Focusing on whales, this high energy physical theatre show explores the comparisons between whales and humans and lets us in on some of the secrets of these mysterious creatures of the deep.
The wondering whale watchers are on a quest to be like whales as they swirl their audience into an exciting adventure of juggling to catch food, bubbling underwater music and receiving e-whales from a whale called Wonder.
They explore the relationship between whales and people through the ages and look at how these beautiful creatures communicate, what they eat and how they form part of the ecology of the planet.
Through this fun adventure for the whole family the wondering whale watchers discover a new way forward for the relationship between whales and people.
This show was originally created by Jungle Theatre Company in 2001.
The age old African art of storytelling comes alive on stage with this original production of traditional African animal folklore tales. Through comedy, song, dance and drama these stories are made relevant to a contemporary audience as they bring their ‘lessons’ into a modern day context.
Our story begins with a family preparing for a feast. Khokho (great grandfather) is returning home after a long journey of collecting stories from around Africa and his granddaughter and great granddaughter are hard at work readying themselves for his arrival.
We join Khokho on the last leg of his journey and discover that a villain, who wishes to steal his suitcase of stories, is secretly pursuing him.
Along the way Khokho rests often, as he is tired from his long journey, and opens his suitcase to recount the many stories that he has gathered. These stories come to life using physical theatre and the creative use of props and costumes.
We are constantly aware of the villain in the background and are humored by Khokho’s ability to unwittingly ward him off.
The themes of the stories are linked to incidents that we see occurring back home between mother and daughter. They tackle issues such as respect, patience and greed.
Khokho’s final story is told after his well-celebrated arrival back home. He cleverly incorporates local townsfolk and his family to enact the story. Then much to the villain’s surprise Khokho involves him in the story and through this the villain learns about sharing and the power of storytelling.
Did you know that troubled children who have either witnessed or experienced abuse are far more likely to mistreat animals? It is hard to understand why any child would mistreat an animal. This show provides a platform for discussion which can lead to remedies as the reasons cover other problems. It also shows children how to treat and love animals.
This entertaining, interactive and informative show teaches children about how important it is to respect animals as they fall in love with our endearing puppet, Wafi.
The child is thrown out of home and meets a stray dog, Wafi, who is in the same predicament. The two form a special friendship and discover new ways to take care of each other. A villainous man, Mr Jacobs, takes them in and puts them to work stealing for him to cover their food and board. They attend an Animal Welfare meeting at the local community centre to steal as much as they can, but end up getting so involved in all that is being taught that they forget to steal. Mr Jacobs is so angry that he accompanies them to the next meeting.
The show looks at the development of these relationships and compares the various attitudes towards domestic animal welfare.
With songs, actions, interesting characters and an adorable life like dog puppet, this show has proven to be a hit with all who see it and the children fall in love with Wafi.
Do you know why trees are important and do our children know? This show teaches, in a fun way, about why trees are important, what they give us and why they should be conserved. This hilarious show is the perfect, ‘fun’draiser!
Our story takes place in a small, tranquil village where the villagers are working hard to beautify the area in preparation for a wedding ceremony. However, peace is disturbed and the ceremony disrupted, when greedy developers swoop in and begin to wreak havoc on the land. As more trees are chopped down and building continues, Mother Nature has to step in and through the voice of an old man, a great magical tree, airs her concerns to the developers and encourages them to change their ways before it is too late…The Tree Show and workshop program celebrates indigenous trees as a vital part of our existence. This fun and interactive show uses song, dance and drama to engage the audience in a lively and interactive storytelling experience. We look at current threats that trees face in the light of unsustainable development and conclude that we, as custodians of the planet, should work together with nature instead of against her.
The show is completed with an interactive tree planting workshop at the venue where the show is performed. Children from the audience become involved in the planting of an indigenous tree that they will then be able to watch and nurture as it grows over the years. This tree stands as a reminder of the importance of trees to life on the planet.
Children who suffer at the hands of adults often have no idea that they have rights and what better way to teach them through a story?
Vulnerable children and good adults are mesmerized by this adventure. They become emotionally involved as they watch the ‘baddies’ denying basic rights to the children they have taken prisoner. Being part of this highly interactive show, makes them feel:
- excited when Themba is told he must find his Inheritance,
- empathy when he is captured and used as a slave with other children,
- appalled by the greedy gluttons who scoff at the notion that everyone is equal in South Africa, even children,
- warmed by the loving guidance of the guardian angel,
- repulsed by the anti-heroes,
- shocked when Themba stands up for his rights and his fellow prisoners,
- angry when the bad guy tries to hurt Themba,
- protective of the children when they escape,
- and delighted when Themba triumphs and the rights of children which is their real inheritance are indelibly imprinted in their minds and emotions.
The children in the story triumph over the abusers in the end which gives them the courage they need to speak out. The more children who can see this show the better.
iLifa was inspired by the 40th anniversary of the National Arts Festival and the 20th anniversary of our Democratic Constitution.
This production deals with HIV/AIDS and tells the story of 12 year old Vuyo, a hero with a big dream. He is the best singer in his choir and when he grows up he wants to be a choir master, perhaps even lead his own choir to participate in national competitions. Vuyo has a obstacle between him and his goals – his father is very sick. With homework and the extra responsibilities of caring for his father, he has no time to attend choir practice. He deals with the teasing and bullying of other children when they find out that his father is HIV positive. To reach his goal he will have to conquer a monster (iRhamncwa), a personification of fear and shame about HIV/AIDS. The story is about resilience, courage and determination, about not giving up and striving for a dream.
A girl discovers a world under the sea: Riding on the spotty whale shark, chatting with the clever hammer head and singing with the colourful cat shark. Danger lurks around every corner and she learns some secrets of the deep.
Partly based on Lesley Rochat’s ‘Sue Finds Happy Eddie the Shy Shark’, Shark Dreams tells a local tale about a girl whose love for the sea takes her on a magical shark adventure. Shark Dreams showcases the many different types of sharks and educates young people about ocean and beach safety including: the role of the shark spotters in protecting beach goers; the meaning of the flags on the beaches; critical safety tips when swimming and using the beach. The play creates understanding and awareness about the important role sharks play in marine ecosystems and the food chain and dispels myths created through misinformation and hearsay.
Shark Dreams is 45 minutes in duration and is suitable for Grades 4-9
“Exquisite costumes and brilliant acting skills.” Strand Moslem School
Shark Dreams was created in 2009 in conjunction with the Save Our Seas Shark Centre for City of Cape Town’s Environmental Resource Management Department’s Youth Environmental Schools (YES) programme. Shark Dreams was rolled out as an outreach programme to schools in Cape Town’s south peninsula; performed for World Environment Week and Marine Week in 2009 as well as the Blue Flag Beach campaign in 2010. The AfriOceans Conservation Alliance has also provided funding for community and schools outreach performances. Shark Dreams has also been performed at the Marine and Coastal Educators Network conferences where it has received a standing ovation.
Currently starring:
Nimray Kruger, Unathi Speelman, Simric Yarrow and Vincent Meyburgh.
Moya is a young rising soccer star, his goal scoring record has made him a hero in his township. He has an asthma attack during training and ends up in hospital, where Moya has a nightmare about a Death Monster who feeds on smoke and pollution. Unable to play soccer, Moya is dropped from his team and loses the affections of his bling-bling girlfriend. Determined to find out the causes of his misfortune, Moya embarks on a journey of discovery into the causes of air pollution and the threat of climate change. He finds ways to heal himself and his environment and destroys the Death Monster.
Moya meets different characters who give him advice and information. He confronts industrial giants and meets the municipal air quality management team and finds out about local by-laws. With a new outlook on life he finds a new sustainable lifestyle.
Moya – The Air We Breathe is 45 minutes in duration and is suitable for Grades 8-12. An accompanying drama skills workshop of 45 minutes is also available. It was developed for a high school audience for the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Resource Management Department and was performed at 10 high schools for Air Quality Week in February 2008. Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning commissioned a reduced version for their 2 Precious 2 Pollute Campaign in 2010.
Currently starring: Unathi Speelman, Nelson Chileshe Musonda, Mfundo Hashe and Ntombifuthi Mkhasibe.
Rubbish Wrap uses waste as a resource for the imagination. A talking tree’s leaves make homes for worms. A bottle top shark sings “Free the Sea!!” A magical musical recycling machine lets some surprises emerge at the other end.
Rubbish Wrap is a play about the creation and cycle of waste and the transfer of energy in nature’s own recycling system from one organism to another through the food chain. It contrasts the chain of consumption from raw materials to the dump sites of the industrialised world. The play enables learners to break the consumption and waste cycle through participation, fostering efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Rubbish Wrap is 45 minutes in duration and is suitable for Grades 4-9.
Jungle Theatre Company was commissioned by City of Cape Town Environmental Resource Management Department to create a short 20 min play to complement the waste chapter in The Smart Living Handbook in 2008. Rubbish Wrap was toured to schools as part of the Youth Environmental Schools’ (YES) Waste Wise Week in 2008 and 2009 and was accompanied by a 45 minute workshop. For the YES Blue Flag beach programme in March 2009, which focussed on marine and coastal pollution, the play and workshop were combined in a 45 minute interactive play and returned to the Blue Flag campaign in 2011.
Currently starring:
Unathi Speelman; Mfundo Hashe and Vincent Meyburgh.
A family of rampant consumers are struggling with power cuts. Father Sun speaks to them with a warm voice. He shows them how they are destroying mother earth by burning the ancient sunlight of Father Sun. They learn to use reduce consumption, use renewable energy and heal mother earth before it is too late.
Father Sun is a play about energy and climate change. The sun explains how air pollution from generation of electricity and people’s day to day reliance on oil are forcing climate change upon the earth. He reasons that climate change will have a dramatic impact upon the unique biodiversity of the Cape Town metropolitan area and in turn how this will impact upon communities in the form of floods, drought; natural disasters and subsequently food and water security. The family learns about alternative energy sources (wind; wave and solar power) and how to change their daily lifestyle. Father Sun uses images music and audience participation to make the learning experience fun.
Father Sun is 45 minutes in duration and is suitable for Grades 4-9. An accompanying drama skills workshop is also available.
Created in 2008, Father Sun was rolled out as part of Climate Change and Energy Week and Marine and Climate Change Week for the City’s Youth Environmental Schools programme that year and with City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management in 2009 and 2010.
Currently starring:
Mfundo Hashe, Nimray Kruger, Unathi Speelman Vincent Meyburgh and Simric Yarrow.