The highly anticipated African premiere of William Kentridge's large-scale theatre work, The Head & The Load, will take place at the Joburg Theatre from 21 April to 6 May 2023. 

The play explores the untold story of the millions of black African porters and carriers who served in World War I for British, French, and German battlefield forces. 

The historical significance of their crucial role in the conflict has remained largely unexamined for a century.

The production features a site-specific performance space that stretches over 50 metres, and audience members will sit on stage for a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience. 

The cast, which includes actors Hamilton Dlamini, Nhlanhla Mahlangu, Dambuza Nqumashe, and Luc De Wit, as well as vocalists Ann Masina and Joanna Dudley, vividly brings history to life through a combination of music, text, dance, film projections, mechanised sculptures, and shadow play.

The play's relevance in the contemporary art scene lies in its attempt to recognize and record the experiences of Africans who fought in the First World War, a topic that has been largely ignored by mainstream history. 

The play addresses the contradictions and paradoxes of colonialism, which were heated and compressed by circumstances of the war.

The Head & The Load is an exceptionally ambitious production that features an international cast of 38 performers, with a majority from South Africa. 

The powerful and evocative score is performed by an ensemble cast of extraordinary singers and musicians from across the globe. 

The production's arrival in Kentridge's hometown of Johannesburg is highly anticipated after a long wait due to the Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged lockdowns.

Overall, this production is an opportunity for audiences to experience a thought-provoking exploration of African history and to witness a groundbreaking theatrical experience. 

The play's accessibility initiatives aim to reach diverse communities across Johannesburg, making the performances accessible to as many people as possible.