Local Artists Tackle the Challenge of Forgiveness in a World Divided with Athol Fugard's PLAYLAND

Internationally acclaimed South African playwright Athol Fugard tackles the subject of apartheid head on in his gripping drama, Playland. Playland begins on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 7pm, and opens on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7pm. For ticket arrangements, contact playlandphilly@gmail.com.

Producer and Director C. Ryanne Domingues chose to produce this play, "in light of this country's current political and social climate." She added that she "felt the need to produce a play that is about acceptance, forgiveness, and respect. However, I also thought it was important to show that these three things are incredibly difficult to achieve, both for ourselves and for others. The act of obtaining them takes great sacrifice, self reflection, and sometimes painful honesty."

Playland takes place outside of a small Karoo town on New Year's Eve, 1989. It is near the end of apartheid, and shortly after The South African Border War, a conflict known as the South Africa's Vietnam because of the traumatic effect it had on the psyche of its people. The play follows the story of two men from opposite sides of the conflict. "I have learned a lot about what it means to forgive by reading this play, and think it is an important piece that will surely promote active dialogue between audience members," says Domingues. Joining her are long-time Philadelphia actors Mark Cairns (seen in various productions at The Wilma Theater, The Lantern Theatre, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Theatre Exile, and Commonwealth Classic Theatre) and Richard Bradford (who has acted with Iron Age Theatre and Curio Theatre). "Mark and Rich have a fantastic chemistry onstage. I think their connection is going to build upon what will be a very exciting night of theatre."

About the Playwright:

Athol Fugard is an internationally acclaimed South African playwright whose best-known work deals with the political and social upheaval of the apartheid system in South Africa. He was educated at the University of Cape Town. His plays include The Captain's Tiger, Valley Song, My Children! My Africa, A Lesson from Aloes, The Island, and the award-winning Sizwe Banzi is Dead. Mr. Fugard has received six honorary degrees from esteemed colleges and is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. Photo by Gregory Costanzo.

C. Ryanne Domingues is thrilled to be back in Philadelphia and directing at the Drake. Before heading out West to attend graduate school, Ryanne was a founding member of Simpatico Theatre, where she held the position of Producing Artistic Director for five years and directed a variety of shows, including Stop Kiss, Angels Fall, Getting Out, Long Days Journey Into Night, and Pyretown. She has also worked with a number of other Philadelphia companies including The Wilma Theater, InterAct Theatre Company, and Plays & Players Theatre, among others. Other credits include work with New Musicals, Inc., California Shakespeare Theatre, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Little Fish Theatre Company, SkyPilot Theatre Company, and Utah Shakespeare Festival. Ryanne was a participant in the 2008 Lincoln Center Director's Lab in NYC, and completed her MFA in Directing at the University of California, Irvine. www.ryannedomingues.com

Playland's cast includes Mark Cairns as Gideon le Roux and Richard Bradford as Martinus Zoeloe.

The artistic team includes Set Designer Arnel Sancianco, Lighting Designer Daniel Schreckengost, and Sound Designer Joshua Boden. The production's stage manager is Stephanie Sintef.

All tickets are $15 and are available by visiting www.playlandphilly.bpt.me, or by paying cash at the door of the theater, located at 1512 Spruce Street (Hicks Street entrance) in Philadelphia.

New Year's Eve. 1989. South Africa. A black night watchman is preparing for his shift at a small, shabby travelling amusement park encamped outside a Karoo town. A white former army noncom approaches the park preparing for a night of celebration. As the new decade begins, the two men are forced to confront the future, while struggling to forgive the past. From the internationally acclaimed South African playwright Athol Fugard, Playland is a microcosm of the political and social upheaval of the apartheid system drawn out as two men try to learn what it means to walk side by side.

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