The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso Tickets

African culture and traditions will be brought to the stage of the Garrick Theatre in 2009 as “The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso” makes an anticipate re-appearance, following its original tenure in the capital earlier in the decade. It is based on the English Medieval Chester Mystery Plays, using vocal traditions and African performers to add a new spin to proceedings, and has been seen by a quarter of a million people worldwide.

The production has received global recognition, having been staged in cities around the world by the acclaimed Isango Portobello Theatre Company from South Africa, who have worked hard to make this a compelling re-creation of famous Biblical stories. Helming the show is the British director Mark Dornford-May, who will help the theatre company to show off its signature styles that have made it so popular when their previous productions played in the capital. These included “The Magic Flute - Impempe Yomlingo” (which appeared at the Young Vic and the Duke Of York’s Theatre) and “A Christmas Carol - Ikrismas Kherol” (Young Vic), both of which starred the renowned performer Pauline Malefane, who re-teams with the company in the roles of God and Jesus for this production.

“The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso” retells many of the famous stories of the Bible, using song, dance and drama to portray these well known Biblical tales. To suggest African culture it will employ the vocal traditions of South Africa in five different languages – Afrikaans, English, Tswana, Xhosa and Zulu. As well as Malefane as God and Jesus, the production employs more than 30 performers, who will step into the roles of well known figures, including Cain & Abel and Adam & Eve.

As well as working for the Isango Portobello Theatre Company (for which she also fills the role of co-musical director in this production), Malefane has also been seen working for the Berlin Philharmonic during this year’s New Year Concert. She is an award winning opera singer and musical director who managed to win the award of Best Film Actress for “Son Of Man” at the African Film and Television Awards.

“The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso” is at the Garrick Theatre from Tuesday 15th September 2009 (previews from Friday 11th September 2009) to Saturday 3rd October 2009.