theater

THEATER

Flowers for Jimi Solanke

Jimi Solanke, now 80, was one of the key shapers of Nigerian theater and television in the second half of the last century. He is finally getting his due.

A hopeful song about Sierra Leone

A new film, "Sing Freetown" (director: Clive Patterson) and accompanying theater project from Sorious Samura and Charlie Haffner attempt, with varying success, to sing a different song of Freetown.

The Spear of the People

The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands has a bit of a reputation as a “sleepy hollow.” But it was a crucial node in the struggle against apartheid.

Political Theater

Robert Mugabe and how how quickly style and showmanship can sweep away an audience, even when the underlying message promotes violence and jingoistic triumphalism.

Madonna vs President Joyce Banda

Madonna's attempt to save face after her scolding by Malawi's president to rehash the stereotype of the corrupt African leader rings hollow, and a bit desperate. Malawi's President wasn't having it.

New, Old South African Theater

The success of 'Mies Julie' tells us more about the way that audiences in the Global North like to think about South Africa than it does about actual South Africa.