The American Popess: Arena, Artscape Theatre Centre. Until August 11
It is the year 2033. Under the unsympathetic glare of television cameras, the new and democratically elected (female) head of a terminally ill, vastly shrunken Roman Catholic Church delivers her mission statement. In between noisy ad breaks, it becomes clear that Pope Joan II has in mind an audacious programme that will at once restore the ancient church to its former power and glory, while making a radical embrace of unbelief.
An American Popess, directed by Mark Graham and starring Jana Cilliers, is a provocative production of South American writer Esther Vilar’s text.
This two-hander (also starring Galeboe Moabi in the thankless part of the new prelate’s daughter) presents a harrowing interrogation of faith, freedom and scepticism in a secular age — and confirm Cilliers’s reputation as a performer ready to take on challenges that would deter a lesser actor.
A thoughtful Catholic writer once observed that the creeds are believed not because they are rational, but because they are repeated. This idea forms the basis of Joan II’s programme-to-be. Announcing a return to papal infallibility in belief and ritual in practice, she claims that Catholicism will regain its hold because an exhausted postmodern world, satiated with licence, craves authority.
The irony is that this “popess” (a hateful neologism, by the way) is herself an atheist: she will hide her true feelings and sacrifice herself — like her master Jesus — for the good of the church, for the good of world.
It’s a fascinating resolution, and it works theatrically because of the sheer conviction of Cilliers’s performance.
Devout Christians as well as principled atheists will be provoked and challenged, I believe, by this extraordinary critique of what theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer has called the post-Christian age. If you care about ultimate questions as well as demanding theatre, this one’s for you. — Guy Willoughby
Art pick of the week
orld Press Photo Exhibition: William Fehr Collection. Until August 18
Press photography is an evocative and pertinent discipline and the annual World Press Photo Exhibition never fails to attract crowds of curious rubberneckers.
See the pick of the 42 321 entries from around the world at this show, opening on Friday July 27.
John Hrusa, who obtained first prize in this year’s nature and environment series section, will speak on the night. The exhibition is shown throughout the world on the condition that the photos aren’t censored.
It shows not only the best in photography during the past year, but also serves as historical documentation of the world’s main events of 2000. This year a record six South African photojournalists won prizes for their contributions. The large number of visitors around the world who view this exhibition bears witness to the power of photography to transcend cultural and lingui stic frontiers. — Michelle Matthews
Gig of the week
South Africa vs United Kingdom: Studio 47. July 27
Local boys Nick E Louder and Jason47 are pitted against United Kingdom hard-house masters Steve Hill and Steve Thomas.
Hill arrived in the UK in 1997 after firmly establishing himself on the New Zealand club scene. He works at one of the country’s leading record stores, Pure Groove Records (which won best dance shop in the 1999 Ericsson Muzik Awards), where he is responsible for the marketing, promotions, distribution and production of hard-house label Tripoli Trax.
He has earned residencies at Frantic, its sister club Convergence, Tinrib’s monthly Fish and Provocation (a weekly Sunday club), and plays at numerous Tripoli Trax club nights. He mixed Tripoli Trax Volume 2 (the South African edition).
Thomas plays an uplifting mix of UK and Dutch pumping hard house and club trance, sounds he likes to emulate in the studio.
A Trade resident since 1993, Thomas’s UK guest spots include Cream, Sundissential, Vague, BugJam (10 000 people), Ministry of Sound and another weekly residency at DTPM. Worldwide, he has been a resident for Trade in Ibiza at Privilege (formerly Ku), played in Japan for a Trade tour and conducted a United States tour.
One of Thomas’s career highlights has to be his residency alongside Danny Tenaglia at Twilo in New York. Besides his DJing, he is a partner in the Tripoli Trax record label, releasing his tracks under guises such as The Experts and Fruitloop and under his own name.
Entry is R60 at the door. — Michelle Matthews