction of 14 years due to language and violence. Booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.

Photo by Sanmari Marais.