These Ladies Are Doing It for Themselves: All female arts collective Thari Ya Arts Productions team up with Pretoria State Theatre and National Arts Council for an original stage production, Bubbly Bosoms.
Friday, August 13 – Sunday, August 29, 2010
Arena Theatre
State Theatre, Pretoria
With industry recognition ranging from soapie stars to a ladies jazz band, the female arts collective, Thari Ya Arts Productions launch their debut stage performance Bubbly Bosoms in August at The State Theatre. The cast and directors are a stunning collaborative of South African industry powerhouses; Connie Chiume, Faith Kekana, Nakedi Ribane, Napo Masheane, Anniki Maswenganye, Zodwa Mabena, Sankie Motsei, Thandi Mahlangu, Lesego Nkonyane, Clementine Mosimane and Thope Diniso.
Bubbly Bosoms combines the performance elements of classic South African music, powerful singing voices and gripping storytelling to construct the tale of ten women from different backgrounds brought together by their stokvel membership. Revealing layers of their intimate worlds, the journey unfolds with dignity and humour as each woman explores their place within society and discovers their own strength in the face of obstacles and triumphs.
The production is conceived by founding member, acclaimed actor and author of ‘Beauty: A Black Perspective’, Nakedi Ribane and is directed by the adept and talented Napo Masheane (writer and performer of My BUM is genetic deal with it). The Bubbly Bosoms script is written by Palesa Mazamisa and Makgano Mamabolo and the musical direction is handled by the esteemed Letta Mbulu.
Of the collaboration Ribane comments: “Thari Ya Arts Productions is dedicated to paving the way for women to contribute and receive recognition for their work in the arts. The quality of artists on this production is a testament to our mission to develop respect for the contributions of women in the arts”.
Thari Ya Arts Productions is produced by Nakedi Ribane and founding members award winning actress Connie Chiume, and jazz songstress Faith Kekana. These ladies count among South Africa’s most recognised and talented performing artists and have a combined experience of over thirty years in the arts sector spanning: theatre, television, film, fashion, music, radio, youth development and community work. A generous grant from the National Arts Council (NAC) was received for the production. The NAC support will continue developing a platform within the arts to minimise the gender gap and create opportunities for women to gain exposure, entrepreneurial skills, launch careers, and nurture their talents.
Bubbly Bosoms starts on Friday, August 13 and runs through the Sunday, August 29 each evening at 20:00 at Pretoria State Theatre’s Arena Stage. Ticket prices Fridays and Saturdays are R65. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays tickets are R50. Tickets can be booked at Computicket www.computicket.co.za or the State Theatre box office. Booking information can be found at www.statetheatre.co.za.
Additional information on the women of Thari Ya Arts can be viewed at www.thariyaarts.co.za.
For Interviews and photos please contact: Viva at vivalw@gmail.com or call 082 699 6971.
