Francesca Villette and
Jessie Clarke-McLeod
ARTSCAPE will celebrate Women’s Month by showcasing the theatrical work of trailblazing women in the arts and culture industry.
The ninth annual Women’s Humanity Arts Festival takes place from August 6 to 9.
Artscape director Marlene le Roux said to drive social cohesion, challenges still prevalent in communities will be addressed through various forms of art, debate and stage performances.
Three theatre works will be presented during the festival.
Actress Denise Newman is to perform Cold Case: Revisiting Dulcie September, which is about the life of ANC activist Dulcie September who was assassinated in 1988.
Actress Elsabe Daneel will perform Bittersoet, which follows five different women, juggling curveballs life has to throw at them.
Written by Peter Voges and directed by Sandra Temmingh, Henrietta, With Love, will make its debut.
The story follows Henrietta as she explores different kinds of love, her cultural identity and her place in the world.
Newman said she was honoured to have been invited to perform at the festival.
“I am passionate about history and theatre, which should be used more to tell stories of the past. August is a month to celebrate women and humanity,” Newman said.
Daneel said women still often got dealt a bad hand, were exploited more than men and often intimidated.
Artscape has partnered with a number of organisations, including the Black Sash, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Long-time Black Sash member Mary Burton will launch her book and showcase a photo exhibition.
Le Roux said society could change, and the festival was conceptualised using the framework of human rights in South Africa.
It was open to anyone who wished to attend.
“The festival is about deconstruction and looking at the way forward for our communities who are sometimes under siege,” Le Roux said.
“Its about all our challenges that we have in our society.
“You can have all the commissions and all the trophies, but at the end it’s about whether human rights filters through to the communities that really need it.”
Western Cape Religious Leaders Forum member Jerome Francis acknowledged the achievements of women and the plight they faced in society today.
“We remain deeply concerned about the atrocities that so many women and children experience on a daily basis in our homes and society,” Francis said.
“This festival provides opportunities for grassroot organisations from rural and urban, rich and poor, and especially traditionally marginalised groups such as people with disabilities to come and showcase their work and participate in the activities of the Artscape.”
Visit www.artscape.co.za for more information.