Yesterday I featured their last production, U-Carmen, an adaptation of perhaps the world’s most-loved opera, Bizet’s Carmen. Today brings news that the internationally acclaimed South African Theater Company, Isango Ensemble, is re-imagining another operatic work, Benjamin Britten’s 1957 work, Noye’s Fludde.

ScreenDaily reports exclusively that director Mark Dornford-May (who made his feature film debut with U-Carmen) has wrapped production on Unogumbe, a filmed opera based on Benjamin Britten’s work, which is a medieval retelling of the Noah’s Ark story.

The film stars stars Pauline Malefane, who also starred in U-Carmen, playing the lead role, updated to “Mrs Noah,” in a work that’s described as a complete reworking of Britten’s original opera piece.

“True to form and following our Berlinale winner UCarmen eKhayelitsha and Sundance hit Son of Man, the Isango company have come up with a thoroughly engaging and wonderfully entertaining piece of work,” said producer Film & Music Entertainment’s Mike Downey. “We will be in Cannes to sign an international sales company for the film as well as to present for selection at upcoming A Festivals.”

The film stars Khayelitsha Township-based theatre company Isango Ensemble. 

No trailer yet.