London Road is at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton

Event Date: Until March 19th 2011

Published by Business and Arts South Africa

After a huge success in Cape Town and numerous awards garnered at the Fleur du Caps in Cape Town and accolades at the Standard Bank National Festival, London Road, will have its Gauteng premiere at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square. This new South African play is a tender, funny and poignant story about two women from diverse backgrounds.

"London Road is a simple and intimate reflection on growing old, loneliness, fragmented families and the healing power of a friendship," says director LARA BYE. "It is a glimpse into the private lives of two very different women living in a block of flats in London Road, Sea Point." On the surface, Stella and Rosa Kaplowitz have nothing in common. Stella is a young Nigerian woman. Long distant family, dodgy gangsters and a sense of survival makes her very mistrusting of the gestures of strangers. Rosa is an elderly Jewish widow living in a flat on the fifth floor. Her children and grandchildren live in Australia and Israel so she keeps herself occupied by becoming very involved in the business of her neighbourhood.

Actress ROBYN SCOTT recently mesmerized audiences in Elizabeth-Almost By Chance A Woman, which earned her a Fleur Du Cap nomination for Best Actress. She is a renowned and award-winning character actress and has lovingly created Rosa. Up-and-coming actress NTOMBI MAKHUTSHI was most recently seen in Lago's Last Dance and Die Storie Van Die Vertaalde Mense. She is breathtaking in her versatility and depth as Stella.

London Road is written by seasoned TheatreSports performer and Cape Town writer, NICHOLAS SPAGNOLETTI, in collaboration with the director and cast. As a long-time resident of Sea Point, LONDON ROAD is born out of his observations and overheard conversations within this unique community.

"Sea Point has long been a new home for many immigrants, minority groups and marginalized people," says Spagnoletti. "The play echoes the realities of those Sea Point families in a state of migration and emigration - looking at what happens to those who choose to stay behind or arrive from somewhere else. Also informing the play is the backdrop of urban decay and rejuvenation that is contemporary Sea Point.

Director Lara Bye continues her exploration of the theatre of suggestion. With London Road she brings her trademark attention to detail, intelligent sophistication and unique theatre style and staging.

London Road is at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square in Sandton, Johannesburg until March 19th 2011.
Shows run nightly Tuesdays to Fridays at 20h15 and there are 2 shows on Saturdays – at 18h00 and 20h30.
Saturdays at 5:30pm and 8:30pm.

Theatre on the Square
tel: 011 883 8606
email: theatreonthesquare@gmail.com
website: www.theatreonthesquare.co.za