Travel road to SA's fiery '50s

31 August 2015 - 08:43 By LEONIE WAGNER

Get your dompas ready. Mzansi Magic's new series The Road premieres tonight and is set to transport viewers back to the 1950s. The Sophiatown period piece boasts iconic costumes and music from a time that born-frees will be intrigued by, but are unlikely to relate to.But just when viewers are absorbed into Kofifi, they'll be ripped back to modern- day Johannesburg.The Road's story within a story approach will require focus from viewers.With its star-studded cast of industry stalwarts and unusual newbies, it's likely to be a hit on the small screen and on social media.Luthuli Dlamini, who plays a producer, described The Road as a "groundbreaking" show.He said: "We tend to think audiences aren't as clever as they are, but audiences love to be engaged."When you get a storyline that is nicely convoluted, the audience will get it."Dlamini, who was one of the axed Generations actors, has also starred in Scandal and The Coconuts.Other cast members include kwaito artist Kabelo Mabalane, comedian Trevor Gumbi, singer Nandi Mngoma, Gail Mabalane and Darlington Michael, best known as Papa G from Isidingo.Gail Mabalane said: "I'm excited that the South African television industry is growing. The Road is something that has never been done before. It's going to be challenging, we're asking viewers to invest in two storylines."While The Road showcases amazing costumes, great music and tweetable one-liners, there's no denying the elephant in the room that was apartheid and how the show will deal with that.Dlamini said: "It doesn't shy away from the important aspects of the 1950s - the ugly side of the 1950s; apartheid, violence, Sophiatown residents and the government, but it doesn't touch on political aspects."The only reason audiences will riot is if Eskom's load-shedding kicks in during the show."..

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