Earlier this year, I was approached by a Danish theatre company to write a short play on the subject of 'time.' Several playwrights around the world were briefed to write at the same time on the same day, with the collection of plays ready to be printed and produced this week in Copenhagen. I only wish I could be there to see it happen, but I'll be attending a launch of my own in Franschhoek!
I've had an essay published in "Sport Versus Art: A South African Contest," edited by Chris Thurman and published by Wits University press. The launch is being held on Wednesday 19 May 2010 at the Sigrid Rausing Studio at the Fugard Theatre in District 6.
Hot on the heels of the publication of 'Green Man Flashing' earlier this year comes an edition of 'Iago's Last Dance' - my trilogy of plays around the theme of HIV/AIDS. Junkets Press has once again done a beautiful job and the scripts are available on order from MVG Productions. Please contact Carla on info@mikevangraan.co.za for ordering details.
I will be celebrating the publication of 'Iago's Last Dance' - my 2009 trio of playlets dealing with the theme of HIV/AIDS - with a launch at the Franschhoek Literary Festival. On the 14 May at the Franschhoek Screening Room, you can catch a once-off screening of extracts from the play, as filmed during the 2009 run in Grahamstown. Scripts will be on sale and snacks will be readily available...come and join me!
I'm delighted to launch my new-look Theatre Club, together with my new-look website for April! For R250 per year membership fees, you get a free ticket to one of my shows, discounts on all bookings with (my own and affiliated) theatre productions, exclusive monthly events and lucky prize draws.
As a result of some of my plays being studied at university and senior school levels, some of these works have been published. In the last 12 months, 'Some Mothers’ Sons' was published by Wits University Press as part of an anthology of new South African plays, 'Green Man Flashing' was published by Junket Press who are also about to publish the trilogy, 'Iago’s Last Dance.' Should you wish to order any of these, write to info@mikevangraan.co.za.
This year’s London Book Fair runs from 19-21 April and focuses on South Africa with numerous local writers being featured at book launches, panel discussions and public lectures. I will stage readings of four recent plays in London from 22th-24th April to introduce my work to one of the world’s key theatre markets.
In March, 'Brothers in Blood' – my play about Jewish, Muslim and Christian relations commissioned by the Charles Diamond Foundation and the Market Theatre – won the Naledi Theatre Award for 'Best New South African Play Produced'. My most recent play – 'Iago’s Last Dance,' that deals with the HIV/AIDS pandemic – was also nominated in the recent Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards ‘Best New Script’ category.
My play about Muslim/Jewish/Christian relations commissioned by the Charles Diamond Foundation and produced by the Market Theatre - won the Naledi Award for Best New South African Play Produced on Sunday 7 March at a ceremony hosted in Pretoria's State Theatre. Denis Hutchinson also won an award for his lighting design for the play.
My trilogy inspired by the South African HIV/AIDS pandemic which premiered on the Main Programme of the National Arts Festival in 2009 - has been nominated in the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Best New Script category. Mbulelo Grootboom has also been nominated as Best Supporting Actor for his various roles in the piece. This awards ceremony will be held on 21 March.
I had the honour of delivering the keynote address at the 13th Time of the Writer Festival hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts in Durban on Tuesday 9 March.
Green Man Flashing has been published by Robin Malan's Junkets Press as a stand-alone text and is available via info@mikevangraan.co.za. This has happened in record time, and I am looking forward to Junkets Press publishing Iago's Last Dance in a couple of months' time.
Play Launch With Copenhagen Collective
