THENJIWE STEMELA | The Treatment

In partnership with Distell and the Baxter Theatre Centre and supported by BASA
Written by Martin Crimp
Directed and Designed by Thenjiwe Stemela
Performed by Lesoko Seabe, Matt Newman, Danieyella Rodin, Glen Biderman-Pam, Richard September, Loren Loubser and Oscar Sander
Mentored by Liz Mills
Poster Design by Warren Turner
Photos by Dex Goodman

"They say 'we do not have the words to describe this state of affairs , this state of the world.' They say 'words fail us'. But words can't fail, Anne, only we can fail".

I have been drawn to your work since watching a performance of “Attempts of Her Life” in 2008 at university – incidentally on the day I nearly quit my theatre studies to pursue a commerce degree. I was enthralled by the work and the text for its ability to capture in language and imagery a contemporary state of existence. This year I was compelled to apply for this bursary in order to be able to direct “The Treatment” after a series of experiences as a budding television writer exposed me to a precarious balance between sensationalism and journalistic integrity, especially in how the stories of people, more particularly women, are appropriated and manipulated for consumption - letter to Martin Crimp