Press: Basson’s macbeth.slapeloos at the Baxter this February for 3 weeks only!

Marthinus Basson’s epic South African adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth, macbeth.slapeloos, featuring a star-studded cast, will be performed in Afrikaans with English surtitiles, at the Baxter Theatre for three weeks only, from 4 to 21 February at 7.30pm nightly.

Three of the doyennes of Afrikaans theatre - Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Jana Cilliers and Antoinette Kellermann star with Dawid Minnaar in the title role. The rest of the ensemble comprises Stian Bam, Charlton George, Ludwig Binge, Edwin van der Walt and Senzo Madikane. The production is designed and directed by Basson, with a superb translation by Eitemal. Hugo Theart produces macbeth.slapeloos with lighting design by Albert Snyman and choreography by Estelle Olivier.

The play is presented by TEATERteater, widely regarded as one of the most prolific independent South African theatre companies, who, in recent years, have also produced award-winning productions such as Die kortstondige raklewe van Anastasia W, As die Broek Pas, Op Dees Aarde and Klaasvakie.

macbeth.slapeloos has already amassed nine awards and several nominations at various festivals which include the Clover Aardklop National Arts Festival, the KykNET Fiesta Theatre Awards and the KKNK. It received awards for best actor (Dawid Minnaar), best actress (Anna-Mart van der Merwe), best supporting actor (Charlton George), best director, best design and best production, amongst others. In 2014 it played to great acclaim at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

Nigel Vermaas for the festival daily Cue said, “It is brilliant theatre … a dream production” and Christina Kennedy for Business Day agreed, saying “The cream of the crop was Marthinus Basson’s exceptional rendering of ‘the Scottish play’ … it illuminated the beauty of Shakespeare’s prose.” Johan Myburg for Beeld described it as a “powerful production and feather in the cap for director Basson”. Diane de Beer from The Star Tonight went further by saying, “Those of us who witnessed what this wise wizard of magical storytelling pulled out of his hat, again, feel blessed.”

The production was originally commissioned by Clover Aardklop in celebration of director and designer Marthinus Basson’s contribution to South African theatre.

macbeth.slapeloos is the final production in the Baxter’s Afrikaans season, supported by KykNET. There is an age restriction of 14 years.

Booking for macbeth.slapeloos is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.com or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted corporate, schools or block-bookings, charities or fundraisers, contact Sharon on 021 680 3962, email sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen on 021 680 3993, email carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.