(“Angola:
Camp 13”. Copyright Sanmari Marais)
The dance production Amawethu- along with Artdiction
exhibition and the performance art piece Xova
- joins musicals Qina and Angola: Camp 13 on the list of works
that will be presented by the South African State Theatre at this year’s
National Arts Festival in Makhanda.
All productions, except Amawethu, were promoted from the
theatre’s Incubator programme- which is a development programme aimed at
preparing semi-professional artists for the mainstream industry. The State
Theatre prides itself in opening doors of theatre to young people to showcase
their talent and tell stories. It remains committed in its project of
unleashing young cadres of artists to carry the baton into the future.
Featured in the Main Programme,
award-winning musical Angola: Camp 13
written and directed by Sello Maseko celebrates names of struggle veterans that
never made it to historical books. This is a story of our people who did not
return from the camps. It exposes corruption, greed, betrayal, and sacrifices
that took place in the camps. The musical won awards for Best Script, Best Male
Performer (Soyiso Ndaba) and Best Stage Manager (late Sibusiso Khwinana) at the
Incubator Trade Fair held at The Market Theatre last year. Angola will show at
Rhodes Theatre, July 1-3 in Makhanda, before returning to The State Theatre on July
10 to August 4, 2019.
The self-taught smoke artist Anathi
Nkanyuza, affectionately known as Elpee, burst the newsfeed with his rare
visual art technique when he exhibited at the theatre last year. Using only a
candle and paraffin lamp, he applies fire and smoke on paper to turn pieces of
colour into something the world has never seen before. His installations
feature a series of self-portraits which depict his love for art on how it
impacts his life negatively and positively. His exhibition, Artdiction showcases July 1-7 at The
Norman Catherine Room in Makhanda.
Xova, written and directed by Joseph Komani, will star actresses
Zimkhita Kumabaca and Zimkhita Nyoka who both lead the cast that will be
performing at the NAF from July 2 to 6 in Victoria Theatre. Xova’s festival participation precedes a
season run at The State Theatre in August. Xova
- “Ukuxova,” a Xhosa word which means to prepare the dough - is a metaphor
for the process of raising a child. The endured hardships of solo parenthood
and father absenteeism are brought to stage for examination.
(Right: “Qina”.
Copyright Sanmari Marais)
Having completed its three weeks run at The
State theatre on Sunday, Qina (Zulu/
Xhosa word meaning ‘be strong’) is geared to showcase in Makhanda, Victoria
Theatre, from July 2 to 6. The musical by Given Wiseman Chauke is based on the
depression suffered by the youth in our society today. Backed by afro sounds
and thrilling choreography, it delves into stories of young people living in
big cities trying to pursue their dreams but struggle to fit in or keep up with
the uptown life.
Amawethu tells a human story that seeks to rectify or, rather, to reclaim
who we are as a people from our culture and customs – and to correct the
distortions that pre-date the African slave trade that led us to believe that
African spirituality had a demonic, pagan, uncivilized, barbaric and godless
origin. Conceived, choreographed and directed by Luyanda Sidiya, assisted by
Phumlani Nyanga, the piece aims to create a system for the black child to
appreciate and learn more about who they are. As a revival of sorts, Amawethu seeks to enact the wealth of
character long lost in our customs and way of life. Amawethu is at the Great Hall, July 5-7. Back at State Theatre, it
will show from July 17 to 28.
(To
link direct to the NAF site click on the large banner that runs across the top
of this blog or visit https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za or visit Facebook:
www.facebook.com/nationalartsfestival; Twitter: @artsfestival or Instagram:
nationalartsfestival)
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