Creating legacies through theatre

[caption id="attachment_35774" align="alignright" width="300"] FOR THE ARTS: From left are Phambili Ngcanyisa, Gift Buqa and Sharon Rother of 'Isithatha' Theatre in Walmer township. Picture: BRIAN WITBOOI[/caption]

WALMER Township in Nelson Mandela Bay will be the setting for the Project1VOICE international theatre project on Monday when two pertinent drama pieces will be staged.

More than 30 theatre companies and diverse institutions from different countries are taking part in this international experience.

Monday marks the 40th anniversary of the stage debut of For Coloured Girls...

The seminal American work combines poetry, dance and music to place the African American female's experience centre stage.

The Tony and Obie Awardwinning play is a compilation of 20 poems, collectively called a "choreopoem".

The initiative ventured into South Africa for the first time last year when actress Marti Gobel visited Port Elizabeth.

According to Sharon Rother, a member of the  Isithatha Theatre project, led by her, Gift Buqa and Phambili Ngcanyisa, the aim is to ensure the legacy continues.

There will be a premier performance of Picture Frame performed by Buqa and directed by Fundile Makosi on Monday at 2pm, followed by a play reading of For Coloured Girls...  at 4pm.

"Last year, for the first time ever, this project was run by the Isithatha Theatre when actress Marti Gobel visited to perform her production of Neat! at the Barn Theatre at the Opera House. Marti conducted several acting workshops during her visit," Rother said.

"The local Isithatha Theatre will be instrumental in continuing this tradition."

These shows will take place at their theatre venue at 98 Gamanda Street. For booking enquiries, please contact Sharon on 082-774-9083. - Deon van der Walt