The Baxter hosts bonanza Zabalaza festival
FOR ITS seventh edition, the Zabalaza Theatre Festival will host 56 different productions and 300 artists from across the country at the Baxter. The participants, chosen from minifestivals across the country, will display their artistry across a range of genres from tomorrow to March 25.
The Zabalaza Festival has, in the past, proven to be an invaluable stepping stone for young theatre talent and many young artists who first showcased their abilities on the Baxter stage have gone on to make an impact at a national level.
Thuso Sebape is the writer and director of the musical Sefila, performed in Xhosa and Sotho, by the Bee Hive Events and Projects company from Langa.
It follows the journey of a Sesotho man whose wife leaves because he refuses to embrace the changes brought about by a democratic South Africa.
There are two performances, on Sunday and March 24, at 2.30pm.
Jamal-Dean Grootboom spoke to Sebape: Coming from a smaller community, how does it feel like being part of the Zabalaza Theatre Festival? It means a lot for me to be part of such a wellknown festival like Zabalaza, which strives towards creating opportunities and platforms for us artists. What made you decide you go into theatre? I started practising theatre when I was in high school and I was inspired by the Music Active initiative that ran programmes in secondary schools, in order to perform musicals. What is the best part about being part of a theatre production? After weeks of rehearsing and working hard with the cast of a production, there is nothing more rewarding when, as a director, you feel that the the production is coming together and your vision is being realised. Are there any future productions you would like to take part in? Yes, but there are too many, so it is difficult to single out just one. What is your favourite play? It would have to be John Kani’s Nothing But the Truth. What do you think of the current theatre landscape? It certainly needs improvement. More could and should be done to create opportunities for theatre-makers. Who is your favourite international actor and why? Undoubtedly, it is Will Smith. He has the ability to make you believe in any character that he is portraying and he draws you towards that character emotionally. His performances are always honest and real. Who is your favourite local actor and why? There are a few, but I do like Bonnie Mbuli. She represents real characters and she can take her portrayal and present it in such a way that you would believe that she is someone who comes from your own community.. Do you think there are enough opportunities for South African actors? Again, more should be done to create opportunities. And then it also depends on whether these opportunities are for theatre, TV or for film.
KAMVA Obose is the director of Ixhoba, written by Olwethu Ntabankulu, for the Rainbow Arts Organisation in Delft. The story is about a teenage girl who faces her own personal challenges in life. Each of the other characters in the drama are also victims in their own way. Life on the streets reveal secrets of what goes on behind closed doors. Performed in isiXhosa, there is one performance on Sunday at 10am.
Tonight spoke to Obose: Coming from a smaller community what does it feel like to be part of the Zabalaza Theatre Festival? It feels awesome because there are few platforms like this in the industry and the Baxter Theatre Centre and Zabalaza teams have opened the door for us, making a great opportunities possible for so many artists. What made you decide you go into theatre? I want to teach and tell the stories that are affect us as youth and, for me, the best way of doing that is to teach through performance. What is the best thing about being part of a theatre production? It’s the performance, that engagement with a live audience – that feeling is special. Directing is also a wonderful thing to do, because you are able to bring a story to life. What do you like doing in your free time? I like to read books, especially novels and short stories. Are there any future productions you would like to take part in? Yes, they would be Woza Albert and Ityala Lamawele. What is your favourite play? My favourite play is Mies Julie, a Baxter production that has travelled so many different countries and cities, and stars Zabalaza Theatre Festival’s very own Bongile Mantsai and Zoleka Helesi. What do you think of the current theatre landscape? It’s growing and getting better but that is thanks to platforms such as Zabalaza. Who is your favourite international actor and why? I don’t have any. Who is your favourite local actor and why? Siyabonga Thwala – he can play so many different characters and, like a chameleon, he can change from one role to another. Do you think there are enough opportunities for South African actors? No, most certainly not.