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Next up in the Baxter Theatre Centre’s South African season of the Play>Ground Performed Reading series is performance poet and author Malika Ndlovu’s new play, Sister Breyani, this Sunday, October 21, at 5pm in the Baxter Sanlam Studio.

Well-known for her award-winning A Coloured Place, Ndlovu’s new play is about five sisters who reunite for the first time in almost three years. They meet at the new home of the youngest sibling over a weekend in July in what is a celebration cum family reunion. While there is much water under the bridge, family tensions bubble to the surface as the sisters realise blood ties may not be enough to sustain their complex relationships, stemming from muted family communication in the past. Time is not on their side as the dream reunion soon begins to unravel.

Durban-born Ndlovu last performed as the Baxter Theatre Centre last year in Womantide with Tina Schouw and Ernestine Deane showcasing their original poetry, songs and music. Although her work as a poet has been extensively published in South Africa and abroad, it is her sixth play as solo writer.

Director Lara Bye has assembled a formidable cast of power-house women made up of Denise Newman (Erfsondes, Sorrows and Rejoicings), Mary Daniels (Suip!, Kanna Hy Kô Hystoe), Lee-Ann van Rooi (Fishy Fêshuns, Shirley, Goodness and Mercy), Euodia Sampson (Vatmaar, Kanna Hy Kô Hystoe) and Riana Alfreds (Onnest’Bo, Send for Dolly).

An excited Ndlovu says, “I am exhilarated to have the serendipity of a dream cast and director to take over my third draft of the play into a new script that will be leaping off the page and onto the stage – the journey is usually much longer. Having Sister Breyani in professional hands is manifesting my vision for the play far sooner than I would have envisaged. I am looking forward to the delight of the interpretation of my script by Lara and the cast.”

Bye has been closely involved with Play>Ground since its inception. She has performed in and directed several of the performed readings including For Coloured Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is not Enuf and Jesus Hopped the “A” Train, both which were selected for mainstream staging to great success.

Shirley Goodness and Mercy, which received great audience and media acclaim at the Baxter Theatre Centre and The Market Theatre earlier this year, was also selected as a result of the resounding response at the performed reading.

Play>Ground is a series of rehearsed play readings which provides a space for actors, directors and audiences to experience the very best of contemporary local and international scripts. Discussions about all the works after the performances are welcomed, stimulating cultural debate and encouraging audiences to develop their critical theatre awareness.

The final two offerings in this season are Original Skin, written and performed by Phillippa Yaa de Villiers, with direction and script development by Robert Colman on November 4 and The Black Psychiatrist written by Lewis Nkosi and directed by Paul Savage on November 11, both at 5pm.

With one performance only, seating is limited. Tickets are R30 and booking is through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or the Baxter Theatre Centre on 021 680 3989.

For interview or pic requests or any further media enquiries please contact Fahiem Stellenboom, Marketing Manager, Baxter Theatre Centre on 021 680 3971, email fahiem.stellenboom@uct.ac.za or on cell 072 2656 023.