The ASSITEJ Family Fare Platform returns to the National Arts Festival for a 4th consecutive year this year to promote rich and diverse theatre for young audiences and their families.
The ASSITEJ Family Fare Platform returns to the National Arts Festival for a 4th consecutive year this year to promote rich and diverse theatre for young audiences and their families.
It has now extended across the festival, with performances at Oatlands Prep, Memory Hall, Glennie and Centenary Halls.
2015 presents a rich diversity of 14 productions – entertaining, thought provoking and engaging – giving families the opportunity of “growing up and growing together through theatre”.
On the Main Programme, you'll find two international collaborations.
"Red Earth Revisited" by Speelteater Holland and ASSITEJ SA is a re-imagining of the events around the Xhosa prophetess Nongqawuse, seen through the eyes of a migrant stork, and will follow its appearance on the National Arts Festival Main Programme with a tour of the Eastern Cape.
"True Confusion" by ZeBu (Denmark), aimed at ages 8 to 13, is a physical interpretation of the situation where children find themselves paradoxically accepting their reality while bombarding it with hundreds of questions.
It is playful, challenging and interactive. This dance production has toured extensively internationally and is now on South African soil for the first time.
An exciting local productio also provides dance for young audiences.
"Once upon a Fire" by Briony Horwitz, co-directed by Nkosinathi Gaar and choreographed by David Matamela (South African “So You Think You Can Dance” Judge), is aimed at audiences aged 5 – 11.
It revives the ancient art of story-telling, celebrated in dance and punctuated by enchanting shadow puppetry.
There are also a number of performances which address issues like social injustice, crimes against humanity, disability and inclusivity in exciting and challenging ways, providing the opportunity for starting conversations with young people around important issues.
"The Orphan of Gaza" by Eliot Moleba performed by Nidaa Hussein and Megan van Wyk, tells the story of a young girl in Gaza.
After a rocket attack, she is told that her parents have gone to a better place.
Armed with a makeshift aircraft, helmet, GPS and a cockpit full of courage, she and her pet, plot a journey to search for them.
"Warrior on Wheels" presented by the Chaeli Campaign and directed by Jayne Batzofin, aims to engage and enliven the imagination and encourage a more accepting society, especially for those with disabilities.
This production was specifically created for children aged 7 – 15.
"Mirrored Flaws" by Thando Baliso, tells the story of three teenagers embroiled in social ills.
This production aimed at teenagers is told through movement, spoken word and dance.
"The Rise and Fall’ presented by Sisonke Art Productions, directed by Herbert Mokoena tells the story of Sara who, at age 13, is kidnapped by Ugandan rebels and forced to become a soldier in the Lord's Resistance Army.
Four years later, with General on the run, Sarah attempts to returning to her childhood village, nervous about the reception she will receive after her role in terrorizing her own people’.
There's also clowning in "Double the Fun".
Veteran Durban clown Adi Paxton returns with a production made up of magic, clowning and puppetry for ages 3 and up.
In visual theatre there's "Making Mandela", by Nick Warren and Jenine Collocott, directed by Jenine Collocott.
Its an imaginative journey through the childhood of Nelson Mandela featuring colourful characters, vividly portrayed in beautiful masks, with physical performances supported by emotive sound design and theatrical styling.
This is the story of what influenced the rural boy to become the global legend.
There's also "Florence and Watson" written and directed by husband and wife Rob van Vuuren and Dani Bischoff.
Says Rob, "We wanted to put together a show that our own daughter would love.
So we've created a magical mountain full of fairies, dragons, giants and talking animals and found the best most versatile actors and musicians we could with Fleur du Cap Award Winner Dean Balie (Kat and the Kings, Blood Brothers, Orpheus in Africa) and Fleur Du Cap and Standard Bank Ovation Award Winner Sne Dladla (Fergus of Galloway, Betty and the Yeti, Orpheus in Africa) to infuse it with great comedy, awesome music and beautiful performances".
"Lake" directed by Daniel Buckland, performed by Ryan Dittman and Jaques de Silva addresses friendship and societal issues around water conservation through warm, funny physical theatre, clowning and puppetry.
"The Incredible Journey" directed by Tara Notcutt performed by Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Stefan Erasmus and Luke Brown.
"Once upon a time, a boy named Tommy who lived an unadventurous life was presented by a challenge from the new kid at school – join us on an adventure of the imagination and magic: Come see Tommy’s journey to becoming a hero."
There's music, too. The Keiskamma Academy presents “Indalo” directed by Mojalefa Mokanya, which is performed by a 22 piece orchestra band and 10 storytellers.
The story is set in the Eastern Cape unpacking the deep and magical relationship between animals and the amaXhosa, and weaves together different strands of artistic expression: music, storytelling, physical performance and visual art.
For more information visit www.assitej.org.za or visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za for bookings.
