Difference between revisions of "Soweto Theatre"

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The '''Soweto Theatre''', cnr Bolani Road and Bolani Link, Jabulani, opened on 16th May 2012 with ''[[The Suitcase]]''by [[Es’kia Mphahlehle]].
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The term '''Soweto Theatre''' can have two meanings, referring either to theatre as an activity and to a theatricval venue. Both are discussed below.
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=Referring to [[theatre]] as an activity in Soweto=
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Used as a general or generic term, this may refer to all the various theatrical activities in Soweto.
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''See the overview provided in the entry on [[Theatre in Soweto]]''.
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=Referring to a  [[performance]] space=
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== Founding and management ==
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The '''[[Soweto Theatre]]''' is a [[Civic Theatre|city theatre]] at the corner of Bolani Road and Bolani Link, Jabulani, opened on 16th May 2012 with a performance of ''[[The Suitcase]]'' by [[Es’kia Mphahlele]], adapted and directed by [[James Ngcobo]].
 
   
 
   
Built in a zone of public space within the high density, mixed-use Jabulani CBD, it is intended to be a multi-purpose performing arts centre for theatre productions, dance, music, film and community gatherings. Known as the “cultural heart” of the suburb, it includes the existing [[Jabulani Amphitheatre]], parkland, public art and other amenities. Residents of Soweto as well as the greater Johannesburg and surrounds will be able to enjoy professional local and international productions.
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Built in a zone of public space within the high density, mixed-use Jabulani CBD, the  colourful, candy-coated building with flaring sails and cosy 436-seater auditorium, is intended to be a multi-purpose performing arts centre for theatre productions, dance, music, film and community gatherings. Known as the "cultural heart" of the suburb, it includes the existing [[Jabulani Amphitheatre]], parkland, public art and other amenities. Residents of Soweto as well as the greater Johannesburg and surrounds will be able to enjoy professional local and international productions.
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In 2013 [[Warona Seane]] was appointed as artistic director for the theatre.
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In 2014 the City of Johannesburg, as part of its ongoing Institutional Review, resolved that the three civic theatres, the [[Joburg Theatre]], the [[Roodepoort Theatre]] and the [[Soweto Theatre]], be integrated into a single theatre management company, [[Joburg City Theatres]] ([[JCT]]),  to manage the  functions and services of the theatres.
  
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== Productions and activities ==
  
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Besides ''[[The Suitcase]]'' (2012), other productions done at the theatre have incuded ''[[Masote's Dream]]'' (201*), ''[[Book of Revelations]]'' (201*),''[[Colour Me Human]]'' (2015)
The Suitcase is a short story Es’kia Mphahlele wrote in 1954 and has been adapted for the stage and directed by James Ngcobo. A beautiful story of love and trial, The Suitcase is about the lives of ordinary black people, lives that have been twisted and contorted out of shape by circumstances.
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== Awards ==
Set in the 1950s and based on an actual event, The Suitcase centres on a young rural couple, Timi Ngobese, played by Siyabonga Twala, and Namhla Ngobese, played by Xolile Tshabalala. The couple, despite family disapproval of their marriage, leave for the city.
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Filled with hope, the husband dreams of returning to the village with his fortune. But this hope fades and, desperate to provide for his pregnant wife, he steals a suitcase left in a bus, an act that dramatically changes his life.
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In 2015 the [[Soweto Theatre]] received a Lifestyle and Achievement Award from [[Jozi FM]] radio station  for their work.
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James Ngcobo, director of The Suitcase, says: “To be able to yet again pick up this great piece of story-telling by our giant Es’kia Mphahlele leaves one with a lot of humility, to honour his work and the biographies that he put in this story. There is poignancy about how he wove this story that it is still in conversation with contemporary issues.
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= Sources =
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Mphahlehle, one of the great Drum writers of the 50’s, left us with a body of work including pieces like “Down Second Avenue”, but mostly his work in the community of Soweto is really what makes it special that his story “The Suitcase” becomes the gateway of narrative in this symbolic space called the Soweto Theatre, a gift for all communities in Gauteng and beyond.
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"Soweto Theatre seeks Marketing Manager" [[Artslink]] 06/11/2014[http://www.artlink.co.za/news_article.htm?contentID=35650]
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See [[ESAT Bibliography]]
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= Return to =
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Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
  
 
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
 
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 05:30, 25 November 2015

The term Soweto Theatre can have two meanings, referring either to theatre as an activity and to a theatricval venue. Both are discussed below.

Referring to theatre as an activity in Soweto

Used as a general or generic term, this may refer to all the various theatrical activities in Soweto.

See the overview provided in the entry on Theatre in Soweto.

Referring to a performance space

Founding and management

The Soweto Theatre is a city theatre at the corner of Bolani Road and Bolani Link, Jabulani, opened on 16th May 2012 with a performance of The Suitcase by Es’kia Mphahlele, adapted and directed by James Ngcobo.

Built in a zone of public space within the high density, mixed-use Jabulani CBD, the colourful, candy-coated building with flaring sails and cosy 436-seater auditorium, is intended to be a multi-purpose performing arts centre for theatre productions, dance, music, film and community gatherings. Known as the "cultural heart" of the suburb, it includes the existing Jabulani Amphitheatre, parkland, public art and other amenities. Residents of Soweto as well as the greater Johannesburg and surrounds will be able to enjoy professional local and international productions.

In 2013 Warona Seane was appointed as artistic director for the theatre.

In 2014 the City of Johannesburg, as part of its ongoing Institutional Review, resolved that the three civic theatres, the Joburg Theatre, the Roodepoort Theatre and the Soweto Theatre, be integrated into a single theatre management company, Joburg City Theatres (JCT), to manage the functions and services of the theatres.

Productions and activities

Besides The Suitcase (2012), other productions done at the theatre have incuded Masote's Dream (201*), Book of Revelations (201*),Colour Me Human (2015)

Awards

In 2015 the Soweto Theatre received a Lifestyle and Achievement Award from Jozi FM radio station for their work.

Sources

"Soweto Theatre seeks Marketing Manager" Artslink 06/11/2014[1]

See ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page