SUITS Star Gabriel Macht Visits SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at the Baxter Theatre

Taking in the sites and sounds of Cape Town, SUITS star Gabriel Macht, better known as Harvey Specter, was spotted snapping a photograph at the Baxter Theatre with actor Atandwa Kani after Kani's performance in SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD.

In a press conference that followed his attendance at the show, Macht gave a shout out to Kani and described him as an amazing actor. Macht said that he had seen a lot of theatre productions across the world, and that Kani's acting was phenomenal, adding that he would love to work with Kani one day.

Kani, who has also been seen at the Baxter in THE MISER, HAYANI and THE TEMPEST, is currently onstage alongside Mncedisi Shabangu (FISHERS OF HOPE, TSHEPANG) in this new produciton of this classic South African play, following its resounding success in the United States earlier this year. An award-winning theatre classic about the universal struggle for human dignity, SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD tells the story of a black man in apartheid-era South Africa tries to overcome oppressive work regulations to support his family. This soaring and personal production premiered at the Market Theatre last year before transferring to the Syracuse Stage theatre in New York.

Forty years since John Kani and Winston Ntshona won the Best Actor Tony Award for their performances in the play, which they co-created with Athol Fugard, and nearly a decade after the two theatre veterans reprised their roles at the Baxter in 2006, John Kani returns as director, with his son in the role which he made famous. Of the play, the the triple Honourary Doctorate recipient says:

SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD became a statement that articulated the anger of black people against these laws. It's about the universal struggle of identity, of the dignity of the human being, and respect for humanity. Winston, Athol and I were like Drs Frankenstein creating a monster that has occupied our lives for more than four decades. When Syracuse and Princeton Theatres asked me to revive this production I was very elated. It gave me the opportunity to work with younger South African actors who not even born when this play was first staged.

Booking for SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD is online through Computicket, by phone on 0861 915 8000, or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted corporate, schools or block-bookings, charities or fundraisers, contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962, email or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993. The production closes on 12 September.

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