By Ovayo Milisa Novukela Multiple stalls house the paintings and drawings made by Department of Correctional Services (DCS) inmates at this year’s National Arts Festival (NAF). The work is on display and available for purchase at the Village Green for the duration of the Festival. DCS National Commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, is thrilled with the arts and craft initiative. “This initiative is created and designed for inmates that are inside and are on parole, with the aim of teaching them fundamental skills to start a business and create an income and also to prepare them to be integrated to their…
Author: Cue 2023
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By Ruvesen Naidoo As the curtains are drawn on this year’s National Arts Festival, it is only fitting to shine a spotlight on the remarkable production companies that have delivered an array of unforgettable shows, leaving festival-goers enthralled with their creative brilliance. Amidst a diverse tapestry of themes explored by various shows, these exceptional production companies managed to curate a captivating array of performances that catered to a wide spectrum of audiences, ensuring relevance and resonance for all. Spark in the dark The company showcased three shows including Dog Rose, Ile, and Play Things, and Raunchy Renditions which starred or…
By Keren Banza Art serves as a mirror to society. It is a powerful medium for artists to express themselves while reflecting on society’s values, struggles, and triumphs. The National Arts Festival (NAF) is a space that captures the essence of societal inclinations and issues. As we approach 30 years of democracy, our healing as a nation is still ongoing. Art illuminates the dimensions we must expose to heal. Productions such as Droomwerk invite introspection to the legacy of our ancestry and the shadows it casts on the present. Lady Skollie’s exhibition, Groot Gat, delves into the complexities of cultural…
By Ruvesen Naidoo In the world of live performance, there are times when fate gleefully plays tricks on even the most prepared reviewers. Little did I know that the frustration that I experienced at a cancellation on Monday was merely the curtain-raiser for a series of comically unfortunate events, as three more shows followed suit throughout the week. Just to be clear – I am not romanticising the cancellation of shows, just unveiling the truth behind the enigma of cancelled shows, particularly when deadlines loom and the duty of a reviewer beckons. Monday’s Misfortune With an air of excitement, I…
By Bukamuso Sebata The Theatre of Beauty: Imvuselelo exhibition delves into the intricate relationship between plant medicine, history, memory, and storytelling. The ground-breaking project investigates the profound impact psychedelic and indigenous medicine practices have on healing individuals, communities, and generational traumas. Through a captivating installation featuring film, performance, found footage, and sound, the exhibition offers a thought-provoking exploration of the transformative power plants have over reconfiguring identities and healing practices. At the heart of the Theatre of Beauty: Imvuselelo lies the vision of Koleka Putuma, a renowned theatre practitioner, writer, and poet. Putuma’s work explores a wide range of thought-provoking…
By Jenna Kretzmann and Fahdia Msaka The sun sets over Makhanda’s (small) skyline. Festival-goers prepare for a night of live theatre, jazz, dance, art, and a final stop at The Long Table for a nightcap. But, before the town’s (few) shining lights turn on, the Monument welcomes the close of the day with a rise of voices. Over the past 11 days of Festival magic, the Fountain Foyer of the Monument plays host to the SAFM Sundowner Concert between 17:00 and 18:00. Here, Festinos catch the best of the Festival Fringe, free-of-charge. Artists perform short excerpts from their performances, ranging…
By Malikhanye Mankayi Many expectations are placed on a young African bride, especially by her inlaws. Customs and traditions dictate that she take care of the household and bare children. And before she can live with her husband, she has to live with her in-laws for a certain period of time. Bonolo begins by transporting audiences to the ritualistic marriage preparations. The scene displays the Venda cultural process of ‘taking a bride’ during the bridal price negotiations. By highlighting the expectations placed on a wife by her mother-in-law, the play delves into the relationship between Bonolo and her fiance’s mother.…
By Benny Mojela “To the brotherhood” chant the members of the Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars, as they put their right hands on their hearts as to solemnly swear commitment to their comrades. Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars is a superb production written by Jefferson Tshabalala and presented by 2023 Standard Bank Young Artists for Theatre, Billy Langa and Mahlatsi Mokgonya, aka the Theatre Duo. The play takes us behind the curtains of South African politics. It illustrates how politicians, businessmen, and law enforcement work together to steal tender funds in order to live as fat cats. It uses melodic spoken word which clearly…
By Arno Cornelissen It’s late, and cold out, but Sophie Joans manages to make us all a little bit warmer with her colourful solo performance. Île, written and performed by Joans and directed by Rob van Vuuren, is riddled with metaphors about love and passion, hate and fury, shame and pride (among other things). Set in the island of Mauritius, It’s a quest for identity in a tumultuous world. The power of the performance is in its simplicity. Colour is tactfully used in Île, adding to Sophie’s complex emotions and the audience’s experience. The sound is crucial, too – carrying…
NguMalikhanye Mnkayi Amaqhawe omzabalazo, aqinisekisa ukuba siyayifumana inkululeko. Nangona kunjalo, isizukulwana sabo siyayithandabuza ingcamango yenkululeko. Umdlalo weqonga, Emsini, ugxile ekutshintsheni kwengqondo phakathi kwamaqhawe, exesha likaMandela, kunye nolutsha lwesizukulwana esilandelayo, abo bakhule phakathi kobundlobongela belizwe kodwa bashiyeka bedakumbile emva kokuba umzabalazo uphumelele. Amaphupha obomi obungcono ahlala engazalisekanga. UMoagi Modise, ongumbhali walo mdlalo weqonga, uchane uchwethe ukunxulumanisa umxholo kunye nesihloko sawo. Mandiphume egusheni ndichaze intsingiselo yesihloko salo mdlalo, Emsini. Umbhali uveza umxholo omalunga nexesha lengcinezelo, ngoko esi sihloko sisuka apho, ngelixa kulahlwa iteargas kwaye nomsi owawubakho xa kubulalwa iimpimpi. Iqonga belenziwe layindlwana enengumbi elinye, nto leyo ikhokhele ekubeni ababukeli balomdlalo weqonga bazotyelwe…