UNDERMINED to Run 9 April - 3 May at Kalk Bay Theatre

UNDERMINED, a new production presented by KBT Productions and Here Manje Productions, directed by multiple award-winning Tara Notcutt, premieres at Kalk Bay Theatre from 9 April until 3 May.

Written by Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Luke Brown, UNDERMINED mashes up comic book, African storytelling and choreography by Mkhwanazi and Cleo Notcutt to tell the true tale of Madlebe, an ordinary man with an extraordinary gift, who came from Mozambique to find a job and take a better life home to his father and wife to be. However, his unique talent of a finely tuned sense of hearing leads to some interesting developments along the way. Told against the backdrop of urban Jozi and the deep of the mines, it is a story of hope, perseverance, and an unexpected hero. Stefan Erasmus joins writers Mkhwanazi and Brown to perform the play.

Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi trained locally and internationally and his illustrious career has spanned performing, writing, composing, choreographing and devising theatre performances and educational programmes. He has worked with some of South Africa's top companies, including Theatre for Africa, Sakhile Theatre Company (of which he is a founder member), FTH:K, Third World Bunfight, Artscape and Siyasanga Cape Town Theatre, where he was Roy Sergeant's joint artistic director. Mkhwanazi has toured the SADC regions, the US, England, Europe and Asia, performing and facilitating theatrical workshops and he has helped build four theatres. His extensive list of credits include CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY; NOW NOW; THE BIRD; ORPHEUS; NGUNI: THE LOVE STORY; THE DIARIES OF DIESEL DU TOIT; SUBJECT TO CITIZEN; MAMA THEMBU'S WEDDING; MY LOW-FAT ALMOST ITALIAN WEDDING and A MAN AND A DOG, for which he received a Fleur du Cap nomination.

Capetonian Luke Brown received his training in film and theatre from AFDA. Brown works and has training in various disciplines in the arts, both in front and behind the line. Brown founded Here Manje with Mkhwanazi and Samantha Davies in 2013. A previous work, BELOW MY FEET, which he co-directed with Ciara Baldwin is completing a three year run around South Africa this year with Arts Education and Assitej.

Stefan Erasmus trained at UCT and has been directed by Sandra Temmingh, Geoffrey Hyland and Luke Ellenbogen. In 2012, he worked with Philip Rademeyer, in one of two starting productions for Rust Co-Operative, playing Anna Jones in LIE. Stefan has worked with exciting theatremakers such as Roy Seargent, Kim Kerfoot and Gabriella Pinto.

Director Tara Notcutt is a seasoned and internationally acclaimed director and producer, and artistic director of The Pink Couch. The many productions she has worked on have toured around South Africa and abroad with much success. ...MISKEIN and THE THREE LITTLE PIGS have both been performed in Perth and Amsterdam and been invited to New York, the latter winning the Silver Award for Best International Production at the Amsterdam Fringe. Notcutt's numerous credits include MAFEKING ROAD; WHATWHAT; ILLUSIVE; THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING) and A TOWN CALLED FOKOL LUTHO.

Following its run at Kalk Bay Theatre, UNDERMINED will be performed at Princess Alice Hall as part of Cape Town Edge at the National Arts Festival. "We are proud to be premiering this new South African production on the Kalk Bay Theatre stage," says Kalk Bay Theatre owner, Simon Cooper. "It is a touching and inspiring story, told in a fresh, fun and fast-paced way, creating a delightful and unique theatre experience."

UNDERMINED will be performed at Kalk Bay Theatre on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 April to 3 May at 8pm. Tickets cost R80 and R70 for Gallery seats. Guests can enjoy a delicious supper before the show. For information and to book a table for dinner, call 079 361 8275.To book tickets for the show, visit www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za.