Climate change and its devastating impact on the environment is creatively and caringly brought into the spotlight in the mystical Surge, directed by Roshina Ratnam and performed by the dynamic Magnet Theatre Youth Company, at the Baxter Flipside from 21 to 29 July 2023 at 11am daily with an evening performance on Saturday 29 July at 7pm.
Under the watchful eye and guidance of the award-winning Ratnam, the cast comprises Azola Mkhabile, Buhle Stefane, Kuhle Myathaza, Lindokuhle Melaphi, Mihlali Bele, Molupi Lepeli, Nosiphiwo Ndabeni, Siphenathi Siqwayi, Sipho Kalako, Thabo Mkenene and Wendy Mrali, who are all graduates of Magnet Theatre’s two-year Fulltime Training and Job Creation Programme. These dynamic young artists wowed audiences earlier this year at The Baxter with Mark Fleishman’s Oedipus at Colonus #aftersophocles and Mandla Mbothwe’s Ikrele leChiza… the sermon.
With Surge they bring to life a delightfully provocative world that looks at the role that young people can play in initiating conversations and imagining alternative futures in relation to the scarcity of resources. Using puppetry to create a world of wonder and intrigue, it follows the story of two characters, their different relationship with the natural world and climate events – and what is ultimately, important.
Contemporary provocation
First performed at Magnet Theatre in October 2022, Surge is perfect family entertainment, although it is specifically aimed at older junior school and high school learners (Grades 6 to 12) and young adults.
It is a contemporary provocation that sets a series of questions in motion especially aimed at young people. Why should young people care about climate change when they are facing so many other seemingly more pressing challenges? How can young people make a difference? How can we all think differently about the world’s renewable and non-renewable resources?
“Surge is an exciting opportunity for us to explore and confront this uncomfortable and sometimes overwhelming subject,” explains director Ratnam. “Through the use of objects as metaphors, spaces and characters we aim to create a world where the audience is pushed to action because they know that they have the power to make change”.
What: Surge
Where and when: Baxter Flipside from 21 to 29 July 2023 at 11am daily, with an evening performance on 29 July at 7pm.
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
