Infectious
and vibrant toe-tapping fun from Sibikwa Players’ acclaimed show. (Review by
Caroline Smart)
Having
opened last night in the Playhouse Loft, Sibikwa Players’ acclaimed Kwela Bafana lives up to its major success in Gauteng and is now set to delight
Durban audiences as well.
The Sibikwa Arts Centre was founded in the
80s by Phyllis Klotz and Smal Ndaba who direct Kwela Bafana with top-class musical direction by Themba Mkhize and
choreography by Cassius Tlhothalemaje. Sarah Roberts’ set and costume designs
are highly effective.
The storyline aims to preserve and pay
homage to the music of township bands and musicians of the 50’s - whether in
Soweto, Cato Manor or District Six - and their strong forward-thinking despite
the hardship of the times.
Kwela
Bafana is set in a Sophiatown shebeen run by Sis
Peggy who keeps a tight rein on her customers as well as on her pretty daughter,
Ntombi. Sis Peggy’s choice of music is to “go American style” which provides
the opportunity for some great numbers. As Sis Peggy, Velephi Khumalo gives a
strong performance as the owner of the shebeen as well as a proud winner of a
talent competition and a concerned mother. A consummate actress, singer and
dancer, her rendition of Lakutshon’ilanga
was very moving.
As her daughter Ntombi, the diminutive
Thembi Nkosi is charming as the star-struck young girl who wants to go on the
stage.
Into this scenario comes a vibrant foursome
– Fezela, Poison, Spike and Styles - who, given half a chance, will snatch a
free drink from the bottles on Sis Peggy’s table. One of their number’s
attitude towards their downtrodden plight is to: “Live fast, die young and make
a good-looking corpse!” However, they provide a strong support group for her
when the news comes that they have to move to Meadowlands as part of the forced
removals.
While he has been back to his hometown in Barnyard Theatre productions, it is good to see Joel Zuma back on
the Playhouse stage. As the smooth-talking Fezela, he impresses with his
dramatic and movement ability especially as a long-suffering induna of a toilet
bucket collection team whose workers get a bit out of control!
As Poison, Dumisani Mhlanga is amusing as
Sis Peggy’s long-suffering admirer although she chooses to ignore his advances.
His deep voice provides the solid base for the close harmonies and it came to
the fore in King Kong.
Siphiwe Nkabinde as Spike – with toothpick
firmly between his teeth – is in love with Ntombi although they must keep their
love a secret from Sis Peggy. Nkabinde impressed with his dance ability and
versatility.
The foursome is a delight in their
individual ways. However, it is Andries Mbali as Styles who steals the show
with his comedic ability, particularly in a hilarious scene when he plays an
unfaithful wife.
While dance forms an integral part of Kwela Bafana, what marks the quality of
this production is the standard of the music. The close harmony work is good
and solo performances are excellent. There was a particularly memorable
rendition of George Gershwin’s Summertime.
Leading the five-piece band is the
inimitable Bra B Ngwenya, an original member of Kwela Bafana, whose stage presence and command of his keyboard
rigorously contradict his advancing years. Seated centre stage, he often forms
part of the action to great effect. Behind him is an excellent tight-knit group
of musicians comprising Lunga Mgcina on sax and pennywhistle, Thuto Motsemme on
double bass/bass guitar, Wandile Molefe on keyboards and Siphiwe Kubheka on
drums.
While
the production covers the trials and tribulations of the time, the focus is on
survival so there is a strong and positive energy running throughout with
infectious and vibrant toe-tapping fun.
Kwela
Bafana runs in the Playhouse
Loft until December 22, although there is no performance on December 15 in
honour of Nelson Mandela’s funeral. Performances at 19h00 with matinees at 14h30
on Sundays. Tickets R80 booked through the Playhouse box office on 031 369 9456
or at Computicket. – Caroline Smart
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