By Fahdia Msaka Water, fire, earth, and air. It is said that when we die, these four elements dissolve one by one. Each into the other and finally, into space. Thus, our existence as a human race is deeply rooted in the presence of these elements. Dancers are commonly referred to as ‘the athletes of art’ due to their articulate, and intentional movements. Whereas the four elements are seen as out of control – larger than life. So, when the members of Prestige School of Dance attempt to produce a visual interpretation of nature in Don’t Dismiss The Elements, it…
Author: Cue 2023
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By Ruvesen Naidoo Whether you’re guilty of being someone that can’t keep in a laugh or two out at a funeral, a person who fusses over American’s narrow impressions of South Africa, or you’re just someone who finds the navigation of contemporary relationships a daunting experience, then the offerings in Spark in the Dark’s Play Things are for you. As the audience took their seats in the Graham Hotel, many were curious about the context and contents of the show. On the programme sits the name of Sophie Joans as curator of the night. Joans has quickly become known for…
By Fahdia Msaka Modern romance films have made us believe in happily ever afters. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from seeing a couple overcome adversity and end up together. In May I Have This Dance, a young couple (Nkosinathi Mazwai and Amber Morgan) try their very best to get their own happily ever after. The performance is a blend of contemporary dance and theatre which portrays a steamy modern love story following the relationship of a millennial couple who quickly become infatuated with one another. The play explores the complexities of romantic relationships, especially the impact of childhood…
By Benny Mojela “I’m not making fun of you, I’m having fun with you,” says Chris Mapane to his audience. The comedian’s most recent offering, What a Time, is as engaging as it is entertaining. In What a Time, Mapane spends his time talking to everyone in the audience, getting to know who they are and where they’re from. The initially uncomfortable laughter of the audience turns into chortles and chuckles once they realise everyone’s turn is coming. Over time, it becomes clear that Mapane’s conversational tactic is both a way of engaging meaningfully with those in the crowd, and…
By David Mann You may have glimpsed a few of them already stalking Makhanda’s bars and coffee-houses or carting their equipment around town. The musicians are here, and The National Jazz Festival is officially upon us. The Jazz programme is a crucial component of the National Arts Festival. Expertly curated, it features some of the top musicians from across the country, many of whom treat the Festival as an opportunity for free-spirited collaboration, jumping on each other’s shows and hosting impromptu jam sessions all over town. If you’re not sure where to begin, may the below selection of highlights serve…
By Thapelo Matlala In Stand Up or Stand Out, award-winning comedian Nkosinathi Maki details his recent move from the Eastern Cape to an affluent suburb in Cape Town with his four-year-old son, Thano. On this journey, he meets some quirky and colourful characters who both help and hinder him in his journey of self-discovery. Cue caught up with Maki to find out more about his show at the Festival, his dreams and inspirations, and his insights into the South African comedy scene. Where did you grow up? I was born and bred in Cape Town originally then I was sent…
By Keren Banza I recently watched Roots, a performance piece about motherhood that blends photography and how movement can embody storytelling. I was drawn to exploring how we craft narratives in our art. Experiencing the Roots workshop shifted my perspective on storytelling. Leila Anderson and Wanjiku Mwawuganga facilitated the workshop. They guided us through a creative process using multiple forms of expression. Each step is designed to steer us down a new path of storytelling. During the workshop process, we did two free writing sessions about the oldest and most recent photos on our phones. The beauty of free writing…
By Anga-Anganda Bushwana Women should have the freedom to express themselves freely. Women should take up space. In Trash Mouth, Standard Bank Ovation Award-winning comedian Kate Pinchuck presents a witty and unashamedly risque stand-up comedy set at the Graham Hotel. Drawing on her stories from her own life, her relationships, sex, and all of the innermost things one typically wouldn’t voice aloud, Pinchuck puts together a hilarious hour-long set. Her humour is honest, unabashed, sharp, and engaging. “Hi, I’m Kate, and I haven’t had a shower in two days. It’s day two now, and I’m curious how my husband will…
By Arno Cornelissen Hip-Hop uplifts those who create and listen to it. It can bring people from different backgrounds together. “Everyone has their unique way of being,” says Tolo Likakheswa, the lyricist and MC for the night at The Black Power Station. Tolo is accompanied by Subs (on the beats), “designing the soundscape.” Return of the Cypher is a performance of FALKAB. Standing for fits, art, lyrics, knowledge, and beats, it “isn’t one person; it is a collective. It contains all the elements that I am physically involved with,” says Tolo during our post-performance interview. “I do graffiti, I rap.…
By Arno Cornelissen Cara Roberts walks onto the stage. Right before my eyes, my deepest fears come to life; children. However, at the end of the 50-minute performance, I realise The King of Broken Things was something I needed in my life. With time, I realise that a kid is just that, a kid. As the show unfolds, we begin to understand why the boy is the way he is and why he clings so feverishly to believing in his imagination. It should come as no shock that this production is a recent winner of three International Awards at the…