Celebrating the 1789 French revolution on stage at Sibikwa  Arts Centre

An opportunity to  engage with Liberty, Equality and Fraternity this July as the world-renowned play ‘1789’ plays at Sibikwa Arts Centre for a limited Season

By CityLife Arts Writer

After six years in the making, Sibikwa Arts Centre in association with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Théâtre du Soleil finally bring Ariane Mnouchkine’s epic theatre piece “1789” to life on stage in Johannesburg in 2023 – with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Institute in Paris and the City of Paris.

For this production, veteran directors (and founders of the Sibikwa Arts Centre), Phyllis Klotz and Bra Smal Ndaba have assembled an incredible ensemble cast and crew to bring this historical masterpiece to life at the Sibikwa Arts Centre for a short season this July 14 to 23rd. Tickets are available online at Quicket. Sibikwa Arts Centre is at the corner of Bolton and Liverpool streets in Benoni.

“1789”, so named for the year of the French Revolution, transports its audience to the streets of Paris – to a country in turmoil on the brink of a revolution and follows the journey of a range of citizens and the rise against an oppressive regime in the quest for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The piece opens to the public on ‘Bastille Day’, 14 July, which remains a commemorative celebration on the French calendar, to this day.  

Sibikwa Arts Centre is an award-winning multi-disciplinary Centre of Excellence in South Africa, established in 1988 by renowned playwrights, directors, arts educators and stalwarts, Small Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz. Based in the City of Ekurhuleni, Sibikwa’s vision is of transformed, vibrant and connected communities with access to arts and culture.

“This is not a South African adaptation of a French play”, says co-director Phyllis Klotz. “We’ve chosen to allow the themes of the piece to speak for themselves while staying true to the original work of commentary and satire developed by Ariane Mnouchkine and the Théâtre du Soleil all those years ago. We have no doubt that the audience will feel the echoes of resonance ripple in another revolution.” 

With musical theatre and physical style being part of the common language between Théâtre du Soleil and indeed South African theatre, the creative team features opera stars Lehlongonolo ‘Bapi’ Musa and Bongiwe Musa at the helm of musical direction, and multi-award-winning theatre practitioner Toni Morkel as the production’s movement coach. Wilhelm Disbergen takes on the mammoth task of recreating the look and feel of the streets and people of Paris in 1789 with costume, music and set design. 

The cast features a host of talented musical and physical performers including Joel Zuma, Mlindeli Zondi, Nomsa Mbatha, Khanyisile Ngwabe, Siphiwe Nkabinde, Snenhlanhla Mgeyi, Masiza Mbali and Zevangeli Mamppofu. The cast is joined in chorus by the students at the Sibikwa Arts Centre, who will also be joining a two-week workshop facilitated by Théâtre du Soleil at the Sibikwa Arts Centre during the rehearsal process. 

“We are thrilled to welcome members of Théâtre du Soleil to Johannesburg to explore theatre-making practices with the rich talents that we have at Sibikwa, and in the country”, says Caryn Green, CEO of the Sibikwa Arts Centre. 

This collaboration with Sibikwa Arts Centre, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Théâtre du Soleil also brings with it the École Nomade: a two-week immersive workshop series presented by Théâtre du Soleil from 20 June – 1 July. Six artists from the French avant-garde stage ensemble will share their methodology of collective theatre-making with 50 South African creatives of all ages and interests from all over the country. “We had a huge response to the open call and are pleased that we have been able to accommodate so many delegates from all over Southern Africa. We can’t wait to see what connections and exchanges the workshops bring about”, says Green. 

Sophie Boulé, Cultural Attachée and Deputy Director of the French Institute of South Africa adds “We are proud and excited to help make Phyllis’ dream come true: to bring the Théâtre du Soleil to South Africa and recreate 1789, in the hope that this project will help change lives. It is the first time in its history that the Théâtre du Soleil will be on the African continent. This iconic institution is known in France for its revolutionary theatre techniques that immerse, transport and inspire the cast as well as the audience.”

Following the workshops, it’s straight back to the rehearsal room for the cast and crew to be ready in time to open to the public on Bastille Day, 14 July.

The run will also feature day time performances to accommodate schools – for whom the French Revolution of “1789” is a vital part of the syllabus. Providing learners an opportunity to take their learning off the page and into their lived experience, teachers and learners will receive extensive support material to implement the ideas and learnings from the play further in the classroom, and an informative talk placing the French Revolution in its historical context and in relation to South Africa today.Both school groups and public audiences alike will be enthralled by this immersive experience, that will leave its audience with profound questions about democracy, an appreciation of the power of unity and, hopefully, a desire for further debate.  

Vive la révolution!

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Production Credits

Produced by Sibikwa Arts Centre in association with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Théâtre du Soleil, with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Institute in Paris and the City of Paris.

Collective creation by Théâtre du Soleil, directed by Ariane Mnouchkine

Translation by: Amélia Parenteau

Directed by : Phyllis Klotz and Smal Ndaba 

Musical Direction: Lehlogonolo Bapi Musa and Bongiwe Musa 

Movement Direction: Toni Morkel 

Costume, Lighting and Set Design: Wilhelm Disbergen 

Production management: POPArt Productions 

Staging support: Dominique Jambert and Omid Mahmood Shah from Théâtre du Soleil

Cast: 

Siphiwe Nkabinde 

Mlindeli Zondi 

Khanyisile Ngwabe 

Nomsa Mbatha 

Masiza Mbali 

Joel Zuma 

Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi

Zevangeli Mampofu 

and the Sibikwa Inclusive Creative Arts Programme students: Derick Mokone, Fihliwe Madisa, Given Mayisela, Lehlogonolo Kganane, Lesego Thabethe, Luyanda Masilela, Manqoba Ndlangamandla, Mpho Mnisi, Mzimase Mashiqa, Sandile Dhladhla, Sanelisiwe Mlkhaliphi, Slindile Mdlankomo, Thato Moeketsi, Thato Segodi, Tshepiso Ndlovu, Vuyokazi Boqwana and Zamokuhle Thwala

DATES: 

Tues, 11th & Wed, 12th July at 3pm – Preview performances 

Friday, 14th July at 7pm – Public Performances  

Saturday 15th July at 3pm – Public Performances

Sunday 16th July at 3pm – Public Performances 

Saturday 22nd July at 3pm – Public Performances 

Sunday 23rd July at 3pm – Public Performances 

(Book online via Quicket https://qkt.io/1789)

Wed 19th July: 11am & 2pm – Schools Performances

Thurs 20th July: 11am & 2pm – Schools Performances

Friday 21st July: 11am & 2pm – Schools Performances

(Book direct via popartjhb@gmail.com)

TICKET PRICING: 

R 50 – Preview Performances 

R 70 – Schools Performances and Block Bookings 

R 100 – Public Performance only 

R 200 – Public Performance and a light French meal 

R 300 – Public performance, light French meal and return transport from Rosebank mall (only 15 available per show). 

Tickets available: via Quicket: https://qkt.io/1789