After Nines

After Nines! was a community theatre production, based on life stories, testimonies, anecdotes and folklore, about the history of black lesbian and gay communities in South Africa. [...] After Nines! was initiated by GALA in 1998 and was one of GALA’s earliest projects after it was established the year before. [...] The production is based on stories collected by the cast, as well as records already housed in the GALA archives. After Nines! was devised and directed by Robert Colman, along with the original five black, queer cast members - Zodwa Shongwe, Zakhi Radebe, Mpumi Njinge, Wewe Ngidi and Paul Mokgethi-Heath. [...] After NinesThe original cast of After Nines! during a performance in Johannesburg. L-R: Zodwa Shongwe, Wewe Ngidi, Mpumi Njinge, Zakhi Radebe, Paul Mokgethi-Heath. Photograph: Ruphin Coudyzer. [...] After Nines! took its title from black township slang that refers a person only being gay after nine o’clock in the evening. [...] The production premiered in August 1998 at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre and was described as “a jazzy musical about our gay and lesbian history” in the programme. [...] Through song and dance, After Nines! documented the often painful and secretive history of being black and gay in South Africa. [...] Flyer from the National Arts Festival production of After Nines!, July 1999 After Nines! toured community theatre venues and township halls around Gauteng, such as the Harrison Reef Hotel in Hillbrow, the Yeoville Recreation Centre and the Sibikwa Centre in Benoni. [...] Extract from the After Nines! script The After Nines! collection consists of interviews with the cast, which formed the basis for the theatre productions, as well as a range of material relating to the show’s production, including a script, filmed footage, photographs, publicity material, media reviews and memorabilia. [...] And to liberate gay and lesbian people to accept themselves, and to come to terms with their sexual orientation.” - Paul Mokgethi-Heath, performer in After Nines!, gay rights and HIV/AIDS activist. Quoted from an interview for the documentary Apostles of Civilised Vice, 1999 (Achmat-Lewis Collection) Paul Mokgethi-Heath (centre) with fellow cast members“After Nines! was an applied theatre scr