ArtSpoken & Reviews
Theatre that changes lives not for recognitionThami aka Mbongo11/06/2009 09:13:04 
Thami aka Mbongo: Not all artists are working to get great reviews and standing ovations. There are many theatre companies and people who are doing great work out there in caring for the unforgotten artists in the circle of theatre; while other people and companies work for the Fleur de Cap Theatre Awards or Naledi Theatre Awards recognitions. The funders should feel proud of funding the companies that make sure that the people at the grassroots level do benefit from their funds. Though I can't mention all the great companies, the following companies I need to mention and I salute them for the great work they do. Magnet Theatre Magnet Theatre runs a full-time physical theatre training programme offering classes in movement, play, imagination, physical theatre, voice, dance, singing, improvisation and play making. The participants are encouraged to maintain their connection with their communities and with their respective drama groups. The living proof of the success of their programme was seen in the well received play - Ingcwaba lendoda lise caleni kwendlela directed by Mandla Mbothwe. The play, which was all in IsiXhosa, made the most of the black actors. I know that they, including myself, feel they miss out on acting in their own mother tongue. Because of the success of the Magnet Theatre programme last year, young people came in big numbers to audition to be part of the programme next year, which shows that most young people are hungry and willing to learn. I salute the Magnet Theatre for always remembering those unforgotten artists especially when there are few theatre institutions that will cater for them. FTH: K (From the hip * Khulumakahle) The extraordinary work that Tanya Surtees and Rob Murray have done with their lovely company - they have decided that they needed to cater for the people that are forgotten in a way in our theatre circle. The company focus is to offer access to theatre training for the Deaf community and to prepare Deaf and hearing performers for entrance into the professional theatre industry. It is high time that our theatre makers and theatres at large do think about offering work to the Deaf community artists. The success of the company productions and the efficient way they run their company is outstanding and should be applauded. The company have won Arts and Culture Trust's Award for Cultural Development Project of 2005 among others. I wish the company's goal does come true as they wish to open South Africa's first Deaf and hearing Integrated Theatre Training Centre in Cape Town. I salute the FTH: K and would like to say we as young aspiring theatremakers who have dreams of opening their own theatre companies one day - we do learn a lot from your company. Keep up with the great work. Ikhwezi Community Theatre Festival It is really sad to read with an 11-year history, the festival is now on the brink of struggling to survive as one of South Africa's crucial theatre development platforms. Despite its phenomenal success, its future is now under threat owing to lack of funding. As a product of the festival, it is really sad that the only golden opportunity for young black people in the Western Cape especially to showcase their talents is in this situation because of the funding. Most of the actors who go and study in this recognized theatre institution come through this festival and most of the Western Cape artists express their creativity in this festival. People are asking, where are the black theatre makers in the Western Cape, but the same people who ask those questions are not showing their support and talking about the great things like the achievements of this particular festival. With the closure of many theatre institutions in Cape Town due to the lack of funding, many people are going to suffer. Something needs to be done to save such a great festival and programmes that add value to the lives of people, especially black people in the Western Cape. The festival has won the 2004 Cultural Development Project of the Year at the Arts and Culture Trust Awards. I salute Itumeleng wa-Lehulere for keeping the flame burning for the upliftment of the raw talents in the Western Cape. And I hope that the festival will keep going stronger. Theatre Arts Admin Collective (Taac) As they would say three companies are better than one. Theatre Arts Admin Collective (TAAC) is an umbrella organisation for three theatre companies: The Bonfire Theatre Company, Project Phakama and Masambe. These three companies share an office/rehearsal space, combining their forces to operate more efficiently. The TAAC hosts a series of performance seasons and workshops for theatre practitioners, community-based theatre groups and the general public. They are also planning on hosting evenings of Conversations (Theatre is on the Menu) - both informal and formal, so that people involved in theatre can keep the conversation going and talk about the things that are important to us. I hope great things will happen in the space. Cape Town does need such platform as there are lots of things to unpack in our theatre. Most of the artists can't all present their work at Baxter Theatre Centre's Playground or Artscape Theatre's New Writing Programme. So, this space will be great for the forgotten artists in our theatres. I salute the company members for paying monthly costs out of their pockets to run the venue while they were/are still waiting for the funding. And it teaches people that anything is possible as long as you put faith in it. Keep it up. I wish I could count more companies... but to all the great companies that always remember to do theatre to change the lives of other people. I SALUTE YOU and the funders should feel proud for funding your projects. All I can say - Aluta Continua (The struggle continue) Thami aka Mbongo Performing Artist akambongo@gmail.com 074 861 4260 |
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