Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Zabalaza festival is spreading its wings
Inthe
THE BAXTER’S Zabalaza festival runs from March 12-19 in the theatre, concert hall, Golden Arrow Studio, Masambe and Flip Side. It’s the sixth edition of this annual festival which started as a showcase of community theatre and has evolved into a multi-faceted platform which features established artists and emerging theatre makers.
This year, musical theatre figures prominently ( full band, marimba, violin et al). A stand-up comedy platform has been introduced and there will be staged play readings in the Masambe. The Zabalaza has partnered with Res 4 Res, a theatre festival facilitated by UCT residences. Two plays from Res 4 Res will be at the Zabalaza: Horrible Periods of Insanity and S**t has hit the Fan. There will also be also children’s theatre.
The festival opens on Friday, March 11 to an invited audience, showcasing snippets from the 35 productions on the festival. The Zabalaza Weekend follows on Saturday and Sunday March 12 -13. The main Zabalaza programme follows the Zabalaza Weekend – from the Monday to Friday (March 14-18) with 14 productions, with seven slots each day: 10am, 11.15am, 12.30pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm.
The Zabalaza Weekend was introduced last year and was a hit with audiences. It replaced what was formerly called the fringe. Thami Mbongo (Zabalaza) artistic director said the platform has created a “festival vibe” over the weekend and has enabled schoolchildren and others who are busy during the week to participate. Mbongo and his colleagues, Zoleka Helesi and Bongile Mantsai who make up the Zabalaza creative and production team are on a mission to broaden its scope.
Helesi says: “We want to show growth.” Mbongo adds: “To show continuity: so we are showing the work that previous winners and participants are doing.”
The Zabalaza isn’t a one-off talent search, where there is a moment of glory and that’s it. Says Mantsai: “We are looking at our five-year plan and saying: okay – look where we started. Look at where some of the people have gone with the careers. There is a lot of opportunity for people. Every year, we see new people. It’s that kind of platform: new writers, new directors.” Featuring artists who have previously made their mark on the Zabalaza is increasingly becoming a vital part of the programme.
This year, Zabs alumni Philip Dikotla and Khayelethu Anthony, who have gone on to win Fleur du Cap and Naledi awards, are participating in the programme – presenting plays (new works, staged readings and comedy).
Another returnee is Bulelani Mabutyana who won the 2012 Best of Zabalaza – for the The Worst of Both Worlds. He is on the Zabalaza with a guest production, Ezimpikweni (loosely translated as “flying”.
The Zabalaza team is mindful that the festival is still perceived by many as “black community theatre”. That is not so. Anyone may apply.
This year, productions will be performed in English, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Zulu and Shona.
Mantsai says “The Zabs is not only a festival that happens in March. It is a whole year of mini festivals, workshops, interventions, field work; mentoring of artists and scripts.”
● Book for the Zabalaza at Computicket; tickets are priced from R30. There is a range of ticket prices and packages for schools and community groups. See www. baxter.co.za.