Karoo Moose at the Baxter

The cast who bring the story to life are Zoleka Helesi (Udaba Bafazi, House of the Holy Afro), Mdu Kweyama (Shooting Stars, Onnest'Bo), Bongile Mantsai (Udaba Bafazi, Big Dada), Thami Mbongo (The Tempest, Shooting Stars), Chuma Sopotela (The Tempest, Beneath Silent Waters) and Apollo Ntshoko (Green's Man, Kwamanzi). The actors each perform a key character and double up to play multiple additional characters adding to the magic of the story.

Patrick Curtis is responsible for set and lighting design, Bongile Mantshai is the musical director and lyricist, Mdu Kweyma is responsible for choreography and Koos Marais and Henning Lüdeke for props and costumes.

English with isiXhosa

Performed in English with isiXhosa, the story takes place in a remote and impoverished village in the Karoo, where the inhabitants are struggling to survive. A young girl called Thozama ends up killing a moose. But what is the moose doing there, and how did it get there?

The play was originally written as a film entitled No Fathers. Writer and director Foot tackles the disintegration of the family unit and the violation of innocence endured by so many South African children. The play cleverly and creatively combines African storytelling and magical realism.

Break the cycle of violence

Foot explained: "The themes of the story for me were bound up in the idea that the children in the village needed some kind of magical event to free them from abuse, neglect and poverty. Something magical was needed to break the cycle of violence."

Karoo Moose will be performed at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio for two weeks only from 27 July to 7 August. Booking is through +27 (0)83 915 8000, online at www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet.

Prices

Ticket prices range from R70 for the Baxter Monday special offer, which includes a light meal and show, to R130 at weekends. Book for Karoo Moose and Staceyann Chin in Border/Clash: A Litany of Desires, currently on in the same venue, and running until 24 July, and pay only R60 per show.

For discounted block, corporate or school bookings, charities or fundraisers contact Sharon on +27 (0)21 680 3962, email az.ca.tcu@rednaxela.norahs or Carmen on +27 (0)21 680 3993, email az.ca.tcu@snraek.nemrac.