ASKARI a riveting and invigorating political thriller will transfer to the Market Theatre after another successful season at the South African State Theatre from Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 October 2022.
Sello Maseko has a knack for crafting tightly-paced action sequences while keeping the tension throughout the show. Telling stories about freedom fighters does not begin with ASKARI for Maseko. He is the writer and director of the play Angola Camp 13, which recounts the betrayal amongst struggle heroes when in exile.
The play received eleven Naledi Award nominations and won six which included best production of musical, best director of musical and best choreography in 2020.
ASKARI is a story of freedom fighters and community activists who are turned to be deadly assassins, double agents, informers and intelligence analysts. It tells the story of men and women who infiltrated organized civic movements and student organisations for recruiting unsuspecting youth and influential leaders. This story interrogates the decisions that led to their choice of turning from community activists to mass killers. The story goes deep into the personal account of these individuals who administered pain, fear and death. These stories of betrayal, death, redemption, and forgiveness are captured through dazzling music, dance, and powerful storytelling.
This action packed production is based on real events, the action-packed political thriller relates the story of freedom fighters who were double agents, informers and intelligence analysts, and deadly assassins for the Vlakplaas counterinsurgency unit that specialised in executing and torturing anti-apartheid activists
The play seeks to honour the struggle heroes who died in the torture chambers of Vlakplaas and also reconcile the nation.
Presented by the SAST in association with Mantimakhulu PTY LTD and the Market Theatre, the production takes a musical play format with captivating choreography being accompanied by score from a six-piece band featuring Nhlapo and Cromwell Modungwa as Musical Directors. Original cast members including Abongile Matyutyu (as Thomas Maseko), Soyiso Ndaba (Boboza Khumalo), Monica Muller (Marita Swanepoel), and Kagiso Matlala (Thembi Madida) reprise their roles as Actor Wilf Mahne assumes the villain character of Gert Swanepoel.
ASKARI is a pulsating political thriller filled with high action, impeccable visual aesthetics and its hugely entertaining production that you cannot afford to miss!
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PRODUCTION INFORMATION:
Writers Sello Maseko and Mdu Nhlapo
Director Sello Maseko
Musical Directors Mdu Nhlapo and Cromwell Modungwa
Choreographer: Mdu Nhlapo
Set Designer: Masai Sepuru
Performers:
Wilf Mahne (as Gert Swanepoel)
Abongile Matyutyu (Thomas Maseko)
Soyiso Ndaba (Boboza Khumalo)
Monica Muller (Marita Swanepoel)
Kagiso Matlala (Thembi Madida)
Nhlakanipho Mkongi (Thembi Madida)
Teboho Tladi (Kedibone Modiga)
Boipelo Charlotte Mokaila (Thokozile Madida)
Muzi Masikane (Askari)
Sibonelo Mchunu (Askari)
Thabiso Mfusi (Askari)
Season: Thursday 20 – 23 Sunday 2022
Venue: The John Kani
Performance times: Thursday – Saturday @19h00 and Sunday @15h00
Ticket prices: Thursday R90
Friday – Saturday R150
Sunday – R130
