An adventure to the theatre after a year in lockdown
AFTER more than a year since the lockdown was imposed in South Africa, theatre lovers are slowly making their way back to the theatre.
After all, we are starved for live performances. I’m certainly not taking away from the amazing virtual route that the theatre industry has embarked on since the Covid-19 pandemic, but nothing beats seeing thespians physically tread the boards.
There’s something unique about watching a live performance. More than anything the audience feels special because they become part of the story.
About a month ago, I went to the theatre for the first time in a very long time and boy I loved the experience. Well, minus the social anxiety I had as I drove to downtown Jozi with a friend.
I have not been attending any social events since March last year, and of course, 2020 felt like three years in one, so my anxiety was understandable.
I went to watch a contemporary theatre production titled Pass Over at The Market Theatre. Directed by James Ngcobo, the show featured Muvhango star Khathu Ramabulana and former Scandal! actor Hungani Ndlovu alongside Scandal! actor Charlie Bouguenon.
And it’s true what they say, that things may never get back to what they were before the pandemic.
First, if you are familiar with The Market Theatre you would know that hours before the play starts, patrons would be hanging around surrounding eateries such as Outie or Niki’s Oasis Jazz Restaurant, but that Tuesday evening it was quiet.
I found that very strange. I have since learnt that Outie shut long before the lockdown. How sad.
There’s a bar inside The Market Theatre and it’s always buzzing with patrons having drinks before the show, but the bar was also quiet. Hmm. The eerie feeling was rather bizarre and left me feeling uncomfortable.
Half an hour later, about 40 of
us entered the John Kani Theatre for one of the most refreshing and stellar performances I have seen in years, if not the best ever. It was a reminder of how talented our performers in South Africa are.
The experience, wonderful as it was, was rather odd – it felt strange to sit and watch the play with our masks on, physically distanced from fellow patrons. The staff made sure that all
the Covid-19 rules and were adhered to.
The whole thing, though, made me realise that there’s a need for more people to support local artists by attending live performances again, to avoid the demise of the already crippled theatre industry.
“People need to come back to the theatre because without their support, the theatre industry will die a painful regulations
death,” said artistic director and musician Marcus Desando in a recent interview with IOL Entertainment.
First came the permanent closure of the historic Fugard Theatre in Cape Town, then the recent announcement that one of Joburg’s independents, Theatre on the Square, is on the verge of closing down, both due to a lack of financial support.
This is a sign that we need to return to our local theatres and give our much-needed support to our amazing actors, producers, directors, lighting designers, stage managers, costume designers and every other person who makes theatre possible.
As eerie as it was going back to the theatre after a year, I am willing to go as often as possible. Few things are as thrilling as seeing performers on stage.