Afrikaaps
Afrikaaps is a hip hopera that unveils the hidden history of Afrikaans, through catchy folk music, poetry, hip hop and break dancing, both young and old will be educated and entertained by a classic South African story.
Artscape presents "Afrikaaps"
Artscape is set to present the award winning Afrikaaps, a ground-breakingHip Hop era theatre production that traces the roots of the Afrikaans language back to the slaves and indigenous peoples of the Cape, at Artscape Theatre from 29 - 31 May 2014.
Afrikaaps tells the generally unknown history of the Afrikaans language, which has hugely been overlooked in the past, this bears deeply significant consequences for Afrikaans and Afrikaaps mother tongue speakers.
Against a backdrop of video images, including excerpts from Dylan Valley's award winning documentary featuring the late Dr Neville Alexander, the ensemble, Die Argitekbekke, represent an eclectic fusion of musical genres. In true hip-hop mode this musical theatre piece employs glitches; scratches; beats; and rhymes to traverse time, while also referencing the multiplicity of traditional Cape styles like Ghoema and Kaapse Klopse.
Afrikaaps premiered in Cape Town in 2010 and was met with wide critical acclaim. It features an all-star cast including composer, multi-instrumentalist, jazz prodigy Kyle Shepherd (musical director), vernacular spectacular rapper, poet and guitarist Jitsvinger, South African hip-hop legend and cultural activist Emile YX?, conscious soulful songstress Blaq Pearl, B-boy rapper extraordinaire Bliksemstraal, award winning dancer, singer and entertainer Meonier Adams and Jethro Louw 'plakkerskamp' poet, Khoisan activist, traditional instrumentalist and storyteller.
The production has enjoyed critical recognition in several media outlets and has won numerous awards such as the winner of 2 Kyk Net Fiesta Awards for "Best Music Driven Production and Best Upcoming Professional Artist" and an international prize "Keuze van de Wijkjury Amsterdam" as a result of their tour to the Netherlands in 2011. It has also received six South African Theatre Awards nominations.
Time: 08:15 - 09:30
Venue: Artscape, Cape Town
Cost: R80 for adults, R60 for under 18s