A hilarious one man show that gets the audience involved every step of the way. Vinnie is from planet Zok and needs help to get back home. He gets the children to help him to juggle, make music and ride a one wheel bike. Vinnie learns so much about planet Earth, in the end he wants to stay.
Vinnie comes down to earth to share his magic and to learn about different cultures. The show uses innovative puppetry, unique juggling tricks, original music, physical comedy and audience participation to entertain, inspire and enlighten earthlings. Vinnie From Zok encourages people to take part in the show and learn about different levels of communication in a multi-cultural society. Learning about different cultures is fun! It also inspires them to learn the different skills that Vinnie uses in his show including juggling and drumming.
Vinnie From Zok is 45 minutes long and suitable for Grades R-3
The one-man show Vinnie from Zok was created and performed in 2000, thanks to funding from the Consulate General Netherlands. It was performed all over Cape Town metropolitan area and received a great response from audiences in Gugulethu, Khayelitsha and Langa. The play was also taken to audiences in the Netherlands and has most recently been performed at the Muizenberg Community Festival, Synergy School, Soetwater Environmental Education Centre, Planet Kids and Red Cross Children’s Hospital.
Starring:
Vincent Meyburgh
!Kama Indlovu holds the key to the elephant world. He discovers three very different children fighting about elephants. !Kama takes them on a journey into the mysterious origins of Indlovu People. They get involved in magical puppetry, catchy music and comedy. Their relationship with these majestic creatures is changed forever.
Indlovu People reflects upon the history and interactions between humans and wild animals in man’s quest to dominate the earth. It reveals a chain of events that has created an issue of elephant overcrowding in Kruger National Park and the effects of enclosing wild animals in nature reserves. Indlovu People considers the range of elephant management options put forward by stakeholders and asks the audience to form their own opinion about this ‘problem species’.
Indlovu People is 45 minutes in duration and is suitable for Grades 4-9. An accompanying drama skills workshop is also available.
Indlovu People was commissioned by International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2008 as part of their Elephants Secure Habitats programme to raise awareness about issues surrounding elephant management in Southern Africa. The play was created under the direction of Stuart Palmer for schools’ twinnings run at the Baxter Theatre in May 2009. Heather Mac joined the team as guest director for a public performance in 2009 and under her direction the play has been adapted and ran at Out The Box festival and National Arts Festival in 2010 where it was part of the Cape Town Edge programme.
The Ogreling / Izim’elincinci, by acclaimed French Canadian playwright, Suzanne Lebeau and directed by Yvette Hardie is a rich visual feast for learners, with set and costume design by Illka Louw and shadow puppets by Daya Heller. The production can be presented in English or in isiXhosa (translated by Sindiwe Magona). It introduces learners to exploring moral dilemmas and choices through the exciting story of a six year old son of an ogre (or izim), who discovers his nature and decides to escape his destiny. To do this, he must overcome three ordeals. The Ogreling explores the never-ending struggle between good and evil that resides within each of us.
Drawing on ntsomi storytelling traditions, this haunting and magical tale crosses cultures and continents to bring you an audacious and beautiful creation… that gives us all we deeply need to live and grow…
The production is a strong support to the Life Orientation curriculum for Intermediate and Senior Phase learners which teaches the use of acquired life skills (self-management, problem-solving, personal discipline) to achieve and extend personal potential to respond effectively to challenges in the world. It can also support the Language curriculum, as well as introducing learners to aspects of the Creative Arts. The published text (in both English and Xhosa) provides a rich resource for language learning, language extension and creativity.
Immediately after the production, there will be a talk-back with the actors and director, where learners will be able to engage with the issues in the production, as well as learn a little about how the shadow puppetry is achieved. Workshops in life skills, drama and shadow puppetry are available on request.
The touring of the production to the Eastern Cape in 2012 is an ASSITEJ South Africa project.