Modjadji in Absentia

Emerging South African director Carla Fonseca and her cast of four actors tackle the dilemma of what it is to live in a time of societal drought in South Africa today, with a new play, Modjadji in Absentia, at the Market Theatre Laboratory 24 - 28 July 2019.

Sponsored by the Arts & Culture Trust, Nedbank and the directors' own crowd-funding, Modjadji in Absentia was devised by director Carla Fonseca, Iman Isaacs (co-director), Mandla Mbothwe (advisor), the cast, Nthato Mokgata (sound designer/composer), and Edward Kgosidintsi (writer) and is an exciting new collaboration between them and The Market Theatre Laboratory.

“I am extremely excited by this new work as it stimulates much-needed debate around the issues of turmoil in South Africa today. It encourages people to empathize with one another, to stand up against unjust law, but more importantly to highlight the desperate need for change,” Fonseca says.

“When we do so, we transcend our real and imagined barriers and create a space in which social change and ubuntu can thrive. The production also illustrates the power of partnerships and collaboration as it succeeds in bringing together the expertise of organizations such as the Market Theatre Laboratory, affording young actors and theatre directors the opportunity to make their voices heard” she continued.

The Modjadji in Absentia cast is made up of rising talents Indalo Stofile, Tj Ngoma, Iman Isaacs, and Asia McDonald. Through combining different styles such as physical movement, music, storytelling, poetry and rituals, Modjadji in Absentia, probes themes such as rape, GBV and crime within South Africa. It goes to the heart of the crisis of violence against women in South Africa.

It explores the values, fears and behaviors that allow such violence to be perpetrated. The production is performed in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, and Zulu. There is an age restriction of 12 years.

Modjadji in Absentia previews on 24 July, opens on 25 July and runs until 28 July 2019. Ticket booking is through Webtickets or at any Pick ‘n Pay outlet.