"History is a barrier, especially for an audience unfamiliar with opera." So says Andrew Verster, designer of Faust, Opera Africa's latest production. He goes on to explain that those unfamiliar with opera are the very people Opera Africa is trying to reach. This is why he has designed the costumes and set as if the opera was taking place in West Street and the whole cosmopolitan and ethnic mix that is Durban.

Leading roles will be taken by Bongani Tembe, Linda Bukhosini, Bronwyn Forbay, Fikile Mvingelwa and Rouel Beukes. The 60-strong chorus will comprise members of the Cantata Chorale from Esikhawini and the production will feature the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. Faust runs in the Playhouse Opera on April 28 and 30 and May 2.