Singer, songwriter and storyteller Zolani Mahola and choreographer, dancer and director Gregory Maqoma will share the Baxter stage for a benefit show from Tuesday November 3 to Saturday November 7.
This will be the first time Mahola and Maqoma will collaborate and appear on a stage together.
Mahola, who has adopted the name The One Who Sings, will present the inaugural staging of her multimedia show You Need To Say It, featuring songs from her upcoming 2021 solo album by the same name, one year after leaving the band Freshlyground.
The work is an exploration of song and story, including themes of connection, nature and the sanctity of the time of childhood. She has assembled a team of collaborators comprising visual and auditory storytellers Inka Kendzia and Sean Ou Tim (Mr Sakitumi) and guitarist and film producer Frank Freeman.
Maqoma will debut his brand-new work, No Humour, in collaboration with Xolisile Bongwana, which brings together live sound and movement. In this work he explores the delicate balance of sensuousness, violence, ethical sensitivity, ugliness, grace and humour, where there is none.
“This specially-commissioned performance is a coup for the Baxter,” says Lara Foot, CEO and artistic director.
“We are honoured to have these two creatives and national treasures on our stage, in one production, to celebrate our return to live theatre and welcoming back audiences and artists.”
Championed by the University of Cape Town’s vice chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, Baxter Back on Stage with Gregory Maqoma and Zolani Mahola celebrates the Baxter’s reopening and serves as a benefit fundraiser to recover income lost over the past six months during the national lockdown.
The special gala performance for invited guests and donors with limited seats available for purchase to the public at R1 000, will be hosted by the vice-chancellor and Marc Lottering as the master of ceremonies, on Tuesday November 3, and the ticket price includes dinner and drinks.
Ticket prices for the other performances range from R350 to R500, which includes snacks and drinks.
All performances will be limited to 50% capacity, with Covid-19 protocols in place. These will include the availability of hand sanitiser, tracking and tracing recorded, wearing of masks and physical distancing. Patrons are advised to arrive at least an hour before the start of the performance to avoid delays.
Book through Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores.
