Musical explores African spirituality

31 May 2018

The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Department of Performing Arts (Musical Theatre) will stage Ngoma: The Musical based on Ngoma dza Dzivha Fundudzi (Drums of the Water Spirits – tales of Vhavenda mystical deities and legends of sacred spaces), at the Breytenbach Theatre from 13 – 23 June. 

In a modernising Afurika, it is essential that storytellers forge modern mythologies and legends that embody the essence of our ancient traditions and ethos with intensions of placing our Africanness at the centre of our progressive Afrocentric discourse. 

Ngoma: The Musical explores African spirituality and the seat of power in the traditional Vhavenda society. The production challenges the current status quo in which “African” performances are perceived as chaotic, unstructured, uncouth, discipline deficient, shallow in detail and erratic, even by the Africans themselves. 

The production unearths the meticulous patterns, rhythms, poise and principles of Vhavenda’s cultural essence as an embodiment of African aesthetics comprised of surreal visuals of expressive stylized acting, symbolic and illusory dance and movement formations, and cathartic sounds of African voices and instruments.

The Breytenbach Theatre is situated in Gerard Moerdyk Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria.

For bookings, please phone 012 382 2630/082 884 8946 (during office hours) or email breytie@tut.ac.za or visit www.tut.ac.za/faculties/the-arts/breytenbach-theatre/online-tickets.

For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology, please contact Willa de Ruyter, Corporate Affairs and Marketing.
Tel: +27 12 382 5352   Email: deruyterw@tut.ac.za