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.
American Fullbright scholar Amy Biehl is killed in the Gugulethu township of Cape Town: it’s a senseless murder, carried out by four youths. The mother of one of them tries to make sense of it all by recounting events in an imaginary conversation with Amy’s mother. It’s a real ‘heart to heart’ communication of personal testimony in an imaginary response to this real event, showing how one unforgiving moment in an ordinary day had repercussions beyond the imaginable. Mother to Mother tells a powerfully moving story of forgiveness, reconciliation and understanding across cultures and continents.
Performer: Thembi Mtshali-Jones
Workshops: There will be a talk-back with learners after the show for 20-30 minutes.
Be grateful for what you have today for tomorrow it may be gone
The Magic Bird is the story of the legendary Magic Bird – an elemental being that protects and supports the balance of nature in the forests of Africa. Her path crosses that of a married couple Mandisa and Wanjohi.
Mandisa is a demanding, critical and suspicious young woman, whilst her husband, Wanjohi, is a capable, brave, honest, yet compulsive dreamer. They are struggling to survive in the midst of a crippling African drought – their water well has dried up and all their plants refuse to grow.
Wanjohi unwittingly captures the Magic Bird in one of his traps. He is delighted to find that he has caught some food and is about to slaughter the bird when, to his absolute amazement, she pleads with him to spare her life. Wanjohi is so struck by her beauty and wise words that in his heart, he does not have the courage to kill her.
Upon setting the Magic Bird free, she gives him two of her feathers and suggests that everyday he should wish for his hearts desire and it shall be fulfilled. Her only request is that he never tell a soul about their meeting and the wish that she has bestowed upon him. Wanjohi assures the bird that he will hold true to this promise and makes a wish; that he and his wife will have a feast of food and drink on his returning home.
Wanjohi cannot wait to get home and when he enters their hut he is delighted to find his wife dancing and singing around a table filled with delicious treats. For the following week the couple find that their cupboards are never empty and their dry water well now gurgles with crystal, clear, sparkling, fresh water. Life is good!
The curious and controlling Mandisa cannot stop nagging her husband Wanjohi to tell her truth behind their good fortune. When he holds true to his promise and tells her to be grateful for what they have, she only becomes more dissatisfied and plots to discover the truth.
All her plotting and planning finally succeeds and as Wanjohi blurts out the truth all their good fortune disappears. Too late, Mandisa realizes the mistake she has made and promises to change her ways. Once again Wanjohi lays his traps and starts hunting in the forest for food. As luck would have it, he captures the Magic Bird once again but in this instance Wanjohi not only sets her free but also saves her from the ravenously hungry dog that has accompanied him on his hunting expedition. The Magic Bird blesses him for his bravery and kindness with two more feathers and returns to her magical work. Mandisa and Wanjohi live the rest of their lives in comfort, ever grateful for the Magic Bird’s lessons.
Despite being predominantly French-speaking, Cameroonian audiences were charmed and entertained by the new South African children’s musical Snake Magic when it was staged in Yaounde recently as part of an international arts festival.
“It is a work that is able to transcend language through its use of puppetry and music and seems to enjoy a universal appeal,” says its creator, well-known Cape musician Heather Mac.
Adapted from an African legend, the play was selected for staging at the African Festival of Children’s Theatre in Cameroon last month. “As only 20% of the population speaks English, we were concerned that some of the children may not understand the narrative. I was delighted to be proven wrong,” she laughs.
Mac relates that Cameroonian children became so emotionally engaged with the story, that during one performance in a scene when one of the characters is frightened, audience members stood up and told her how sorry they were. “Some even gave the cast member fruit and snacks to help her! It brought tears to my eyes that in country where poverty surrounds everybody, such generosity exists.”
Snake Magic features Deon Nebulane, Lindelwa Kisana and David Muller is currently on at the Baxter’s Sanlam Studio at 11am until December 20.
During its first run at the Kalk Bay Theatre earlier this year, critics were extremely complimentary about the way Mac has breathed life into this uniquely African tale. “We’ve basically integrated a vibrant musical score with an adventure-filled story and in the process we’ve created the ideal holiday fare for the whole family,” she says.
Mac and the cast feel the show has grown since its first staging and believe its new incarnation and has been polished in such a way that it gets children in the audience to really engage with its underlying message. “Snake Magic tackles many different current issues that face children today, namely bullying, jealousy, gender conflict, animal rights and conservation,” says Heather.
“We hope that the play is one of the ways we can help nurture respect within children by highlighting the value of their environment, ‘mother earth’ and the importance of being kind, honest and caring within our family and our community.”
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