The William Kentridge and Handspring Puppet Company’s powerful classic, 'Faustus in Africa!' is being restaged at The Baxter Flipside for a limited season.
This extraordinary collaboration, directed by Kentridge and brought to life through the puppet-mastery of Handspring Puppet Company, is a re-working of their 1995 hit production of the same name. This reimagined production, which harmoniously blends puppetry, animation, music and live performance, locates this ageless tale into a distinctly African setting.
When Faustus goes on a safari to enjoy all that Africa has to offer, it becomes a rampaging journey of greed and passion. The play unearths themes of compromise, greed and the haunting consequences of ambition, resonating deeply with today’s global challenges and offering a profound reflection on our world today and its crises.
Kentridge’s captivating animation and beautiful puppets are complemented by the late James Phillips and Warrick Sony’s music score and supported by text from South African poet Lesego Rampolokeng. Faustus in Africa! brings together a remarkable creative team and cast which includes Atandwa Kani, Jennifer Steyn and Wessel Pretorius, as well as talented puppeteers Asanda Rilityana and Buhle Thembisile.
Puppetry is by Adrian Kohler and Tau Qwelane, puppet costumes by Hazel Maree, Hiltrud von Seidlitz, and Phyllis Midlane and set construction by Dean Pitman. Lighting design and production management are in the hands of Wesley France, with Lara Foot as Associate Director.
