Mark Dornford-May News

The South African Isango Ensemble's production of 'The Magic Flute: Impepe Yomlingo,' strips away some of the glossy sheen of Mozart's master work, leaving a show that is more down to earth and yet still revels in the joy of the composer's music. Under Mark Dunford May's direction, this 'Magic Flute' transports the show to an African township, showcasing a transposed score for African instruments and encompassing various African dialects (as well as English - the primary language used in the show).

g its Off-Broadway debut at The New Victory Theater from today, November 1 - November 9, Isango Ensemble's Young Vic production of The Magic Flute: Impempe Yomlingo reimagines Mozart's masterpiece opera with a South African context. Featuring township percussion, an orchestra of marimbas and a cast of more than thirty vibrant voices from the townships surrounding Cape Town, and winner of the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and a Globes de Cristal for Best Opera, this Magic Flute dazzles with drama, comedy and the sublime joy of finding true love.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Isango Ensemble's The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo), bringing thirty actors and musicians from South Africa to Chicago as part of CST's celebrated World's Stage Series. The Magic Flute reimagines Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most beloved operatic work, incorporating African singing, pulsating beats and spirited storytelling into this 223-year-old classic. Based in Cape Town, the vibrant company of the Isango Ensemble unites the diverse nation of Africa by reinventing classics from the Western theater canon within a South African setting. Adapted and directed by Isango co-founder Mark Dornford-May, The Magic Flute took London by storm, garnering London's prestigious Laurence Olivier Award. The production will be performed at Skyline Stage on Navy Pier (next door to CST) for a limited engagement, September 25-28, 2014. Check out highlights below!

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Isango Ensemble's The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo), bringing thirty actors and musicians from South Africa to Chicago as part of CST's celebrated World's Stage Series. The Magic Flute reimagines Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most beloved operatic work, incorporating African singing, pulsating beats and spirited storytelling into this 223-year-old classic. Based in Cape Town, the vibrant company of the Isango Ensemble unites the diverse nation of Africa by reinventing classics from the Western theater canon within a South African setting. Adapted and directed by Isango co-founder Mark Dornford-May, The Magic Flute took London by storm, garnering London's prestigious Laurence Olivier Award. The production will be performed at Skyline Stage on Navy Pier (next door to CST) for a limited engagement, today, September 25-28, 2014.

The month-long, citywide festival UBUNTU: Music and Arts of South Africa concludes in early November with events ranging from concerts at Carnegie Hall to music, theater, and film screenings at partner venues throughout New York City.

Making its Off-Broadway debut at The New Victory Theater from November 1 - November 9, Isango Ensemble's Young Vic production of The Magic Flute: Impempe Yomlingo reimagines Mozart's masterpiece opera with a South African context. Featuring township percussion, an orchestra of marimbas and a cast of more than thirty vibrant voices from the townships surrounding Cape Town, and winner of the 2008 Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and a Globes de Cristal for Best Opera, this Magic Flute dazzles with drama, comedy and the sublime joy of finding true love.

Offering a South African spin on Mozart's beloved opera, the Isango Ensemble brings simple stagecraft and a unique musical flair to Washington for a limited run. Performing in repertory with Shakespeare's VENUS AND ADONIS for a limited run, Isango displays their expert ensemble in a must-see production. THE MAGIC FLUTE - IMPEMPE YOMLINGO distills the characters, story and music from one of the most popular operas in the Western repertoire.

The Isango Ensemble, brought to Washington as part of The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Presentations Series focusing on works from around the world, is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and is made up of performers from the surrounding area, who were sought out and brought together in 2000 by Director and co-founder Mark Dornford-May. Isango looks at Western works through an African lens, and what they bring to this 400 year old classic work is both ancient and contemporary, simple and lush, quiet and thunderous, straightforward and nuanced. Weaving the African rhythms, music, vocalizations and instrumentation with Venus and Adonis, uses a deeply human, very grounded style to tell a vaunted story of the love of a goddess for a mere mortal.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents Isango Ensemble's The Magic Flute (Impempe Yomlingo), bringing thirty actors and musicians from South Africa to Chicago as part of CST's celebrated World's Stage Series. The Magic Flute reimagines Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most beloved operatic work, incorporating African singing, pulsating beats and spirited storytelling into this 223-year-old classic. Based in Cape Town, the vibrant company of the Isango Ensemble unites the diverse nation of Africa by reinventing classics from the Western theater canon within a South African setting. Adapted and directed by Isango co-founder Mark Dornford-May, The Magic Flute took London by storm, garnering London's prestigious Laurence Olivier Award. The production will be performed at Skyline Stage on Navy Pier (next door to CST) for a limited engagement, September 25-28, 2014.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company brings two productions by the Isango Ensemble to Washington, D.C., as part of STC's 2014-2015 Presentation Series. The Isango Ensemble's unique performances reset Western theatre classics within a South African township, utilizing music, dance and elements of South African heritage. The Ensemble will perform an adaption of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute- Impempe Yomlingo and Shakespeare's epic love poem Venus and Adonis in repertory at the Lansburgh Theatre September 12-21, 2014. Tickets for non-subscribers will be available starting August 1, when individual tickets for the 2014-2015 STC Season go on sale.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the 2014/15 World's Stage Series-bringing the most fresh and innovative work from theater companies around the world to Chicago and touring CST-developed productions to festivals abroad. From Australia, South Africa, France, England, Scotland and Belgium, this season's offerings for Chicago audiences feature productions from eight internationally acclaimed theater companies. In keeping with the mission of the World's Stage program to serve as an international cultural ambassador for Chicago, the Theater is also touring CST-produced work abroad to Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

The Toronto International Film Festival has announced its Contemporary World Cinema lineup today, featuring films produced by countries from around the world.

The multi award winning Cape Town company Isango returns to London for a four week season at Hackney Empire from tonight, Friday 11 May to Sunday 3 June 2012. The Hackney Empire, supported by the Columbia Fund, will present Aesop's Fables, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and La Boheme which will premiere in Cape Town in partnership with The Global Fund on 16 February.

Eines der großten Meisterwerke des klassischen Musiktheaters in sudafrikanischem Gewand. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts „Die Zauberflote", kommt fur nur zwei Wochen in einer atemberaubenden und mitreißenden Inszenierung nach Berlin. Von Kapstadt ins Londoner West End, nach Tokio, Singapur und Paris - weltweit wurde die beruhmte Mozartoper mit dem sudafrikanischen Isango Ensemble gefeiert. Sie ist Abenteuer, Marchen, Komodie und Drama zugleich.

The multi award winning Cape Town company Isango returns to London for a four week season at Hackney Empire from Friday 11 May to Sunday 3 June 2012. The Hackney Empire, supported by the Columbia Fund, will present Aesop's Fables, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and La Boheme which will premiere in Cape Town in partnership with The Global Fund on 16 February.

Today, Isango Ensemble announced Sir Ian McKellen as its new patron.

The critically acclaimed production of The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso will complete its limited run at the Garrick Theatre on 3 October, as previously announced.

A new production of The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso, the musical that has been seen by audiences of over 250,000 worldwide, will return to London for twenty five performances only at the Garrick Theatre from 11 September - 3 October, with press night on 15 September 2009.

The critically acclaimed production of The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso will complete its limited run at the Garrick Theatre on 3 October, as previously announced.

The critically acclaimed production of The Mysteries - Yiimimangaliso will complete its limited run at the Garrick Theatre on 3 October, as previously announced.