In a local first, the Coronavirus has inspired a new season of socially distanced theatre. Five new performance works have been created in response to lockdown and Covid-19 restrictions, thanks to an initiative by Theatre Arts.
Renowned as an inclusive, accessible platform for artists to develop new work, lockdown was no exception, and Theatre Arts once again championed an innovative campaign with the Creating Theatre in the Age of Corona series. A call was made for artists to propose physically distanced performances. Five have been selected for presentation and the programme features a captivating range of dance, movement, theatre and installation.
This socially distanced theatre programme has been made possible by Gordon Hirschowitz.
- 10 October with Craig Leo and Robin Kirsten’s NOTHING IS HERE featuring Unmute Dance Company and Ukwanda Puppets and Design Art Collective.
- 14 to 18 October, RaféGreenpresents MODORENAI.
- This is followed with CWAKA from 22 October, directed by Qondiswa James and developed in collaboration with a stellar creative team.
- Shirley-Anne Bezuidenhout presents SYNDESI from 11 to 14 November.
- Megan Furniss and Louise Westerhout rounding off the series with MURMURATIONS from 2 to 5 December.
“This season is not about lockdown and Covid but a response to the challenges and restrictions artists face in presenting theatre at this time,” says Caroline Calburn Director of Theatre Arts.
“This is live performance that takes at its heart the idea that artists and audience need to remain physically distanced,at least two metres apart, and how we can meet and still be social just not physically close to each other. This project rebels against the notion that theatre needs to take to the screen in order to survive during this time. Never have we been asked to rethink the concept of theatre and experiment more.
“With only fifteen seats available at each performance to keep within the confines of social distancing, we have found that audiences are experiencing theatre at a different level – intimate, exclusive, almost with a new purity of engagement. It also means seating is strictly limited so booking early is advisable.”
NOTHING IS HERE
Saturday 10 to Sunday 11 October (16h00 & 19h00 on 10 Oct; 15h00 & 18h00 on 11 Oct) – see photo
An experimental piece that takes nothing as it’s subject matter, performed in and around an architectural sculpture comprised of multiple doors by Robin Kirsten, titled Study for a Museum of Opening Doors.
Conceived and created by Craig Leo and Robin Kirsten, NOTHING IS HERE is developed in collaboration with Unmute Dance Company and includes Ukwanda Puppets and Design Art Collective. It is choreographed by Themba Mbuli and performed by Siphenathi Mayekiso and Andile Vellem.
MODORENAI
Wednesday 14 to Sunday 18 October (19h00)
MODORENAI, a Japanese word that translates as ‘we cannot return’, explores different states of mind around touch and finding ways to come to terms with the enforced distance placed between people. This movement piece looks at how touch becomes more than a physical gesture, and transforms into emotional, psychological, spiritual connections with others.MODORENAIis conceived, choreographed and directed by RaféGreen, and performed and co-created with Darion Adams and Crystal Finck.
CWAKA
Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 October (22,23,24 Oct 19h30; 25 Oct 15h00)
Two sisters, twins in their late 20s, have grown up estranged from each other. When their birthmother goes missing, they begin to share dreams and must rescue their mother from a fear demon in the ancestral realm together. CWAKA isconceived and directed by Qondiswa James and co-written by the artistic team. It features Tankiso Mamabolo and Namisa Mdlalose with sound design by Gugulethu Dumaand music performed by Sibahle Sky Dladla. Set design and lighting is by Themba Stewart.
SYNDESI
Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 November (8pm)
SYNDESI is a dance work thatexplores the idea of relationship through space and the different ways of maintaining connection and cohesion despite physical separation. It is conceived, created, choreographed and directed by Shirley-Anne Bezuidenhout and performed by Celeste Botha, Sasha Fourie Myburgh and Tamsyn Spannenberg.
MURMURATIONS
Wednesday 2 to Saturday 5 December (8pm)
Conceived, created and facilitated by theatremaker, director and storyteller Megan Furniss and performance artist, poet and curator, Louise Westerhout MURMURATIONSexploresunanswerable questions. Must we grant you permission? Are we oroborus; eating our own tails? Are we lying? Is this beautiful? Is it the healing or the offering?
TICKETS: all performances cost R100 and can be purchased HERE
Bookings must be made online in keeping with Covid-19 protocols and no cash sales are available at the door. For booking queries contact 082 752 1376.
Doors open fifteen minutes before the start of the performances. No latecomers can be admitted.
Covid-19 protocols are observed including social distancing, temperature checks, taking of contact details and audience members must wear masks.
WHERE: Theatre Arts, Methodist Church Hall, corner of Milton Road and Wesley Street, Observatory, Cape Town 7925. Parking is available in the area.
PHOTO: Craig Leo and Robin Kirsten, NOTHING IS HERE – Jesse Kramer (c)
