From 27 January 2010, the Windybrow Centre for the Arts will erupt in a celebration of age-old African music and dance traditions linked to the marriage ceremony in Bogosi Bolokwe’s play Umshado.

This illuminating and entertaining musical outing, which has been critically acclaimed for its “beautiful dancing and sharp choreography”, will run at the Windybrow Main Theatre until 7 February.

With celebrated Standard Bank Young Artist winner Zenzi Mbuli mentoring writer/director Bolokwe, Umshado features a large cast and band, under the expert guidance of musical director Eddie Mathiba and choreographer Lennox Thulani Sibisi.

“Umshado”, meaning “the wedding”, explores a young man’s physical and mental journey from his rural roots to the sprawling shanty town of Mamelodi in Pretoria. The narrative follows his rites of passage – from initiation to marriage – through the music and dance forms that make up such an important part of Nguni, Sesotho and Tswana heritage.

The result is a rich tapestry of sonic and performance styles associated with various cultures: from the marabi-influenced indunduma urban dance form through to thula ndivile and isikhuze.

The music has been composed by Mthandeni Mvelase, a self-taught instrumentalist who has worked with the likes of Mbongeni Ngema and Jabu Khanyile. Sibisi, who has also worked closely with Ngema and Mbuli in the past, is regarded as one of the country’s most promising and dynamic choreographers.

Playwright Bolokwe was trained by the late Gibson Kente and has contributed to projects as wide-ranging and diverse as Umoja: The Spirit of Togetherness and Idols, while working in youth theatre development and penning plays.

The Windybrow – a historic, character-filled national monument in downtown Johannesburg – will also play host to Dan Seroba’s play Lion of Gaza from 17 to 28 February – the true story of King Nghunghunyana of the Vatsonga-Machangana nation, set in the Gaza region of Portuguese-occupied Mozambique in the 19th century.

This will be followed by Like Cain and Abel, written and directed by Thapelo Motloung, from 10 March to 21 March. Likely to be a controversial production, it was developed in response to the lack of acceptance of bisexual and gay people in the broader black community and seeks to explore themes such as tolerance and family ties.

Performances of Umshado are on Tuesdays to Saturdays at 8pm, and on Sundays at 3pm. Tickets cost R45 on weekdays and R55 on Fridays to Sundays, and are available at Computicket or the door. Phone (011) 720-7009 for more information.