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Mark Dornford-May

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Mark Dornford-May Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director

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BWW Review: Isango Ensemble's THE MAGIC FLUTE, Presented by ArtsEmerson

ArtsEmerson continues its tradition of hosting world-class theatre pieces in Boston by presenting Isango Ensemble's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. The troupe, comprised of 21 black South African musicians, alternates nebulously between delivering recitative, dancing ebulliently, and playing marimbas, rawhide drums, and an eclectic mix of instruments in the on-stage orchestra. Upon entering the Cutler Majestic, the fusion of cultures is jarringa?'- an exposed stage behind an opulent proscenium arch is interrupted by simple structures of distressed wood and corrugated steel panels. The (predominantly white) audience is immediately won over by the novelty of hearing Mozart's iconic overture played entirely on wooden marimbas. The expertise of the musicians in questiona?'- as percussionists, vocalists, actors, dancers, et. ala?'- is reason enough to reserve tickets, and as the novelty of hearing western music arranged on djembes and glass bottles wears off, the precision of the performances continues to impress.

South Africa's Celebrated Isango Ensemble Returns To Boston With THE MAGIC FLUTE

ArtsEmerson will welcome back the Isango Ensemble with their re-imagination of Mozart's classic opera, The Magic Flute, as the first of five reprise productions in its 10th Anniversary Season. The internationally celebrated group of Cape Town artists and musicians return to take on the beloved and timeless tale with marimbas, oil drums, inventive design, and bold energy, as a young prince tries to win the love of a princess whose mother is the Queen of the Night.

New Victory Presents Isango Ensemble's AESOP'S FABLES

Hear the spirited sounds of South Africa in this fall's vibrant staging of Aesop's Fables by the Olivier Award-winning Isango Ensemble at The New Victory Theater from November 1 - 3, 2019. 

BWW Review: Isango Ensemble's A MAN OF GOOD HOPE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

A MAN OF GOOD HOPE reflects the resiliency and creativity of the human spirit at every turn, while giving audiences a taste of Isango Ensemble's original methods of theatrical storytelling.

Chicago Shakespeare Presents Isango Ensemble's Acclaimed A MAN OF GOOD HOPE

Chicago Shakespeare Theater welcomes the Olivier Award-winning Isango Ensemble to Chicago to present its acclaimed production of A Man of Good Hope, based on the book by Jonny Steinberg and adapted and directed by Mark Dornford-May. Vividly told through song and dance steeped in African traditions, the story follows one young Somali refugee's extraordinary odyssey across a continent and his unfailing hope in the face of adversity. The production will be presented for a limited engagement in the Courtyard Theater as part of the WorldStage at Chicago Shakespeare series, October 4a?"13, 2019.

BWW Review: SS MENDI: DANCING THE DEATH DRILL, Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House

Isango Ensemble's SS Mendi: Dancing the Death Drill is a sad lament for needlessly lost lives and a celebration of the cultures from which the men had sprung. And it's ever so emotional.

BWW Review: A MAN OF GOOD HOPE, Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House

Isango Ensemble bring their unique storytelling skills to show us the life of a Somali boy, alone and running away to a place that barely differs from the hell he leaves behind.

BWW Review: A MAN OF GOOD HOPE at ASB Waterfront Theatre

This performance not only circumnavigated around my heart several times but captured it in a willing surrender of raw emotional energy. I have never seen or experienced anything quite like it. The raw, basal emotion that was produced from the carefully crafted vocal sounds was simply incredible; dynamics like I've never seen before. If you can go, you must, if you can't, find a way!

The Royal Opera House Reveals New Linbury Theatre Season

The Royal Opera House today opens the doors to its transformed new home, following an extensive three-year construction project.

BWW Review: SS MENDI: DANCING THE DEATH DRILL, Nuffield Southampton Theatres

Premiering at Nuffield Southampton Theatres' City venue, SS Mendi: Dancing the Death Drill resurrects those lost at sea in a little-known wartime tragedy through a cultural feast of powerful theatre, music and song.

Nuffield Southampton Theatres Present The World Premiere Of SS MENDI: DANCING THE DEATH DRILL

Nuffield Southampton Theatres present the world premiere of SS Mendi: Dancing the Death Drill by critically acclaimed Cape Town-based Isango Ensemble. Part of 14-18 NOW, the UK's official arts programme for the First World War centenary, the production commemorates an untold tragedy from WW1 that took place off the coast of Southampton. Prior to rehearsals beginning Samuel Hodges, Director of Nuffield Southampton Theatres will visit Cape Town where the SS Mendi began its journey. Mark Dornford-May directs the production which opens at Nuffield Southampton Theatres on Wednesday 4 July with previews from Friday 29 June and performances until Saturday 14 July. Dubbed the 'Black Titanic', the sinking of SS Mendi was one of the worst maritime disasters in the 20th century in UK waters.

Isango Ensemble's A MAN OF GOOD HOPE Makes U.S. Premiere Tonight at BAM

In a co-production with the Young Vic-which partnered with Isango on 2014's Olivier Award-winning The Magic Flute-the company adapts for the stage South African native Jonny Steinberg's 2015 book about a Somali refugee's journey from Mogadishu to Johannesburg and finally to the US.

Isango Ensemble's A MAN OF GOOD HOPE to Make U.S. Premiere at BAM

In a co-production with the Young Vic-which partnered with Isango on 2014's Olivier Award-winning The Magic Flute-the company adapts for the stage South African native Jonny Steinberg's 2015 book about a Somali refugee's journey from Mogadishu to Johannesburg and finally to the US.

Musical Adaptation of A MAN OF GOOD HOPE to Play the Baxter Theatre's Flipside Venue

The Young Vic is teaming up with the Royal Opera House, the Repons Foundation and the Isango Ensemble to bring a musical inspired by one refugee's true story to the Baxter Theatre Centre's Flipside venue this August. A MAN OF GOOD HOPE is based on the book by Jonny Steinberg and has been adapted for the stage by the Isango Ensemble under the direction of Mark Dornford-May.

Maurice Hines, Diane Paulus, Jeff Calhoun, and More Lead NAACP Theatre Award Nominees- Full List Announced

The NAACP Beverly Hills/Hollywood Branch's Theatre Viewing Committee announces nominations for the 25th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards. The awards include 32 categories, which encompass local and equity nominations. Winners will be announced in the first quarter of 2016.

Isango Ensemble to Bring Britten's MIDSUMMER Opera to The New Victory Theater

Magic, mischief and music collide to mesmerizing effect when Isango Ensemble's Off-Broadway premiere of A Midsummer Night's Dream: Iphupha lobusuku be-Ntwasahlobo comes to the stage at The New Victory Theater from October 30 - November 8. After a sold-out run of The Magic Flute: Impempe Yomlingo last season, Cape Town's acclaimed opera company returns to the New Vic for a limited engagement of their newest production with the generous support of official Presentation Partner South African Tourism.

Fugard Theatre's A HUMAN BEING DIED THAT NIGHT Begins at BAM Tonight

In this taut 2013 theatrical adaptation of Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela's award winning-book, the apartheid regime's most notorious assassin and head of its death squad, Eugene de Kock (played by Matthew Marsh), sits opposite psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (played Noma Dumezweni) in Pretoria Central Prison in 1997. Gobodo-Madikizela is a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission determined to understand his actions. She questions de Kock, who is sentenced to two life terms plus 212 years for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud.

Fugard Theatre's A HUMAN BEING DIED THAT NIGHT to Play BAM This Summer

In this taut 2013 theatrical adaptation of Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela's award winning-book, the apartheid regime's most notorious assassin and head of its death squad, Eugene de Kock (played by Matthew Marsh), sits opposite psychologist Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (played Noma Dumezweni) in Pretoria Central Prison in 1997. Gobodo-Madikizela is a member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission determined to understand his actions. She questions de Kock, who is sentenced to two life terms plus 212 years for crimes against humanity, murder, conspiracy to murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and fraud.

BWW Reviews: Mozart on Marimbas, Trumpet and Drums Make This South African FLUTE Magic, Indeed

The Metropolitan Opera may have its spectacular Julie Taymor production of THE MAGIC FLUTE, but the real fun in town is the Mozart at the new Victory Theatre on West 42nd Street, where the South African Isango Ensemble is in residence.

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