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Iago's Last Dance at the Artscape

27 Jul 2009

The highly acclaimed Iago's Last Dance, written by Mike van Graan, is to be presented at the Artscape Arena Theatre from 11 to 22 August 2009. First presented by the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown on its recent Main Programme and at the subsequent National Schools Arts Festival, Iago's Last Dance, Van Graan's powerful trilogy about betrayal and vengeance is set against the backdrop of the “three-letter plague” - HIV and AIDS.

The three playlets, featuring three actors playing a different character in each play, move from betrayal within a marriage to betrayal of friendship and finally, betrayal by the larger society. All the playlets - Heartbreak Medea, Iago's Last Dance and Valiant Spartacus - reference classical texts but their power and contemporary relevance leaves the audience gasping at times. Iago's Last Dance is directed by Lara Bye whose credits include the multiple award-winning Yellowman, Jesus Hopped the A-train and Fiona Coyne's The Shadrack Affair. The actors are the versatile and talented Jan-Hendrik Opperman, Ntombi Makhutshi and Mbulelo Grootboom, who featured in the popular South African film White Wedding.

In a research project to determine whether the audience was put off by hard-hitting HIV/AIDS backdrop of the play, the overwhelming majority (80%) of respondents recommended the play highly with many commending the dramatic and compelling manner in which the subject matter is handled.

Iago's Last Dance runs from 11 to 22 August at 20h15 with tickets costing R65, and R45 for Tuesday and Saturday matinee performances and for pensioners, students, school learners and block bookings of ten or more. All booking is via Computicket.