William Kentridge & Handspring Puppet Company
Faustus in Africa!
Johannesburg, Kapstadt
In «Faustus in Africa!», the famous literary figure embarks on a safari, where his legendary thirst for knowledge mutates into colonial greed. A grand journey merging theatre, music, the world-renowned puppets of the Handspring Puppet Company, and animations by William Kentridge.
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«Faustus in Africa!» – in the version by William Kentridge and the Handspring Puppet Company – transfers the ambition of Faustus, Goethe’s famous protagonist, and his willingness to make a pact with the devil in exchange for success, to the context of colonial history and the exploitation of the African continent. Faustus embarks on a safari, and his thirst for knowledge turns into greed. With stunning puppetry, animation, a large cast of actors, and elaborate sound with music by Warrick Sony and James Phillips, this grand journey becomes a sensual and surreal experience. Thirty years after their award-winning collaboration, Kentridge and Handspring return with a new version – its themes as relevant as ever.
This new adaptation is laced with the irony of South African writer and performance poet Lesego Rampolokeng, along with references to current politics and exploitation in South Africa and around the world. «Faustus in Africa!» marks the long-awaited return of William Kentridge and the Handspring Puppet Company to Zurich, where they triumphed with three of their visually stunning productions at the Theater Spektakel in the 1990s. Kentridge, who has since returned to Zurich with his own works, is widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary artists.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- Th 28.08. 19:00 - 20:30 CHF 55.–/30.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
- Fr 29.08. 19:30 - 21:00 CHF 55.–/30.–
- Sa 30.08. 19:30 - 21:00 CHF 55.–/30.– Quota of tickets available at the box office
Support programme
Audience Talk
Fri 29.8., after the show, with Handspring Puppet Company
Moderation (English): Maren Rieger
Accessibility
Audio Description
Live audio description (including spoken surtitles) will be available at the performances on Thu, August 28 and Fri, August 29. If you would like to make use of this service, you can indicate it when booking your ticket online.
Artistic direction and cast
| Regie | William Kentridge |
|---|---|
| Mit | Eben Genis, Atandwa Kani, Mongi Mthombeni, Wessel Pretorius, Asanda Rilityana, Buhle Stefane, Jennifer Steyn |
| Regieassistenz | Lara Foot |
| Leitung Puppenspiel | Adrian Kohler, Basil Jones (Handspring Puppet Company) |
| Probenleitung & Assistenz Puppenspiel | Enrico Dau Yang Wey |
| Ausstattung | Adrian Kohler, William Kentridge |
| Animation | William Kentridge |
| Puppen- bau | Adrian Kohler, Tau Qwelane |
| Puppenkostüme | Hazel Maree Hiltrud von Seidlitz, Phyllis Midlane |
| Spezialeffekte | Simon Dunckley |
| Bühnenbild | Adrian Kohler |
| Bühnenbau | Dean Pitman (Ukululama Projects) |
| Bühnenmalerei & Ausstattung | Nadine Minnaar (Scene Visual Productions) |
| Musik | James Phillips, Warrick Sony |
| Ton | Simon Kohler |
| Licht & Produktionsleitung | Wesley France |
| Tontechnik | Tebogo Laaka |
| Management Technik | Lucile Quinton |
| Übersetzung | Katrin Meyberg |
| Operator | Dòra Kapusta |
| Videotechnik & Foto | Kim Gunning |
Production
| Produktion | Quaternaire Paris |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | ThŽ‰tre de la Ville Festival d’Automne Paris, The Baxter Theatre Centre an der UniversitŠt Kapstadt, Centre d’art Battat, CitŽ europŽenne du thŽ‰tre – Domaine d’O – Montpellier / PCM2025, Fondazione Campania des Festival – Campania Teatro Festival, Grec Festival, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Thalia Theater Hamburg |
Werft
Epic theatre, Faustian pact. Music & animations
Swiss Premiere
Duration
1.30 hrs.
Language
English
Surtitles
German
Age
16 years plus