(Jayne Batzofin & Iman
Isaacs appear in “What Goes UP”. Pic by Jesse Stevenson)
Young minds from across KZN will be captivated by a new
production by award-winning theatre company FTHK.
The company is embarking on its 2015 National Schools tour
until May 27, visiting schools and organisations in Kwa-Zulu Natal as well as
the Western Cape and Free State with a new show What Goes UP…, aimed at Deaf children from 4 to 7 years old. In
addition, they will be hosting play and feedback sessions with learners to
allow them access and to engage in the joy of theatre.
Now celebrating its tenth year, FTHK is the recipient of the
2011 Fleur du Cap Award for Innovation in Theatre. This production is a new
venture for the company in many regards, as it focuses solely on Foundation
Phase learners and making a show specifically created for the Deaf child. Since
its inception in 2007, the National Schools Tour has become a firm fixture on
their calendar and it has introduced the excitement of live theatre shows and
training programmes to more than 50,000 learners.
“What Goes UP… is
a playful, gentle and explorative production devised to capture the imagination
of young learners,” says director Jayne Batzofin. “The costumes will captivate,
the puppets enchant and the story will allow learners the opportunity to
connect with their emotions of how they experience their worlds. Through the
medium of theatre, we hope to allow young Deaf children to have a different
source of stimulation and allow variety into how they receive SASL in their
formative years.”
Batzofin also performs in the show with Iman Isaacs, who was
recently seen in the film City of
Violence with Orlando Bloom. Costumes are designed and created by Jori
Snell, with the set design being created in collaboration between Snell and
Batzofin.
“By engaging with younger learners, we hope to instil in
them a sense of wonder and curiosity by playing through theatre,” says FTHK CEO
Ana Lemmer. “Non-verbal theatre has the ability to reach beyond barriers of
language and sound to open up entire new worlds especially for Deaf performers
and audience members. By facilitating play sessions, we hope to inspire,
educate, fascinate and build confidence in the learners, and raise their
interest in theatre as a medium of expression.”
The tour schedule is:
May 11-13 Kwa
Thintwa School for the Deaf , Durban
May 14: Orphan
Aid, Hillcrest
May 15: Durban
School for the Hearing Impaired, Amanzimtoti
May 16: Malvern
Children’s Home, Malvern, Durban
May 18- 20: Fulton
School for the Deaf, Gillitts, Durban
May 21: VN
Naik School for the Deaf, Indana Road, Durban
May 22: St
Martin de Porres School for the Deaf, Port Shepstone
May 23: St
Thomas’ Home for Children, Sydenham, Durban
May 25-27: Kwa
Vulindlebe School for the Deaf, Umlazi
The 2015 National Schools Tour is made possible thanks to the
generous support of the National Arts Council and the National Lotteries
Distribution Trust Fund. The production was created underneath the Inspiring a
Generation programme, supported by the Theatre Arts Admin Collective and
Assitej SA. FTHK also thanks Jazz Hands, SLED, and Mary Kihn School for the
Deaf for their immeasurable support in the creation of What Goes UP...
For further information, e-mail Ana Lemmer on ana@fthk.co.za
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