The powerful and shocking story of SkierIik, based on the murders which made news headlines in South Africa in 2008, comes under the spotlight at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, for two weeks only, from 4 to 15 June at 7pm nightly, as the winner of the Best of the 2013 Zabalaza Theatre Festival.
Written and performed by Phillip Dikotla, who received the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT) Impact Award for theatre last year, Skierlik was originally staged in Mmabana Arts Centre in the North West province and, after its run at the Baxter, the play travels to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
The play beat more than 30 other productions to win the Best Production award at this year’s Zabalaza Theatre Festival held in March and as part of that accolade the production gets a full mainstream season at the Baxter. The festival is widely regarded as one of the premier development platforms in the country and has received great acclaim since it was launched in 2011. Since its inception the festival has grown exponentially and each year the organisers pay special attention to innovation and expansion the programme.
The play’s genesis evolved from the horrific incident that shook South Africa on 14 January 2008, in the informal settlement called Skierlik, just outside Ventersdorp in the North West. On that fateful day 17-year-old Johan Nel went on a shooting spree, killing four people, including a three-month-old baby, and wounding eight others. He was sentenced to four life sentences for the murders.
The devastating massacre had tragic effects on those who were left behind and on those families who lost their bread winners. Desperate to restore what had been lost, Dikotla embarked on writing the play, determined that communities and audience members should be able to relate to it.
The story is told through Thomas, husband of the murdered Anna and father to toddler Elizabeth who takes on the difficult journey of forgiveness and bitterness, anger and hopelessness, change and acceptance when he returns to the place which he was forced to leave. Through physical theatre and humour the story is told, primarily in English, with the inclusion of Tswana and vernacular.
“After I matriculated I wanted to be a theatre-maker so I joined the Market Theatre Laboratory. During my studies there the terrible news about the Skierlik shootings broke and I was determined to write about it and so started my journey with this play,” explains Phillip Dikotla.
“This is the first time in Zabalaza history that a play from outside the Western Cape wins our coveted Best Production award,” says Thami Mbongo. “Many factors have positively influenced this clear winner and on so many levels too. It’s not only about the production value, content and execution which this production succeeds at but also that it talks about fundamental social issues and ills and looks at the question of forced removals which many people can relate to. I admire and applaud Phillip’s drive and passion to tell the story of Skierlik. He is absolutely dedicated to the arts, he is committed to the subject matter and his performance is outstanding. I believe that this is a perfect match for the festival - other artists can learn from him and his work.”
Dikotla says, “Winning the Zabalaza Festival award really restored hope in my life. It showed me that perseverance, and staying focused can work. To this end I would like to acknowledge the contribution made by Mpho Molepo while I was still developing the play. And Karabo Kgokong, who has invested in many ways and who has been there all the time and is still here for sharing the vision for the play with me.”
Dikotla is an actor, theatre practitioner, writer and comedian. He was born and raised in Limpopo and graduated from the Market Theatre Laboratory in 2010. He is known for his innovative work and has written and performed various stand-up comedies as well as hard-hitting plays that address serious issues. He is co-founder of the Johannesburg-based Arch Entertainment and has written four other plays, Ordinary, The Fatherland, Gae and Trekker.
Previous winners of the Zabalaza Theatre Festival Best Production award are Uhlazo and Worst of Both Worlds. Both productions went on to be staged at various festivals and events in the Western Cape.
Skierlik has an age restriction and is not suitable for children under the age of 14. The production previews on 4 June, opens on 5 June, and runs until 15 June at 7pm with matinees at 12pm in the Golden Arrow Studio. The ticket price is R25 and booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000, online at www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite-Checkers outlet.
For any discount on corporate, school, charity, or fundrasing events, as well as block bookings, please contact Sharon on 021 680 3962 or sharon.ward@uct.ac.za or contact Carmen on 021 680 3993 or carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za.
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