(Themi Venturas)
Story by Billy Suter (courtesy of sosuterbill)
The 100 or so stones and pebbles, many of them with
messages, that mourners placed into buckets at Durban’s Playhouse last
September, during the memorial service there for local theatre stalwart Themi
Venturas, are to be displayed in a commemorative frame at the Elizabeth Sneddon
Theatre.
The pebbles, which have been in safe-keeping to allow for a
period of mourning, are likely to be displayed by November in a wooden frame
alongside a bronze plaque, mounted on a wall in the Sneddon’s Greenroom
Courtyard, in honour of Themi’s contribution to theatre in general and that
theatre in particular.
The Greenroom Courtyard, a patch of green backstage for
performers to relax during breaks, is not open to the public, so the stones and
pebbles will be seen only by those who work and perform at the Elizabeth
Sneddon Theatre.
The Greenroom is located along the same passage as the
dressing rooms in the basement of the theatre. It is essentially a relaxation
area for performers, with a small kitchen. It has a back door which leads out
into an enclosed courtyard looking onto the surrounding indigenous forest;
essentially at the centre-back of the theatre. The Greenroom Courtyard entrance
is often used as a backstage entrance for performers, instead of walking
through the foyer (especially large groups).
Themi died, aged 59, of pancreatic cancer on September 11,
2017, six months or so after initial diagnosis of the disease. He is survived
by his wife Trish and sons Matthew and Alexander, both twentysomethings.
Those attending the memorial service at the Playhouse Opera
theatre on September 26 last year were encouraged to take along a stone or
pebble.
“The idea of communally creating a stone structure or cairn
resonates across cultures, beliefs, faiths and folklore. The organisers invite
all guests and participants to bring along a single stone or pebble which will
be fashioned into a stone memorial to honour Themi at a place of personal
significance to him. Guests are welcome to write a message or tribute onto the
stone should they wish,” the invitation read.
An important, groundbreaking and widely respected member of
the South African arts community for some three decades, Themi was an
award-winning director, writer, performer, musician, producer and theatre
manager of multiple venues and theatre companies.
Themi directed, and in many cases produced, more than 500
productions ranging from revues to musical theatre, comedy, Shakespeare, opera;
new South African works and ceremonies/corporate events.
Virtually the entire downstairs auditorium of the large
Playhouse Opera theatre was filled with relatives, friends, colleagues and fans
of the popular, versatile and award-winning performer.
The most poignant part of the evening came with addresses by
Themi’s sons, the younger of whom, Alexander, broke down as he spoke lovingly
of his father, a man who was extremely proud of his two boys. – Billy Suter
For Billy Suter’s full
coverage of the memorial service last year click here: https://wp.me/p8dL0W-2b8
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