A theatre production by Stellenbosch University (SU)’s drama department had to be rescheduled after SU’s new Covid-19 regulations for the June/July examination period forced the production to close after the opening night.
The SU drama department’s first show of At her feet, directed by Mmstumisang Motsisi, a junior drama and theatre studies lecturer at SU, was on 10 June.
This was according to Mareli Pretorius, chair of the drama department at SU. “The production was showcased for one evening at the Adam Small theatre complex,” said Pretorius.
Pretorius, however, confirmed that the SU drama department has the performance rights to nine more productions of At her feet which will be showcased during SU’s second semester. Dates for the new shows are yet to be confirmed.
Chloe van Rensburg, a third-year drama and theatre studies student at SU, prepares for the final dress rehearsal of At her feet. Van Rensburg portrays the character of Auntie Kariema. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
The SU production of At her feet
At her feet was written by Nadia Davids, a South African playwright and lecturer at the University of Cape Town, in 2002, said Motsisi.
“The production is important for the department, especially for women of colour because they are represented on stage,” stated Kayla van der Merwe, a honours drama student at SU.
The production consisted of eight female cast members, seven of whom are women of colour. These eight cast members are split between six characters who portray the story of a Muslim girl in South Africa. The plot is set around the time of the 9/11 attacks in the United States of America (USA), stated Motsisi.
Kayla van der Merwe, honours drama student at SU, explained the impact of the SU Covid-19 restrictions that were implemented on 10 June. She also expressed her excitement that At her feet will be able to continue during the second semester.
“The play consists of many performative elements,” said Motsisi. “There are songs, monologues, and physical elements. It is immersive theatre, which lets the audience move with the cast from setting to setting.”
The cast does not perform in one fixed space. Multiple spaces are utilised and the audience physically moves with the cast from one set to the other, according to Motsisi.
“The SU drama department attempts to produce a variety of different performance styles every two to three years in order for students to gain exposure,” said Pretorius.
The play localises the discrimination South African Muslims undergo, and the stereotypical notions towards Muslims are broken down within the text, stated Van der Merwe. Numerous South African languages are also incorporated within the script, with English, Afrikaans, Kaaps and Sepedi languages spoken within the play, she said.
Abigail Jonkers, honours drama student at SU, plays the character of Aeysha. The cast is required to perform with masks on due to Covid-19 regulations as well as the audience’s involvement within the performance, stated director Mmstumisang Motsisi. “The audience is taken on a journey through immersive theatre. Each audience member can take something away with them from this production,” said Motsisi. PHOTO: Heléne Leonard
Nadia Davids, playwright of At her feet, said that she is delighted that the SU drama students can experience her play.
“I hope that the students have found the process a happy, productive and engaging one,” stated Davids.
Young voices
“It is exciting to have young and new voices in the department. Mmtumisang Motsisi joined the drama department during 2020 with At her feet being her first big production at SU,” stated Pretorius.