Double Bill of CHOMI and UNDONE Next Up in Artscape Spring Drama Season

CHOMI and UNDONE are the next two plays in the tenth anniversary edition of Artscape's much anticipated annual Spring Drama Season, presented as a double bill on alternate nights from 21 October to 1 November. The Spring Drama Season commenced on 2 October and runs until the end of November, featuring four diverse plays and two showcases at the Artscape Arena Theatre.

CHOMI, written by Pfarelo Nemakonde, directed by Motlatji Ditodi and designed by Alfred Rietmann, is set in Johannesburg and follows the lives of four black openly gay 20-something men. Thabang an extroverted accountant, Sicelo a therapist, Percy who plans to renew his wedding vows to his partner and Rudzani, an artist battling to find himself. The play follows their unique personalities, their trials and tribulations and their greatest challenge - being themselves. Tragedy strikes the four friends and this throws them into turmoil forcing them to, through each other, face their inner demons. Provocative, honest and funny CHOMI is a definite must-see that seeks to not only explore the modern black gay man's life, but also to entertain. The age restriction for CHOMI is 18. Actors featuring in the play are Mandisi Sindo, Anele Situlweni, Yanga Mkonto, Thabang Sidloyi, Sipho Mahlatshana and Robert Haxton.

UNDONE by Wessel Pretorius is a bewitching and sensual story of a boy and his dysfunctional family, in which Pretorius portrays numerous roles. Both poetry and comedy abound in this physical performance interlaced with sensuality, religion and literary references that make the play highly accessible. Awards received include Best Drama production at Woordfees in 2012; Best Actor at Aardklop in 2012; Best New Afrikaans Production, Best Solo Show, Best Actor and Most Promising Newcomer at the Fiesta Awards in 2013; and a Gold Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival. Nominations include Best Actor at KKNK in 2013. The play is translated by Hennie van Greunen, directed by Wessel Pretorius and designed by Alfred Rietmann, and has an age restriction of 16LVN.

The Spring Drama Season forms part of the Artscape's New Writing Programme that is devoted to the professional writing and production of new South African plays. The programme receives more than 50 unsolicited scripts per year from playwrights writing in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. Once a play has been identified as having promise, the playwright works with an editor and director to undertake rewrites and the play may then be given a showcase performance or a performed reading. If well received, it is considered for a full production. The 2014 line up for the Spring Drama Season boasts stimulating and varied productions from across the country, providing a platform for new local talent to exhibit their work alongside some of the most esteemed theatre makers in the industry. This year's programme began with the selection of plays chosen by Roy Sargeant, who founded the Artscape New Writing Programme, including THE GARAGE SALE, which is currently running and ends on 11 October; CHOMI, UNDONE, and the showcase INGUBO EMHLOPHE. The programme was then extended to include RETURN OF THE ANCESTORS by Mike van Graan, the Associate Playwright at Artscape, and a showcase of NDITHUNGILE SELANI, which forms part of the newly introduced Artscape isiXhosa Classics, which are theatrical adaptations of isiXhosa novels.

Tickets for the much anticipated tenth Artscape Spring Drama Seasion are available via Computicket outlets and 08619158000 or 0214217695. Special discounts are available for block bookings of 10 or more, pensioners, students and scholars (aged 16 to 18). Please note that both CHOMI and UNDONE have high age restrictions.

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