River of Life – Umlambo Wobomi

Performed by: Jungle Theatre Company

No director listed

No playwright listed

Umlambo Wobomi /River Of Life is an African fairy tale about a rural tribe and their special princess Mamlambo, who all live by a beautiful river full of magical creatures. Set in an idyllic rural village where people live and work with nature and whose local river provides for their every need, River Of Life is a story of disconnection in a changing world. With her community in crisis, Mamlambo finds the courage to travel a path alone. She faces a hot dry desert, a teaming jungle and climbs the tallest mountain, all to find the Sangoma, save the river and her village.

Umlambo Wobomi /River Of Life is 40 minutes in duration and is best suited for Grades 4 – 7. An accompanying workshop is also available.

Umlambo Wobomi /River Of Life was the first production workshopped by the Laduma Jungle trainee team from Ocean View, Langa and Khayelitsha. Vincent Meyburgh directed the play with assistance from Nimray Kruger and Mfundo Hashe. It was first performed for the City of Cape Town’s National Water Week programme at Ratanga Junction in March 2011 and went onto two public run at the Masque Theatre in 2011 and 2012. It was part of the ASSITEJ SA Family Venue at the National Arts Festival in 2013, toured the West Coast Community at the start of March 2016 and was performed at the Masque Theatre during Water Week 2016.

Details

Duration:
40 minutes
Recommended Age:
No min or max grade set
Recommended Grade:
Grade 4 – Grade 7
Language(s):
English (first language) / Xhosa (second language)
Curriculum Connection:
Home/Additional Language, Life Orientation/Life Skills, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences
Themes Covered:
Change, Choices, Climate Change, Creativity, Economics, Environmental awareness, Group dynamics (peer pressure), Heroes, Identity, Illness and Disease, Imagination, Life skills, Literacy, Poverty, Relationships, Self-image, Survival

Audience Comments

It had an excellent message, preservation and conservation of water is very important, thank you for a fantastic presentation and message. – Kleinberg Primary

Highlights

Festivals attended: City of Cape Town’s National Water Week - Ratanga Junction (2011), Masque Theatre (2011/2012/2016), River of Life Wetlands week (2012), National Arts Festival (2013), West Coast Community tour (2016), Water Week - Masque Theatre (2016)
Schools that have seen this: Constantia Waldorf School, Kenridge Primary, Kalksteenfontein Primary, Montana Primary, Kleinberg Primary