Cape Times reports that musical classic Sarafina has been hit by a payment dispute, with unpaid cast and crew refusing to perform.  

The actors of the new and revived 80s hit refused to go to the stage for their daily performance of the remake of Mbongeni Ngema’s musical from Wednesday, forcing the SA State Theatre (SAST) to cancel all shows until Sunday.  It is alleged the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) has not paid Committed Artists, a SA theatre company, what is owed in respect of the production.  

SAST chief executive, Dr Sibongseni Mkhize, commented:  “We wish to emphasise that the show has not been closed, but the SAST management have temporarily suspended performances until the funding issues between the DAC and Committed Artists are resolved.”  Mkhize indicated that, although Sarafina was not a State Theatre production, the fact that it was being presented there had serious implications for the theatre’s reputation.  The show’s opening night was on 10 March and the closing night is scheduled to be 20 May.

• Read this report by Nomaswazi Nkosi in full at Cape Times
• See too, Sarafina in no show as actors strike, at SowetanLive

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page