ArtSpoken & Reviews
Quack!Fiona Gordon11/13/2009 17:35:04 
Fiona Gordon: From the Hip:Khulumakahle is a young and vibrant theatre company that is pushing the boundaries of theatrical exploration. They aim to revolutionise the South African theatre industry through the development of deaf and hearing performer-creators. And they seem to be making a success of it from both a creative, and developmental perspective. This theatrical sensation seamlessly integrates hearing and non-hearing performers - despite trying to discern, I actually couldn't tell who could hear and who couldn't. FTH:K has drawn together a phenomenal team of collaborators, and this is obvious in the quality of this production, which juxtaposes innocence and the manifestation of evil intent, in an anxiety-ridden esoteric theatrical experience. Quirky, and interesting, the detail in the design is incredible, but the story itself is pretty obscure. I find myself making all sorts of visceral connections to tales of my youth - Coppélia, Rapunzel, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde... A man lies dying in hospital (cue scrubs and heart-shaped flashing, beating red light), and in his delirium escapes to the parallel universe in which we spend the duration of the play. It is dark, both literally and otherwise, with a dreamlike soundscape adding to the intensity as we are taken into a sinister world of falsehood and questionable motives. This is ‘Quack!' meaning ‘impostor' - a concept emphasized by the fact that the cast wears masks throughout. Janni Younge - recently announced winner of the 2010 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre - is the artistic force behind their creation, and it is obvious why she is being recognized for her contributions. The fake faces, while being obviously so, almost take on personalities of their own, appearing sometimes even to change expression. Without the luxury of facial or verbal expression, these performers are articulate in the use of the nuance of their bodies. It really is poetry in motion. Directed by Rob Murray, with masks by Janni Younge, sound design by James Webb and Brydon Bolton, set and props by Jesse Kramer, costumes by Leila Anderson, and cast consisting of Liezl de Kock, Lysander Barends, Emilie Starke, Taryn Bennett, Marlon Snyders, Jori Snell, Tomri Steyn and Christopher Beukes QUACK! will be performed at the Intimate Theatre on Hiddingh Campus in Cape Town from 10-21 November 2009, Tuesdays - Saturdays at 20h15 (except Mingles Night on Friday 13 which starts at 18h30), with a matinee on Saturday 14 at 14h00. Tickets cost R50. Concessions (students, pensioners, Deaf and disabled) are R40; for Members R35 and block bookings of 10 or more R35. Tuesdays are "Twos-days" - pay R50 for 1 ticket and get two! *Singles have the chance to make Friday the 13th their lucky night! FTH:K have put together a fun evening of drinks, snacks, mingling and theatre followed by the opportunity to do some speed dating. Tickets for Mingles Night cost R70. For all bookings contact FTH:K on 021 448 2838 or clowns@fthk.co.za. Fiona Gordon fiona@artslink.co.za Web site: http://www.fthk.co.za
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