Ubom!’s latest family theatre production, The Wangai, kicked off on Monday 14 April with an energy-filled show for pupils of Kuyasa Special Needs School and Fikizolo Primary School.
Ubom!’s latest family theatre production, The Wangai, kicked off on Monday 14 April with an energy-filled show for pupils of Kuyasa Special Needs School and Fikizolo Primary School.
The pupils were entertained from the moment they walked into the Rhodes University Drama Department, Box Theatre, with students singing and dancing as a prelude to the show.
The family show, directed by Andrew Buckland and Nox Donyeli, details the history, ecology and culture of the Eastern Cape, as well as looking at deforestation, land appropriation and our impact on the environment. Of course, everything is told through the medium of song and dance – and although the issues are serious, the way they're dealt with ensures a whole lot of laughter.
In The Wangai a cast of nine plays a variety of roles including strange animals, stern fathers, budding entrepreneurs and, of course, the Wangai. Complemented by a colourful set and brilliant use of lighting and costume design, performers put on a vibrant performance with animated singing and dancing. They often got pupils involved in the show, and ran up to the audience, making sure everyone stayed on their toes.
Kuyasa teacher Nonhle Matshoba said her pupils had thoroughly enjoyed the play. "I'm sure they will be singing the whole way back to school," she said. “They loved the singing and the dancing. We are always singing songs and teaching them different dances at school, so this was great for them to watch. It made their day.”
Co- director Andrew Buckland explained that although they had performed three shows for the pupils of St Mary’s Junior School last week, the first official performances are this week, with the first going well.
“The kids are in a different environment. I think they feel as if they have to tone down in front of their teachers, but despite that, they still seemed to enjoy the show,” he said. “I’m happy with the first performance, I think everyone performed well and it was carried out with no major mishaps.”
Running with the theme of the play, each pupil received a small booklet with puzzles and colouring-in pages, all dealing with environmental consciousness to leave them with The Wangai’s message: “It’s never too late to be The Wangai, the one guy who stands up for the trees.”
The Wangai runs until Thursday 17 April, with shows taking place at 9am and 11am in the Rhodes University Drama Department Box Theatre.
