Celebrating Heritage Month

While Heritage Month means different things to different people, Artscape will be celebrating heritage by telling stories and considering how narratives are reflected orally, in writing, and in creative forms.

Through various disciplines, Artscape will question identity, with a focus on 'who we are, what we are and what we have been', encouraging young and old alike to reclaim and restore the important stories of our heritage, to challenge misappropriations and find healing.

The multilingual play Siembamba (3 to 12 September), tells the story of a black domestic worker and the white child she raised in the 1980s, looking at their intimate mother-child bond forged at a time when they were socialised to hate one another. Written by Philip Rademeyer and Penelope Youngleson, with direction by Rademeyer, and starring Nieke Lombard and Lesoko Seabe, it won a 2014 Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award and was performed at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival.

Choral Music Eisteddfod

Choirs from around the province will take to the stage alongside the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday, 13 September for the Western Cape Choral Music Association's (WeCCMA) 2015 Choral Music Eisteddfod.

Back by popular demand, Izityhilelo Zobuze by Lingua Franca will explore the concept of circumstantial inheritance through sensational poetry and music from 17 to 26 September while Words of War by Anele Rusi will tell stories of our heritage and history through inspiring poetry and songs of celebration.

Fans of more contemporary sounds will be thrilled to hear that Freshlyground's Zolani Mahola, rock queen Karen Zoid, and soprano Zanne Stapelberg will be bringing their hit show, Zanne, Zoid and Zolani to Artscape as part of the festival on 23 and 24 September.

Many South Africans are unaware of how other countries helped South Africa and its liberation movements during the apartheid struggle. Born Around Here, created by Botswana-based Company@Maitisong on 24 September, highlights the contributions of Zambia and Botswana in the struggle for freedom, through the eyes of Zake, a South African refugee who marries a Botswana citizen and undertakes underground operations between Gaborone and Lusaka. The presence of political refugees posed grave dangers to nationals who were often harassed or killed for harbouring terrorists. Their stories are told while the play interrogates human vulnerabilities and fears, while shining a light on love, compassion and the spirit of ubuntu.

Words of War

Words of War is a collection of inspiring poems and songs of celebration woven together with moving instrumental music on 24 and 26 September. The production is a collaboration of thoughts and visions by Anele Rusi, Anele Kose, Nomakrestu, Masixole Mali and Aviwe Kalolo who call themselves "servants of the art and soldiers of the heart". With live sound by DJ Andre, Words of War tells the story of a child haunted by voices and visions from 'the other side'. It is a celebration of our scars and history.

Away from the stage, Artscape will host a dialogue entitled 'Connecting Creatives' on Heritage Day while Artscape's Tunnel (mural area between Artscape and Civic Centre Parking) will become the backdrop for Ngokomzekeliso Wakhe (In His Image) - a performance art instillation by a multi-award winner Chuma Sopotela - on Thursday, 24 and Saturday, 26 September.

With its Heritage Festival, Artscape hopes to inspire theatre-goers to unearth their hidden stories and embrace their diverse identities.

The Artscape Heritage Festival will be on stage from 27 August to 27 September. Tickets are available from Computicket or Artscape Dial-a-Seat on +27 (0)21 421 7695. Go to www.artscape.co.za for more information or follow on Twitter #AHF15