October 17, 2007
By Ndaba Dlamini
A FESTIVAL of community theatre is helping to establish cultural hubs in townships across Gauteng, allowing the arts to take over in non-traditional theatres.
The inaugural Alternative Spaces township theatre festival began at Alexandra's Thusong Youth Centre on Friday, 12 October. It runs until 17 November, and features community theatre groups performing in alternative spaces like churches, community halls and parks in townships around the province, according to the National Community Theatre for Education Network (Nacted) national deputy chairman, Mpho Molepo.
"The festival is the idea of the Gauteng provincial government, which aims to establish cultural hubs focused on cultural activities happening in the townships. To occupy these spaces Nacted will be showcasing work done by community theatre groups in all the regions of the Gauteng province for a whole month," he said.
The festival got off to a "perfect start" in Alexandra. Plays like Buhlebemvelo, written and directed by Mdu and Sihle Sibisi; It's a Dream, by a theatre group called Young Explorers; Dark City, by Thabo Mathiba; and Thursday's Child, a play by Ntsieng Mokgoro, were staged over the weekend, from Friday, 12 October to Sunday.
"All the shows went very well and recorded a full house. The audience were charged a minimal fee of between R10 and R20 to watch all shows being performed per day," Molepo said.
The next shows would take place in Tembisa, Mohlakeng, Sedibeng, Atteridgeville and end up in Soweto, where seven plays by up and coming playwrights and performers will be staged at Phefeni Recreation Centre, from Friday, 16 November to 18 November.
On Friday, Sins of a Man will open at 6.30pm; on the following day, Silent Pain, a play written, directed and choreographed by Patrick Mdlalose, will be performed at 1pm.
Silent Pain is about the abuse of women and children. It focuses on a particular woman who is abused by her boyfriend, falls pregnant and has a baby girl. The mother's dream is to see her child grow up, finish her studies and fulfil their dreams to live a better life. Unfortunately, society fails the mother again and her daughter is raped and murdered.
Sello Mphana & Sibusiso Kunene, two seasoned actors set to perform in the play Sins of a Man
Following that, at 2pm is Jozi Town at 3pm, Emsebenzini. Emsebenzini is directed by Allen Cebekhulu and performed by Thuli Masilela (Sylvia) and Nthabiseng Makoni (Hilda). The two women are black domestic workers working for coloured and black families. They compare the treatment they get from these families.
On Sunday, Netcare is performed at the same venue at 1pm. The play is about a doctor who has to decide whether to continue working as a doctor or to become a social worker looking after patients suffering from HIV/Aids. The play poses some poignant questions about the effect of the pandemic in the townships.
Creative Artworms then presents Car Wash at 2pm. It is about six men - Vuka, Sbonelo, Magesh, Sthembiso, Sticks and Bobs - who set up a car washing business to make a living. They all have their hopes and dreams but when Vuka gets arrested for house breaking their business hangs in the balance.
It is followed by KaNyamazane, the final performance at Phefeni Community Centre.
Xolile Gama and Vusumuzi Nyathikazi perform in a play KaNyamazane
The audience would be charged a minimal fee; they could also donate what they could afford, Molepo said.
"We hope to make the festival a permanent feature on the arts calendar featuring all art forms. If possible, we would love to see such community-based shows taking place every weekend in townships all year round."
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