Outgoing National Arts Festival director Ismail Mahomed has a self-confessed obsession with significant dates in SA’s history, and regularly posts Facebook updates in this regard. Three years ago, he duly noted the anniversary of crusading journalist and anti-apartheid activist Ruth First’s assassination — and something twanged in the mind of actress and theatre educator Jackie Rens.“I became absolutely captivated by her story,” relates Rens, on the eve of leaving her base at Oakfields College in Pretoria to rehearse the play Ruth First: 117 Days in Cape Town ahead of its world premiere at this year’s festival.The play forms part of the solo theatre showcase at the festival in Grahamstown from June 30 to July 10, where there is a spotlight on women this year. On the main programme, almost 80% of the works either have women commanding centre stage or are written, directed or curated by women.It’s no coincidence: in Mahomed’s final year at the festival’s artistic helm before assuming ...
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