From Motown classics to powerful protest: 3 theatre productions taking over Joburg

In honour of Black History Month, Joburg Theatre presents "Ode To Motown", a tribute celebrating the iconic music and voices of the legendary label.

Motown was a phenomenal cultural movement that successfully transcended boundaries.

Celebrating Berry Gordy's ambitious vision, this soul-stirring new musical chronicles the remarkable ascent of Motown. It traces the journey of visionary songwriters and performers who were empowered to imagine, innovate, and ultimately reshape popular music.

The production is a tribute to the label's enduring sound, moving seamlessly from classic R&B to soul. These songs became the voice of a generation, reflecting the struggles, joys, and aspirations of their time. These timeless narratives explore themes of love, loss, renewed hope, resilience and potential. 

Furthermore, the show delves into the ongoing legacy of the Motown sound, highlighting its influence on contemporary music and modern-day celebrations.

Under the direction of James Ngcobo, featuring choreography by Lulu Mlangeni and musical direction by Margaret Motsage, the show boasts an exceptional cast. The performers include Liesl Penniken, Lerato Mvelase, Tamara Dey, Hlengiwe Pearl and Anele Precious Mthethwa.

The band accompanying them consists of Mpho Kodisang on piano, Earl Joseph Baartman on bass, Urbano Bay Nobela on guitar, and Tshepa Diale on drums.

Where: Mandela Theatre at Joburg Theatre.

When: February 21 - March 1, 7.30pm and 3pm on the weekend.

Not For Sale!

Inspired by the true stories of human trafficking survivors, this 60-minute contemporary dance piece raises awareness about the syndicates that exploit young women and children. The production highlights various methods of exploitation, including abduction, outright hijacking and deception disguised as employment opportunities.

The piece underscores the tragic situation of vulnerable women and children who are victims of trafficking and sold into slavery, driven by human greed. 

The intense choreography powerfully conveys the anguish and suffering experienced by victims and survivors of human trafficking. It not only expresses their lamentations but also highlights how technology exacerbates vulnerability, making individuals more susceptible to exploitation by criminal syndicates.

Where: Blue Theatre at Soweto Theatre

When: Runs on Saturday, February 21, at 3pm and 7pm.

Adam’s Ale

A powerful, ritualistic theatre piece rooted in African cosmology, exploring the genesis of humanity through themes of water, grief, and spiritual memory. 

The narrative centres on Letswai, a young man caught between boyhood and manhood following his return from initiation. He grapples with the profound loss of his mother and the expected silence surrounding his grief. 

The setting is an abstract, symbolic landscape of salt, water, and buried bodies, transforming the stage into a dual site of burial and rebirth. Here, prayers are offered to water deities, and voices call out for spiritual equilibrium and restoration

Through physically embodied performance, “Adam’s Ale” reflects deeply on belief, masculinity, grief, and spiritual inheritance, posing the fundamental question: What does it mean to live when one's ancestral roots have been disturbed?

Where: space.com at Joburg Theatre.

When: Runs from February 19 to 22, 7pm and at 3pm on Sunday.