Last chance to see new smash hit before Grahamstown
Acclaimed London Road for two nights only at Villa Pascal
The acclaimed new South African play, London Road, will be performed for two more nights only before it makes tracks for Grahamstown.
Lara Bye’s production of this tender, funny story about a friendship between two women from diverse backgrounds, will be performed at Villa Pascal on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June.
Written by rising Cape Town playwright, Nicholas Spagnoletti, and further developed for the stage in collaboration with director Bye and actresses Robyn Scott and Ntombi Makhutshi, the much-lauded London Road has been taking the Cape Town theatre scene by storm. The production premiered at the Kalk Bay Theatre and was consequently invited to The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.
The performances by Robyn Scott as the elderly Jewish widow, Rosa, and Ntombi Makhutshi as the young Nigerian, Stella, have been described as ‘phenomenal’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘a tour de force’. The rave reviews have included: “…feels like a little miracle.” (The Next 48 Hours); “….simply brilliant… radiates beauty and empathy.” (Sunday Independent) ; “Die 36-jarige Scott in die rol van die bejaarde Rosa Kaplowitz is verbysterend… Makhutshi is pragtig en het ‘n sterk teenwoordigheid op die verhoog.” (Die Burger) and “The humour is gentle, the drama and pathos understated … brought to life by two formidable stage talents …” (Sunday Times).
“Having presented London Road on the Cape Peninsula and in Cape Town, we are excited to be bringing it closer to audiences in the Northern Suburbs,” says producer Simon Cooper.
On the surface, Stella and Rosa Kaplowitz have nothing in common other than the block of flats in which they live in London Road, Seapoint. Stella is a young Nigerian woman living in a damp, converted storage room. Long distant family, dodgy gangsters and a sense of survival makes her very mistrusting of the gestures of strangers. Rosa is an elderly Jewish widow living in a flat on the fifth floor. Her children and grandchildren live overseas so she keeps herself occupied by becoming very involved in the business of her neighbourhood.
After an act of violence, these two women find themselves stranded together and take comfort in the common themes they realise unite them: absent men, scattered families, broken relationships and a dark sense of humour.
The original script by Nicholas Spagnoletti won the Audience Choice award at the PANSA new South African Playwriting competition in 2007. The award-winning technical team that has helped bring the production to life include Craig Leo designing set props and costume with Lara Bye; Faheem Bardien creating the lighting design, and original sound from Braam Du Toit.
London Road will be performed at Villa Pascal on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June at 19h00. Doors open at 18h00 and patrons are invited to bring their own drinks and a picnic basket.
Tickets cost R110, with a discount of 10% for groups of 10 or more. Students with valid student cards can buy tickets at the door 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance, subject to availability, for R75.
To book contact 021-975 2566 or visit http://www.villapascal.co.za
PG 13 Language
*Join London Road on Facebook: “London Road” or visit www.londonroad.co.za
Production information:
Production: London Road, presented by KBT Productions
Written by: Nicholas Spagnoletti and developed for the stage with the director and cast
Directed by: Lara Bye
Venue: Villa Pascal
Dates: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June
Cast: Robyn Scott and Ntomboxolo Makhutshi
Set, props and costume design by Craig Leo and Lara Bye
Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien
Original Sound by Braam Du Toit
Original Set Concept: Lara Bye