Jo'burg theatre picks: November 11 2011

Rhetorical is an initiative of the Siemens Stiftung in Munchen, Germany, in co-operation with the Kaaitheater in Brussels, Belgium, the Market Theatre, Festival Ibero-americano de Teatro de Bogota in Columbia and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, Croatia.

The script is by Aubrey Sekhabi and Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom, who also directs.

Rhetorical aims to analyse the actions of former president Thabo Mbeki (Fezile Mpela) through some of his most famous speeches. The story is a narrative by a fictional youth leader, Dada Mokone (­Presley Chweneyagae), whose character is loosely based on Julius Malema. The play takes a satirical look at the action and inaction of the former president and the legacy he left South African people.

Barney Simon Theatre, Market Theatre complex, Newtown, from November 15 to 20. Ticket prices range between R66 and R140. Tel: 011 832 1641.