GRINDROD BANK THEATRE

65 MINS

SAT 1515

SUN 1000

R 135

The most popular show in Grahamstown for 2 consecutive years!! An absolute MUST!!!

This new script by Nicolas Spagnoletti and directed by Lara Bye, tells the tender, beautiful and funny story about a friendship between two women from diverse backgrounds, living in the same block of flats in London Road, Seapoint.

The performances by Robyn Scott as the elderly Jewish widow, Rosa, and Ntombi Makhutshi as the young Nigerian, Stella, have been described as ‘phenomenal’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘a tour de force’.

On the surface, Stella and Rosa Kaplowitz have nothing in common other than the block of flats in which they live. Stella is a young Nigerian woman living in a damp, converted storage room. 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 overseas so she keeps herself occupied by becoming very involved in the business of her neighbourhood. After an act of violence, these two women find themselves stranded together and take comfort in finding that common themes unite them.

“Audiences have said that they found the play to be both funnier and more moving than they expected,” says Spagnoletti. “Many of them also said it made them think about and cherish the precious relationships in their lives.”

The production won three Fleur du Cap Awards in 2010: Robyn Scott for Best Actress, Ntombi Makhutshi for Best Supporting Actress and Nicholas Spagnoletti for Best New SA Script.

Rave responses have included:

"...feels like a little miracle." (The Next 48 Hours);

“….simply brilliant... radiates beauty and empathy." (Sunday Independent);

“… brought to life by two formidable stage talents …”(Sunday Times);

“A beautifully written script performed magnificently by two very talented women and directed with such beautiful eloquence. This play raises the bar on new South African writing for theatre.” (Ismail Mahomed, National Arts Festival Director).

Golden Ovation Award Winner 2010

Cape Town’s hot new play hits the road to HILTON after a sell out in Grahamstown in 2010 and successful seasons in SA since

DIRECTED BY Lara Bye, This new, all-South African production, created by a stellar team, tells the tender, beautiful and funny story about a friendship between two women from diverse backgrounds, living in the same block of flats in London Road, Seapoint.

Since its premiere at the Kalk Bay Theatre in March, the production has received much critical acclaim, rave responses from audiences and was invited to transfer to The Fugard Theatre and also presented for two nights at Villa Pascal.

The performances by Robyn Scott as the elderly Jewish widow, Rosa, and Ntombi Makhutshi as the young Nigerian, Stella, have been described as ‘phenomenal’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘a tour de force’.

On the surface, Stella and Rosa Kaplowitz have nothing in common other than the block of flats in which they live. Stella is a young Nigerian woman living in a damp, converted storage room. 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 overseas so she keeps herself occupied by becoming very involved in the business of her neighbourhood. After an act of violence, these two women find themselves stranded together and take comfort in finding that common themes unite them.

“It’s been an incredible journey so far for this gentle, human story ,” says director Lara Bye. “There are many aspects of the show that people have found they relate to - universal themes such as scattered families, the value of friendship, loneliness and the need for a sense of humour to survive.”

The original script by rising Cape Town playwright Nicholas Spagnoletti won the Audience Choice award at the PANSA new South African Playwriting competition in 2007 and has been lauded by critics with remarks such as “….shockingly full formed for a new work from a new writer.” (Peter, Tromp, The Next 48 Hours) and “…a notable debut…….Spagnoletti has….. a good ear for dialogue” (Brent Meersman, Mail and Guardian). The production has been further developed for the stage through improvisations in rehearsals and based on extensive research by the director and her actresses.

“Audiences have said that they found the play to be both funnier and more moving than they expected,” says Spagnoletti. “Many of them also said it made them think about and cherish the precious relationships in their lives.”

The award-winning technical team that has brought the production to life include Craig Leo designing set props and costume with Lara Bye; Faheem Bardien creating the lighting design, and original sound from Braam Du Toit.

3 Fleur du Cap Awards for 2010:
ROBYN SCOTT - Winner : Best Actress as Rosa in "LONDON ROAD"
NTOMBI MAKHUTSHI - Winner : Best Supporting Actress as Stella in "LONDON ROAD"
NICHOLAS SPAGNOLETTI - Winner : Best New SA Script for "LONDON ROAD"

Rave responses have included:

"...feels like a little miracle." (The Next 48 Hours);

“….simply brilliant... radiates beauty and empathy." (Sunday Independent);

“.... verbysterend….” (Die Burger);

“The humour is gentle, the drama and pathos understated … brought to life by two formidable stage talents …” (Sunday Times);

“A beautifully written script performed magnificently by two very talented women and directed with such beautiful eloquence. This play raises the bar on new South African writing for theatre.” (Ismail Mahomed, National Arts Festival Director)

*Keep up-to-date with London Road on Facebook: "London Road" or visit www.londonroad.co.za

Production information:

Production: London Road, presented by KBT Productions

Written by: Nicholas Spagnoletti and developed for the stage with the director and cast

Directed by: Lara Bye

Cast: Robyn Scott and Ntomboxolo Makhutshi

Set, props and costume design by Craig Leo and Lara Bye

Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien

Original Sound by Braam Du Toit

Original Set Concept: Lara Bye

What the press have said:

• "...feels like a little miracle." The Next 48 Hours
• "...awash with lingering powerful images." Cape Times
• "...simply brilliant... radiates beauty and empathy." Sunday Independent
• “Go to London Road. It’s worth the journey.” Cape Argus
• “Die 36-jarige Scott in die rol van die bejaarde Rosa Kaplowitz is verbysterend… Makhutshi is pragtig en het ‘n sterk teenwoordigheid op die verhoog.” Die Burger
• “The humour is gentle, the drama and pathos understated … brought to life by two formidable stage talents …” Sunday Times
• “…..Spagnoletti has both a good ear for dialogue and a camp sense of humour…This is indeed promising new work.” Mail and Guardian
• “…… an absolute master class in movement and breath….” www.writingstudio.co.za
• “I cannot think of a single reason why anyone in Cape Town shouldn’t see this play.” www.meganshead.co.za
• “London Road is quite simply not to be missed.” www.yoursoapbox.co.za
• “…the visual prompts are so effective one hardly needs imagination….” Artslink
• “London Road is a compassionate vignette with many laugh-out-loud moments and well worth an evening out.” False Bay Echo
• “……London Road will definitely leave you with a warm appreciation for one’s friendships and the joys of sharing.” www.bizcommunity.com

www.londonroad.co.za

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=135871

http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=26548

http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=26555

The production team of London Road’s transport to the festival kindly sponsored by Tony Thoms and Lindi Drummond.