Archive for November 2023

Home Archive for November 2023

Tshedza has just dropped the trailer for Adulting S2, launching on Showmax on 4 December 2023, with new episodes on Mondays until 26 February 2023.

The boys are back, including Hunk of The Year Feather Award winner Thembinkosi Mthembu (Outlaws, Shaka iLembe, The River) as Bonga, Nhlanhla Kunene (The River, Lavish) as fan-favourite Eric, Thabiso Rammusi (The Suit) as Mpho, and Luthando BU Mthembu (Big Brother Mzansi) as Vuyani, named GQ’s Best Dressed On Screen Personality earlier this year.

Breakout star Londeka Sishi also returns as Nkanyezi, along with Lungile Duma as Zithulele and Dippy Padi as Palesa. This season also introduces SAFTA nominees and former Rhythm City castmates Samkelo Ndlovu (Umkhoka: The Curse) and Thembi Seete (Gomora, Zone 14) as Minki and Portia, as well as the likes of Nomalanga Shozi (Rhythm City, MTV Shuga and the face of BET Africa), Obakeng Kgwedi (Gomora, Kokota) and Gaisang K Noge (Naledi in The Wife).

Zibuyile Dladla caught up with Thembinkosi to find out more about his experiences on the 18LSDVN Showmax Original:

You’ve had an amazing couple of years, from acting on The River to being on Shaka Ilembe, Outlaws and Adulting, yet you come across as a very reserved and humble guy. How are you handling all of this fame and success?

To be honest with you, I really just stay at home. My main focus is all about the work. Working back to back with all these projects has really helped with honing my craft. When need be, I do go out and I do appreciate all the love I've been receiving from the public. I'm happy that after all these years, the hard work is seen and appreciated.

What’s been the most outrageous request you've read on social media from a fan?

[Laughs] There have been so many! Without being too detailed, I've had someone ask me to do to them the things I do in bed with other female characters.

How has the reunion been like with the gents this season?

We really get along, man, which makes getting into the swing of things and the brotherhood we're portraying much easier for us.

When we started working on Season 2, we had the same conversation we had when we stepped on set for Season 1. That conversation was all about ensuring that we give our all to this project. This is our baby and we were going to give it all the attention and care it deserved in order for the new season to be as successful as the first one.

We are so in sync with each other that, when it came to our first scene for this season, we hit the ground running.

Are there any character traits about Bonga you relate to?

Oh, definitely! There are many.

Firstly, Bonga is all about family: family first. With all the success he has garnered, and the women, it's his family that's still number one.

Him being a hard worker is also a character trait about Bonga I relate to and appreciate.

Lastly, Bonga is an all-around good friend. Yes, there is time for fun but he always makes sure that he checks in on his boys.

I know Bonga is the eldest child, but if you were his older brother, what advice would you give him?

I'd first advise Bonga to go to therapy. Secondly, I would tell him to not let his past or rather his parents' past dictate the outcome of his life, especially when it comes to relationships. For example, in Season 1 there is a scene where Bonga confesses to his father about his fear of commitment because of his father's past failures to commit to his mother. So with that, I'd encourage him to take control of his relationships and to take risks - as he does with his friendships and businesses. I'd encourage him to be a man and do better than his father did and to always remember to stick to his promises when it comes to relationships.

Speaking of Bonga's father, what was it like acting opposite two-time SAFTA nominee Bongani Gumede, who we all remember as Mandla Ndlovu in Isibaya?

I'm blessed to have him play the role of my father because there were so many conversations we had offscreen that I appreciated. He gave me great career and financial advice and always reminds me to keep working hard and to sharpen my skills at every opportunity I get.

Were you feeling the pressure, considering Season 1 set a new record for the most first-day views on Showmax of any drama series?

Yes, there is a bit of pressure about topping Season 1, but I do believe Season 2 will do it justice. Viewers are going to be blown away by the journey that each character is going to embark on. I'm also especially excited about my storyline: there is a lot that viewers will get to learn about Bonga as he begins to learn and unlearn the many facets of his life.

While you wait, binge S1 on Showmax here:

https://www.showmax.com/eng/tvseries/g3h6nfpu-adulting

Join the conversation:

#adultingshowmax

The South African theatre scene is abuzz with excitement as the highly anticipated ‘PULA! The Musical’ makes its grand mark at South African State Theatre for four days from 30 November - 3 December 2023.

‘PULA! The Musical’ is an exhilarating production that will transport audiences to another world of music, dance, and drama. Set in Botswana, it tells the story of Pula, or rain, which is highly cherished in the semi-arid country in Africa.

The production explores themes of love, loss, and hope, drawing on universal experiences that will resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Directed by the revered choreographer and astute creative - Andrew Letso Kola, it features a talented cast and band, showcasing a unique blend of music, dance, and theatre that is both modern and fresh, yet rooted in the rich history of Botswana and Africa. The show also features original music and choreography, with a focus on telling a powerful and meaningful story through movement and song.

"We are thrilled to bring PULA! The Musical to The State Theatre," says Production Director, Kola. "This production is a celebration of our African heritage and showcases the immense talent of our local performers.The Musical uses a combination of contemporary and traditional dance styles to create a visually stunning and emotionally charged performance that will stay with viewers long after the curtain falls. This offering is testament to the saying - music knows no bounds. We are one through music and dance, and we want to share this with our fellow brothers and sisters across the continent and the world."

The dances are deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Botswana and the African continent, incorporating elements of traditional folklore, history, and mythology into their performances. The music is a celebration of life, love, and the human experience, drawing inspiration from the country's rich cultural heritage and diverse musical traditions. The production brings together a team of talented musicians, dancers, and performers to create a dynamic and engaging performance that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Featuring a 30-member CAST, and a 7-piece band, PULA - The Musical is a must-see event for anyone who loves theatre, music, and storytelling. PULA!

Tickets are on sale now at www.webtickets.co.za and demand is expected to be high, so book your seats early to avoid disappointment.

For more information, visit www.statetheatre.co.za or:

Facebook: PULA The Musical

Instagram: @pulathemusical

Premiering on Showmax on 8 November 2023, Spinners follows Ethan (Cantona James), a 17-year-old driver working for a gang on the Cape Flats. Needing to support his younger brother but increasingly disgusted by gang life, Ethan discovers a possible way out via spinning, an extreme motorsport where he can put his driving skills to better use. With a gang war looming, can he turn his life around fast enough?

A co-production between Showmax and CANAL+, Spinners became the first African series selected in competition at Canneseries; won three awards at Dakar Series, including Best TV Series; received standing ovations in Paris and from its sold-out South African premiere at Silwerskerm; and was the opening night screening at MIP Africa, generating rave reviews. Variety calls it “Gripping… Part gangster series, part coming-of-age sports drama.”

Below is a Q&A with actor Dillon Windvogel by Caryn Welby-Solomon find out more:

How would you describe Spinners?

Ethan is stuck between the thug life, the reasons why he had to lean that way, and spinning, as an escape from that life. Spinning is this door that shows this light and limelight away from all of that.

Car culture is integral to coloured culture. How do you think Spinners honours that?

Spinning is more than a sport; it's a lifestyle. So Spinners is a love letter to coloured culture. The show truly encapsulates all that spinning is. I was blessed with the opportunity and the privilege to see spinning culture up close, and it's amazing. It's mind-blowing. They definitely honour that, with some of the great spinners from our culture featured in the show.

Tell us about your character, Shane.

Shane is like a sunflower among thorns. Even though he's been surrounded by all of the crime and this world that is similar to a battlefield, he still stays loyal. He is very close to his friends. He prioritises them above all, and he'll go to extreme lengths to save them or help them.

When he first meets Ethan, there's that instant sense of, ‘This guy needs help.’ And, ‘How can I be that help for him?’ We watch the journey as he slowly allows Ethan into his life. He wants Ethan to take his hand, but he's wary.

So I think Shane is mature in that regard - being raised in that area has made him that way - but he stays true to his core values, which are family and loyalty.

What attracted you to Spinners?

The story. It's so gritty. It reminded me of a fusion of Vikings and Game of Thrones in terms of the characters. It also reminded me of Noem My Skollie, the roughness of it. It's very raw. It's not sugar-coated, which is what I love. The story has a lot to do with trauma and pain and how each character overcomes it and makes it through this life that has been handed to them.

How is Shane different to characters you've played before, like Ashwin in danZ!, Wade in Blood & Water and Vernon in Arendsvlei?

What makes Shane different is his maturity. I feel like, most likely at the age of 12 or 13, he had to fend for himself. There was that point of responsibility and independence that hit him early. So even with how he carries himself, there's that emotional maturity. And that makes him completely different to the rest of the characters I’ve played.

It’s also the first time I was able to play a character in my mother tongue. And I don't mean suiwer Afrikaans. I don't mean English. I mean ‘Mengels’. We were privileged to throw in English when it felt like English and throw in Afrikaans when it felt like Afrikaans. And that was definitely lovely.

What kind of research did you do for the role?

Shane is a mechanic so the majority of my research was done stalking my uncle, who's a mechanic. Seeing what things to do on a car and then seeing how I would verbally explain what I'm doing or what I see him doing. And then I also spent time trying to understand cars and understand how they can move the way they move.

Even before we started shooting, we got to learn how to drive a car that spins, which is completely different to a normal car. Luckily, I didn't have my licence then, so it didn't mess me up, which is good, because it's a bit confusing.

What was it like working with the rest of the cast?

Working with them is like being a naughty child. Cantona and I had met before but I met all my character’s best friends at the script reading, and from then until the end of shooting, we were like five small children at the back of a class and just having a ball of time. It was an experience that I'll definitely never forget.

It was also lovely for me to experience watching them perform. Just seeing the limits that they reach and seeing how truthfully and beautifully they portray their roles made me feel like I needed to bring my all as well. So we definitely pushed each other. For me, that's always a nice thing.

I never felt like I was working. Even to this day, we still link up outside of work.

Why do you think Spinners is unique in how it deals with gangsterism?

What makes it unique is how gangsterism is portrayed, especially by Elton Landrew and Brendon Daniels. These gangsters have a heart yet they're not afraid to ignore what the heart says. And I think that's what makes it different from all the other gangster movies, where we assume they're shooting, and they don't care, it’s just gunshots. Whereas in Spinners, we see how they care. And I think they beautifully portrayed those moments to show heart and the struggle to leave the heart behind and not listen to the heart. They are rough, but they are still human, with a certain understanding of Ethan and his circumstances.

How do you feel that coloured cultures have developed on screen?

I think the world now views coloured people differently. Before there was always this notion that a coloured actor would be more fit to play a skollie or a person who lives on the street, or someone from a struggling family, where the husband or the wife is in debt, or they are drunks.

But now, with the current depictions, we have shown there are different sides to coloured people. We are not all rough. We don't even all speak the same. We have different accents. We have different ways of using words. We come from different backgrounds. We come from different homes.

In the last couple of years, a change has happened for script writing, for production companies, for actors. You see them in the roles that make sense to what the truth actually is. That has definitely been a privilege to see and a privilege to be a part of, having each race be portrayed in the way that it should be.

Why do you think people should watch Spinners?

It's exciting. It's exhilarating. It's rough.

Any person who likes a high-speed action thriller, anyone who loves comedy, anyone who wants a touch of romance, would enjoy the show.

And if you're a huge fan of Cantona James, like I am, this is definitely the show to watch.

ABOUT SPINNERS

Spinners is co-created by producer Joachim Landau and showrunner Benjamin Hoffman of Empreinte Digitale, currently up for the International Emmy for TV Movie/Mini-Series for Infiniti.

Spinners is helmed by Jaco Bouwer, director of the 2022 SAFTA Best TV Drama winner 4 Mure and the 2021 SXSW Cinematography winner Gaia, which just won four 2023 SAFTAs, including Best Film and Director.

Spinners’ story was developed by and head written by SAFTA and Silwerskerm winners Sean Steinberg and Matthew Jankes.

DJ Ready D is the music supervisor and also composed tracks for the series. Listen to the soundtrack:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4IswFcM3dBV5AaWMJDHHyp

Watch the trailer:

https://youtu.be/wJfvUrDssh8?si=1pqf3pU6JG8c2f1r

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Thembinkosi Mthembu opens up about Adulting as S2 trailer drops

PULA! The Musical Takes The State Theatre by Storm

“These gangsters have a heart yet they're not afraid to ignore what the heart says." Spinners premieres tomorrow on Showmax