Freedom returns to State Theatre
Freedom returns to State Theatre Ursula
A musical production, Freedom, is returning to stage at the South African State Theatre to tell the story of what occurred during the #FeesMustFall campaigns in 2015 and 2016.
The State Theatre said the musical is this year scheduled to hit the stage from 30 April to 2 June.
The musical was written and directed by multi-award-winning playwright and State Theatre’s artistic director, Aubrey Sekhabi.
“The world premiere of Freedom, which took place in 2018, was hailed by audiences as a true dramatisation of what exactly occurred during the #FeesMustFall campaign. Many students retold their emotional account every time they attended the show,” said Sekhabi.
The musical is made up of a cast of 47 members and a 13-piece band which tells the story of Phindile, who is played by Simphiwe Ndlovu.
In the play, Phindile is a Tshwane University of Technology student and leader of the #FeesMustFall movement. Her life takes a sharp turn after student protests at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
The play shows how what started as students’ pleas for free education gets distorted by xenophobic attacks and various crimes committed by elements claiming to be part of the movement, but Phindile stops at nothing to fight for the freedom of students and her own.
The story also examines the violent crime that is rife in modern-day society, such as rape, women abuse, racism, xenophobia, corruption and police brutality, which are testimonies of the cost of freedom of the people.
It retells stories of young women like Frances Rasuge, Reeva Steenkamp and Karabo Mokoena, who suffered abuse and perished in the hands of their boyfriends and men in society.
Tickets for Freedom are priced from R100-R300 and are available at Webtickets. The show has a 13 - age restriction. For schools and group bookings, patrons can contact the theatre’s sales office on 012 392 4000 or visit: www.statetheatre.co.za