Bulelani Mabutyana and Siphenathi Mayekiso
A new South African play about friendship amid prejudice, Imbilini…my friend! makes its debut at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, from Thursday June 9 to Saturday June 25, at 7.30pm, with Saturday matinees at 2.30pm.
The two-hander, written and performed by Bulelani Mabutyana, along with Siphenathi Mayekiso, explores trust, empathy and that of being the other. A deep and profound friendship is put to the test between two young men who must grapple with issues of poverty, alcoholism, prejudice, society’s beliefs about albinism and the harshness of urban life.
Directed by Mdu Kweyama, Imbilini…my friend! was selected from a cohort of 10 creatives who attended The Baxter Masambe Playlab, a four-month long, writing residency which was held at the Baxter last year and which offered writers time, space, peer-to-peer mentoring and financial resources to create new work, as part of the Baxter’s Platform for Special Talent programme.
Under the guidance of writer and director Lara Foot, Mabutyana and Mayekiso wrote Imbilini…my friend! as an ode to their friendship, one of protectiveness amid society’s warped beliefs about albinism. There is an age restriction of 13 years.
Book through Webtickets or at Pick n Pay stores. For discounted block or school bookings, charities or fundraisers contact Carmen Kearns on camen.kearns@uct.ac.za or 021 680 3993.