national Arts Festival Banner

Sunday, May 16, 2010

AMAGAMA AMATHATHU TURNS 100!

(Pictured at Markland Secondary are (from left) Head Boy Justin Samsunder, Head Girl Akira Madanlall, Mpume Mthombeni with Puppet Thembe, Dep. Principal Mr Pillay, T-Bone Hlahane with Puppet Sizwe, Dep. Head Boy Eldon Munsamy, Dep. Head Girl Chantal Molechan and Principal Mr Moodley)

Amagama Amathathu 2010, the HIV Aids awareness puppet theatre production from Arley’s Workshop, recently celebrated its hundredth performance at Markland Secondary in Shallcross.

The show, which has been touring schools since January this year, thanks to funding from the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, is scheduled to give 150 performances. Directed by Gisele Turner and performed by well-known Durban actors, Mpume Mthombeni and T-Bone Hlahane, Amagama Amathathu 2010 has been making an impact wherever it plays.

The response to the production has been very positive with both educators and learners praising the show for its excellent performance quality and the relevance of the script. The innovative use of puppets has proved to be a very effective way of getting this sensitive message across and the play holds the audience attention by presenting local characters in recognisable situations.

“This production is very forceful, very hard hitting,” said Mr Pillay from Markland. “We worry about our youth; they are the precious people of the future and we welcome anything that will help to make them more aware of the dangers of HIV Aids.”

Amagama Amathatu 2010 is a production that speaks to the hearts of each one of us about HIV Aids,” commented Mrs Tate, head of the Inanda Seminary. “The song, the rap and the audience involvement is wonderful and our students really got the message in a powerful way. I do believe that this is one of the finest productions that we have ever had.”

Sanele Ngidi wrote on the Amagama Amathathu 2010 Facebook wall: “I remember when you guys came to my school and I will never forget that education experience. I like what you are doing for the youth....”

Amagama Amathatu 2010 is due to give its final performances this month and then members of Arley’s Workshop get ready to embark on two further projects with NLDTF assistance – a environmental awareness production and a comedy that examines the effect of ‘texting’ on written language.

Qualifying schools interested in booking a free performance of Amagama Amathathu in May should contact Chantal Snyman on 073 653 0067 or Gisele Turner on 083 545 8546.