We got a chance to chat with the woman behind the production of the song-play Marikana to Mahoganny which has been showing at the Durban University of Technology’s Court Yard this week.
Dr Pamela Tancsik said the documentary Miners Shot Down has stuck with her for years and she has always wanted to adapt it into a song-play but only got the opportunity to do it now.
The drama department lecturer that has a background in opera said she was very excited for the opportunity to finally produce the song-play.
“The song-play is very unique, I don’t think South Africa has a lot of song-play productions so this is a one of a kind experience,” she said.
The song-play is only in song so at no point does the cast speak which the Tancsik described as special.
She said the cast, made up of drama students at DUT, was a little apprehensive when they realized that the play would only be in song.
“They were a little resilient at first because they are not opera students they are drama students but they are doing so well, once they got the hang of it everyone started to enjoy themselves,” said Tancsik.
She added that the experience of being a part of the production is different and will add to their experience.
She encouraged young people to catch the play before it closes this Friday saying, “It has been six years since the massacre but I know a number of people that still do not know the story, the song play opens with 12 minutes from the documentary Miners Shot Down so for those that haven’t seen it this will be their chance,” she said.
“The production is unique, its very seldom to see a song play produced in South Africa, plus it is only an hour long so no one will sit there for long hours,” she added.
The shows are at 7:30 pm every night this week until Friday. Tomorrow the production is open to students for free. Tickets for the show are available at the door for R40.
