Junction Avenue Theatre Company
Junction Avenue Theatre Company (JATC) is a Johannesburg based theatre company.
Also referred to as Junction Avenue Theatre or simply Junction Avenue in some sources.
Contents
History
Founded in 1976 by William Kentridge, Malcolm Purkey, Ari Sitas while students at University of the Witwatersrand. This company created a space in which working-class subjects (as defined in Marxist discourse) could be used to facilitate confrontation with the prevailing issues, particularly regarding the state in the late 1970s. Other key participants include Astrid von Kotze.
When Workshop '71 dissolved in 1976, many of its members joined Junction Avenue Theatre Company.
Among the protegés of the company who went on to play important roles in the industry are many members of the cast of Sophiatown, i.e. Patrick Shai, Arthur Molepo, Doreen Mazibuko, Gladys Mothlane, Madidi Maphoto, Siphiwe Khumalo and Ramolao Makhene.
Productions
Plays included
1976: The Fantastical History of a Useless Man
1978: Randlords and Rotgut
1979: Will of a Rebel, Security
1980: Ilanga Lizophumela Abasebenzi
1981: Wooze Bear and the Zoo-Bears
1983: Emily's Wheelbarrow Show... and the Infamous Mr Sterntrap
1986: Sophiatown
1997: Love, Crime and Johannesburg
Sources
Junction Avenue Theatre Company. 1988;
Tucker, 1997,
Orkin, 200*
National Arts Festival programme, 1991. 50.
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