FRONTLINES

(Pic by Val Adamson: Kivithra Naicker, Tamika Sewnarain and Xolile Gumede)

Collection of thoughts, images, testimonies, letters and responses to global conflict.

FrontLines, a collection of thoughts, images, testimonies, letters and responses to global conflict in the 20th century, is being re-staged at the Courtyard Theatre at DUT from March 20.

FrontLines was a major drama theatrical undertaking last year and saw for the first time a collaboration between the drama departments of DUT and UKZN in their first joint performance project together. The production was jointly devised and directed by Tanya van der Walt, a lecturer in TV, Drama and Production Studies department from the Durban University of Technology, and Tamar Meskin a lecturer in Drama and Performance Studies of UKZN with input from the cast.

The project was initially planned to be a workshopping process for the students from the two campuses, culminating in a five performance season in September last year. Subsequently, there has been such interest, input and revised material, that Meskin and Van der Walt are re-working the concept and re-staging the production for a second season, literally due to public, academic and student demand.

FrontLines creatively explores aspects of global war and conflict. Told as image theatre, aspects of war are examined in a non-linear expressionist way. The production touches on the two World Wars, Vietnam, the SADF, genocide, terrorism, the holocaust, xenophobia, Iraq and the recent conflicts throughout Africa. The production attempts to present a personal view of the global political issues with well researched private letters, photographs, reflections, anecdotes, narratives, songs and stories. Van der Walt and Meskin spent days in the Imperial War Museum in London and international and local libraries and archives researching the personal stories which punctuate the various wars and conflicts.

“Wars are fought over lines on maps, but no one really ever gets to see the lines,” explains Tamar Meskin. “The lines really exist only in our heads. There has been a moral dilemma over the concept of a ‘just war’ which is never really resolved. We never learn from the generation which has gone before.”

FrontLines will have a similar cast to last year – being again created by approximately 20 students each from DUT and UKZN. The students, mostly second and third year undergraduates complemented with some post-graduate students, are finding a new way of working which involves the students in the creative process. They are working with multiple experiences, creating work from raw authentic source material which enables the students to tell real-life stories in an evocative, interesting, theatrical and meaningful way. The production also uses live music and a 15 member choir. Music has been composed and lyrics written inspired by the source material.

The directors explain that the preparation for this production and the rehearsal process has been an incredible emotional journey for all concerned – sometimes profound and other times harrowing. They are working from original letters, diaries, correspondence, photographs, biographies and family reminiscences. Many of the students had scant knowledge of the history and politics of the wars – even from our own past. Learning about the apartheid-era wars and conflicts was an eye-opener for many of the cast members.

FrontLines is created by Tamar Meskin, Tanya van der Walt and the cast. Set is by Stephen Woodroffe, and lighting by Wesley Maherry.

To encourage better understanding and appreciation of this astonishing work, tis facilitating pre-performance lectures prior to select performances. UKZN’s Tamar Meskin and DUT’s Tanya van der Walt will be presenting a pre-performance lecture an hour prior to the shows on xyz (date).

FrontLines runs from March 20 to 25 at 19h30 (except March 23 when the show is at 20h30) at the Courtyard Theatre at DUT in Mansfield Road. Entrance fee R20. More information and booking from Lebohang Sibisi on 031 373 2194. There will be a pre-performance lecture facilitated by the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) at 19h30 prior to the show on March 23.