Andrew Buckland to Bring LAUGH THE BUFFALO to Baxter Theatre, 16 Oct - 30 Nov

South African theatre legend Andrew Buckland and the Baxter Theatre Centre present the world premiere of Laugh The Buffalo, a new solo production from this internationally acclaimed theatre icon. It will be performed from 16 October until 30 November at 8.15 pm in the Golden Arrow Studio.

Buckland, who received a Standard Bank Standing Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival this year in recognition of the significant and long-standing contribution he has made to the theatre industry, once again teams up with the award-winning director Janet Buckland for his first brand-new work in a number of years. He was last seen on the Baxter stage in 2010, in a celebratory season of three of his works. Laugh the Buffalo is the chance for Cape Town audiences to catch this unique performer fresh from his success in Grahamstown with two of his earlier works, Hoss (for Ubom!) and Crazy in Love (for Conspiracy of Clowns).

Laugh the Buffalo promises his characteristic combination of visual comedy, sophisticated political satire and a dark consideration of the human condition, presented in his arresting signature style of physical theatre, clowning and mime with serious doses of joy, to create a stimulating and explosive theatre experience.

In a quest to protect state security, an agent of the secret police is sent on a mission to hunt down and contain the damage caused by a whistle-blower. The suspect is hiding out on a ten-day silent-meditation retreat in a remote location along with fourteen other people. The agent joins the course and, in silence, must identify the whistle-blower and eliminate the infectious spread of the state secret. Unfortunately the agent is also a fool with the deep wisdom of an idiot, and when the course is disrupted by the arrival of the Buffalo God he must adapt to his new circumstances. Finally, on the last day when they are allowed to speak, the agent is asked a question that changes everything. Laugh the Buffalo is a darkly comic energetic response to notions of secrecy and the protection of state information.

"We are honoured to welcome Andrew Buckland back to the Baxter stage, to present the world premiere of his latest production," says Lara Foot, director and CEO of the Baxter Theatre Centre. "Andrew is one of South Africa's most exciting, pioneering and breathtaking theatre makers who is not afraid to take risks and push boundaries in creating new work."

For more than thirty years, Buckland has been at the forefront of theatre development, and has worked as a performer, director, writer and educator, across theatre, TV and film. His original plays have won a total of twenty national and interNational Theatre awards and his array of accolades includes three Scotsman Fringe First awards at the Edinburgh Festival, a Standard Bank Young Artist Award, a Silver Ovation Award and numerous Fleur du Cap, Naledi and Vita Awards. In addition to his extensive credits of original productions and classical roles, Andrew has performed with the prestigious Cirque du Soleil as Sgt Pepper in their production Love, and has, since 1980, lectured in the Drama Department at Rhodes University, later becoming an Associate Professor.

Laugh the Buffalo will be performed from 16 October to 30 November at 8.15 pm in the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio with a matinee on Saturday 26 October at 2 pm.

Tickets cost R100 for the matinee, the preview on 16 October and Monday performances, when patrons can enjoy a light meal in the Baxter restaurant included with their ticket. Tickets for performances from Tuesday to Thursday cost R130 and on Friday and Saturdays they cost R150. Tickets for students, senior citizens and block bookings of ten or more are R100 (Tuesday to Thursday only).

Bookings can be made at Computicket 0861 915 8000 , online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet countrywide.

Photo by Paul Greenaway