Thembi Mtshali’s autobiographical, one-woman show, ‘Woman in Waiting’, makes its debut at City Hall theatre tomorrow evening as the first of two performances.

Created and directed by Yael Farber, it tells the story of Ms Mtshali’s life growing up as a black woman under the brutally oppressive poverty and racist policies of South Africa’s apartheid system — and of the stroke of luck which made it possible for her to leave behind life as a domestic servant for a career in the performing arts.

Ms Mtshali is from a Zulu culture, and grew up in rural South Africa. The play, co-authored by Ms Farber and Ms Mtshali, tracks the geography of her life from her early years in the rural villages to her first experience in the townships and in the Johannesburg culture. Various styles of dances and musical movements are incorporated and manifested in the play, reflecting South Africa’s diversity of cultures.

The play also reflects the African tradition of storytelling, which is less about adjectives and more about the way a story is conveyed, and as a gift which the storyteller gives to the audience. The importance of storytelling and storytellers in African culture helps to anchor Ms Mtshali’s performance in its socio-historical context.

Set, costume, props, sound and lighting are deliberately kept to a minimum to focus attention on the power of the performer — an approach to staging which is characteristic of much of South Africa’s contemporary theatre.

‘A Woman in Waiting’ promises to be an evocative and moving experience as the story of Ms Mtshali’s remarkable life unfolds against the backdrop of South Africa’s transformation from a country of dehumanising oppression and violent rebellion for people of colour to a country with the promise of political equality for all.

Tomorrow and Saturday’s performances begin at 8 p.m. For ticket availability check the Bermuda Festival box office next to the ferry terminal on Front Street between 12 noon and 2 p.m., or ( 296-5774 during those hours.