Mozart's The Magic Flute Gets South African Township Treatment

16-Sep-2011

MELBOURNE FESTIVAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH ARTS PROJECTS AUSTRALIA, ANDREW KAY, LIZA MCLEAN AND DAVID VIGO PRESENT

Mozart’s THE MAGIC FLUTE

IMPEMPE YOMLINGO (South Africa)

An ISANGO ENSEMBLE production, adapted and directed by MARK DORNFORD-MAY

Words and music by Mandisi Dyantyis, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Pauline Malefane and Nolufefe Mtshabe

Developed in association with the Young Vic, original producer Eric Abraham

"This updating of The Magic Flute to South Africa offers such a miraculous glimpse into a possible musical future that it's hard to watch without a lump in the throat " The Independent, UK

The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo  will make its Australian premiere as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival this October. This life-enhancing, joyous production is the greatest piece of music theatre performed as you’ve never heard it before – the South African way – with over twenty singers, marimbas, drums and township percussion.

"This updating of The Magic Flute to South Africa offers such a miraculous glimpse into a possible musical future that it's hard to watch without a lump in the throat

"Performed with infectious wit and visible joy…It's balm to the spirit to hear the heart, humour and soul that pour forth from choral singing of this extraordinary dynamic and prismatic range," The Independent

Played in a township setting and encompassing various African languages, Mark Dornford-May's acclaimed production effortlessly relocates Mozart’s magical and mysterious kingdom to contemporary South Africa. The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo is an adventure, fairytale, comedy and drama. The work remains faithful to the story and score of Mozart's opera but is totally re-imagined, bringing a fresh perspective to this heart-warming, comedic and ultimately redemptive tale of love, adventure and reconciliation.

The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in London in 2008, broke box office records when it played at the Young Vic in London, was awarded a ‘Globes de Cristal’ for Best Opera in Paris and has received rapturous reviews for performances across Europe, Ireland, South Africa, Singapore and Japan.

South African Isango Ensemble comprises artists at all stages of their creative development with extraordinary and varied musical abilities. Together they re-imagine classics of Western theatre, finding a new context for the stories within a South African or township setting. British born, South African Director Mark Donford-May is a film and theatre director, previously known for the 2005 Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear winning, U-Carmen eKhayelitsha, an operatic film adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen, filmed in Cape Town and shot entirely in Xhosa.

The cast of The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo includes Isango Ensemble co-founder Pauline Malefane bringing her acclaimed interpretation of the Queen of the Night to Melbourne. Malefane received worldwide acclaim for her role as Carmen in U-Carmen eKhayelitsha and was awarded Best Actress at the South African Film & Television Awards for her role in the film Son of Man.

 

The Magic Flute – Impempe Yomlingo is filled with the rich musical voice of South Africa - emotional and hugely uplifting.

Venue: The Arts Centre, State Theatre

Dates: Tue 11 – Sat 15 Oct at 7.30pm & Sat 15 & Sun 16 Oct at 1.30pm

Duration: 2hr 15 min including interval

Tickets: Priced from $45 - $149.90

 Bookings: the Arts Centre 1300 182 183 / Ticketmaster 1300 723 038 / melbournefestival.com.au

 

---