With the massacre of women becoming a norm, Leo trains his wife to give her a fighting chance. As lions abandon their own to find greener pastures, this once strong bond collapses and the cycle of Gender Based Violence continues.
EXPRESSED is a one-act musical written and directed by Mthokozisi Zulu. Ayanda Nzimande plays the lead role of Safia, Leo's wife living on a land not guaranteeing the safety of women. Minenhle Sikhosana plays the role of Mama, a Matriarch that has experienced Gender Based Violence and watches it happen daily.
For this run, there is a special appearance of Mbalenhle Mavimbela, playing a role that shows
us a different side to the war women face.
Mthokozisi Zulu has been writing about Gender Based Violence since 2017 after two friends he studied Drama with, were murdered in Soweto and their bodies we found dumped. He attended the bail hearing of the perpetrators and after seeing their excitement when they received a bail of R5000 and R3000, the look on one of the late friend’s parent pushed him to do something...or at least try. He wrote SCUTTLING SKIN that same night which was performed at Soweto Theatre for the Solos & Duets Festival 2020 and then later wrote FED which received a Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2021 National Arts Festival. EXPRESSED is his latest work and features new original music that persisted as he wrote the script, initially meant to be a dramatic two-hander.