Difference between revisions of "Theatre for Africa"

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Founded by [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]] in 198*. A company focussing on eco-issues and utilizing mime, mimetic sounds, minimalist costuming and stage settings. The performers are expected to be multi-skilled and are trained in improvisational techniques to develop texts. Well known company members over the years have been Ellis Pearson, Jonathan?* Grealy, Bheki Mkhwane, *. Their most prominent works have been Horn of Sorrow (1989), Elephant of Africa (1992) and Guardians of Eden (1996), ''[[Spirit of the Lake]]'' (1997). By 1999 there were * companies, distributed throughout Southern Africa, *. Theatre for Africa: Nicholas Ellenbogen’s initiative. They presented Raiders of the Lost Aardvark at the Wits University Theatre in 1991. They presented Cinderella at the Wits University Theatre in 1991. They presented Kwamanzi and Elephant of Africa at the Wits Theatre in 1992. ****
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[[Theatre for Africa]] (1989-) is a theatrical company.
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==The company==
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Founded by [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]] in 1989, and based on his earlier improvisational work with the [[Loft Theatre Company]], the company utilizes mime, mimetic sounds, minimalist costuming and stage settings to tell stories and address a range of issues. The performers are expected to be multi-skilled and are trained in improvisational techniques to develop texts. Well known company members over the years have been [[Ellis Pearson]], [[Brendan Grealy]], [[Bheki Mkhwane]], [[Liz Szymczak]], *.  
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It has become particularly well known for its award-winning work on ecological issues on the one hand, and for the commercially successful series of [[Raiders]] plays. These works have been taken on various intentional tours, including many countries in Africa
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In 1991-2 the company initiated and managed ''[[Envirovision]]'', a primary schools' environmental play workshop.
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==The plays and productions==
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Among their most prominent works have been ''[[Horn of Sorrow]]'' (1989), ''[[Elephant of Africa]]'' (1992), ''[[Guardians of Eden]]'' (1996) and ''[[Spirit of the Lake]]'' (1997).  
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''For a fulll listing of the plays done by [[Theatre for Africa]], see the entry on '''[[Nicholas Ellenbogen]]'''''
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==Recognition==
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[[Theatre for Africa]] and [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]] have received numerous forms of recognition over the years, including Command Performances for royalty and international leaders. '''(See entries on individual plays as well as the entry on [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]].)'''
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Among the most prominent awards have been:
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1990: An [[Vita Award|AA Life Vita Award]] for ''[[Horn of Sorrow]]'' and [[Pick of the Fringe Award|Pick of the Fringe Awards]] at Grahamstown for ''[[Horn of Sorrow]]'', ''[[Kloof Eagle]]'' and ''[[Raiders of the Lost Aardvark]]''
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1991: ''[[A Nativity]]'' nominated for the [[Dawie Malan Award]] for best South African Play; ''[[Horn of Sorrow]]'' and ''[[Kloof Eagle]]'' awarded the Edinburgh Scotsman Fringe First Award; Ellenbogen receives an award from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)[https://www.wwf.org.za/] for his exceptional contribution to environmental conservation.
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1995: [[Theatre for Africa]] receives the WWF's Merit Award for Innovative Environmental Education 
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1996: ''[[Guardians of Eden]]'' receives the [[Herald Angel Award]], the Edinburgh Scotsman Fringe First Award and The Secretary's Open Forum Certificate of Appreciation (on behalf of the USA State Department).  
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2006: Ellenbogen received a [[Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards|Fleur du Cap Award]] for best supporting actor for his role in ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' at [[Maynardville]].
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2014: Ellenbogen honoured with the [[Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards|Fleur de Cap Lifetime Achievement Award]].
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
[[Percy Tucker]], 1997
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[[Nicholas Ellenbogen]] and [[Liz Szymczak]] (eds). 2003. ''[[Nicholas Ellenbogen's Horn of Sorrow and Elephant of Africa]]''. Cape Town: [[Theatre for Africa]].
== For more information ==
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[[Nicholas Ellenbogen]] and [[Liz Szymczak]] (eds). 2003. ''[[Nicholas Ellenbogen: Horing van Hartseer en Olifant van Afrika]]''. Cape Town: [[Theatre for Africa]].
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[[Theatre for Africa]]. (n.d.) ''[[The Complete Works of Nicholas Ellenbogen and Theatre for Africa]]'' Claremont, Cape Town.
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[[Veronica Baxter]] and [[James Aitchison]]. 2006. The playful theatre of [[Nicholas Ellenbogen]]. 1985–1990. In ''[[South African Theatre Journal]]'' Vol 20: pp. 48-64.[https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10137548.2006.9687825?journalCode=rthj20]
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"Nicholas Ellenbogen" In: [[IMDb]][https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1802111/]
  
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[[Percy Tucker]]. 1997. ''Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business''. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press.
  
 
== Return to ==
 
== Return to ==

Latest revision as of 15:04, 12 October 2022

Theatre for Africa (1989-) is a theatrical company.

The company

Founded by Nicholas Ellenbogen in 1989, and based on his earlier improvisational work with the Loft Theatre Company, the company utilizes mime, mimetic sounds, minimalist costuming and stage settings to tell stories and address a range of issues. The performers are expected to be multi-skilled and are trained in improvisational techniques to develop texts. Well known company members over the years have been Ellis Pearson, Brendan Grealy, Bheki Mkhwane, Liz Szymczak, *.

It has become particularly well known for its award-winning work on ecological issues on the one hand, and for the commercially successful series of Raiders plays. These works have been taken on various intentional tours, including many countries in Africa

In 1991-2 the company initiated and managed Envirovision, a primary schools' environmental play workshop.

The plays and productions

Among their most prominent works have been Horn of Sorrow (1989), Elephant of Africa (1992), Guardians of Eden (1996) and Spirit of the Lake (1997).

For a fulll listing of the plays done by Theatre for Africa, see the entry on Nicholas Ellenbogen

Recognition

Theatre for Africa and Nicholas Ellenbogen have received numerous forms of recognition over the years, including Command Performances for royalty and international leaders. (See entries on individual plays as well as the entry on Nicholas Ellenbogen.)

Among the most prominent awards have been:

1990: An AA Life Vita Award for Horn of Sorrow and Pick of the Fringe Awards at Grahamstown for Horn of Sorrow, Kloof Eagle and Raiders of the Lost Aardvark

1991: A Nativity nominated for the Dawie Malan Award for best South African Play; Horn of Sorrow and Kloof Eagle awarded the Edinburgh Scotsman Fringe First Award; Ellenbogen receives an award from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)[1] for his exceptional contribution to environmental conservation.

1995: Theatre for Africa receives the WWF's Merit Award for Innovative Environmental Education

1996: Guardians of Eden receives the Herald Angel Award, the Edinburgh Scotsman Fringe First Award and The Secretary's Open Forum Certificate of Appreciation (on behalf of the USA State Department).

2006: Ellenbogen received a Fleur du Cap Award for best supporting actor for his role in Twelfth Night at Maynardville.

2014: Ellenbogen honoured with the Fleur de Cap Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sources

Nicholas Ellenbogen and Liz Szymczak (eds). 2003. Nicholas Ellenbogen's Horn of Sorrow and Elephant of Africa. Cape Town: Theatre for Africa.

Nicholas Ellenbogen and Liz Szymczak (eds). 2003. Nicholas Ellenbogen: Horing van Hartseer en Olifant van Afrika. Cape Town: Theatre for Africa.

Theatre for Africa. (n.d.) The Complete Works of Nicholas Ellenbogen and Theatre for Africa Claremont, Cape Town.

Veronica Baxter and James Aitchison. 2006. The playful theatre of Nicholas Ellenbogen. 1985–1990. In South African Theatre Journal Vol 20: pp. 48-64.[2]

"Nicholas Ellenbogen" In: IMDb[3]

Percy Tucker. 1997. Just the Ticket. My 50 Years in Show Business. Johannesburg: Witwatersrand University Press.

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