Memories and Empty Spaces

When you hear a story of young rural girl moves to the City and 'forgets' where she comes from, you're thinking typical, right? But not quite. Championed by Champions of the Environment, Memories and Empty Spaces reminds audiences that the story is in the intent in which it is told. Because more often than not, we are different people, going through similar things all in pursuit of belonging.

The story is centred around the character of a young womxn - Pulane (she who makes it rain, literally!) - whom like anyone of us is confronted with an identity crisis. Being raised to conform and follow what is believed and known to be true, only to go out and meet other worlds that threaten who you are and what you've known your entire life...it's a crisis. What now? Do you discard that which has brought you this far? Do you embrace this new you and see what truth it holds? Or do you perhaps put the two worlds together and see if they will work amidst negative connotations wrapped in cultural proverbs such as O ka se hlankele marena a mabedi? As writer and director Ntshieng Mokgoro puts it, the play doesn't give out solutions...we're saying here are the issues...and people will take them home and find answers for themselves.

Teresa Phuti Mojela and Ntsika Ngxanga complete this theatrical threesome with their choreography and composition, respectively, to become a collective of amazing storytellers, as Ntsika puts it. The magic that they worked to get the actors to give us such stellar performances is notable. There is a synergy between the movements and words that were fed to the audience. Music keeps people engaged, movement keeps them awake. There was never a dull moment in this play and it kept reminding us that our stories matter because as Rupi Kaur puts it, you must never trade honesty for relatability.

The show had a run at the Olive Tree Theatre in Wynberg (just on the doorstep of Alex) from August 25th until September 10th. Yes, you missed out! Check out their Facebook page for more on upcoming shows.

[Photos courtesy of the Expresso morning show interview]

#LovePeaceAndTheatre

Comments

THE CRY OF WINNIE MANDELA: DEPARTURES. WAITINGS. RETURNS.

SHOW: The Cry of Winnie Mandela WHERE: The Market Theatre Laboratory WHEN: 04 May 2024 DIRECTOR: Momo Matsunyane August was Women's Month in South Africa, where we commerate the brave Womxn of 1956 on the 9th who were tired of waiting. Over the years, I have come to use the day to reflect on my own personal experiences and draw inspiration from the Womxn in my life. Ibandla lam'. 'The Cry of Winnie Mandela' adapted for stage by Alex Burger, spoiled us with songs and amongst them was this timeless hymn: "Bohang seema, ha ba hlaha ka kgoro Jerusalema e mocha..." Those that are familiar with groups of Womxn will tell you that in their meetings, conversations can easily move from marital and relationship bliss - or bleak as is the case with the Womxn in this play - through the latest news, down to song and wailing prayers. Different emotions were invoked with each song as 'Ibandla la Bafazi Abalindileyo' took us through their jou...

FINDING ME, VIOLA DAVIS

"My entire life had been struggle and survival. I'd been on my own since age seventeen. The fact that it was hard, shitty, was nothing new, but the biggest struggle was keeping hope and belief in myself. Then, finding an art community for support while fighting my ass off to stay alive." - Viola Davis in her book, 'Finding Me' My biggest beef with poverty is that it sets one a million steps back. Poverty and lack will have you questioning your worth even when you receive what you have tirelessly worked your ass off for. Your voice is in constant fear-mode on subjects you're well-versed on. Your confidence is almost non-existent in rooms you deem above you. Saying 'no' is not part of your vocabulary because you always consider others before you. Yet, you are capable and deserving. More than deserving. Because who, if not you? Getting out of this pit is one of the most difficult things one has to go through. Unfortunately, a majority of Bla...

NWELEZELANGA: THE STAR CHILD, Unathi Magubeni

I am a firm believer in that, what you seek, is seeking you. It’s been six years since ‘Nwelezelanga: The Star Child’ came out and in as much as I would have loved to have read it then, it wasn’t the right time. I didn’t know as much as I do now, and the answers to the questions I’m asking now, I wouldn’t have comprehended then. I wasn’t ready to receive all this light. "The wise ones usually say that there is knowing in the knowing that one doesn't know." Our protagonist – Nwelezelanga – is an albino child borne to Nokwakha, whom unfortunately, doesn’t get to raise this child that she wept for because her midwife is under the rule of an evil reign led by Lord Bubi. The midwife convinces Nokwakha that this child is a bad omen so she should be killed. After much persuasion, the exhausted and baffled mother gives up the only thing that she hoped would bring meaning to her life. And so the journey of being born again begins. The end becomes the beginning. ...

The Read Aunt Mzansi

Search This Blog