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.

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.

Productions

Plays included

1976: The Fantastical History of a Useless Man

1978: Randlords and Rotgut (1978)

1979: Will of a Rebel, Security (1979)

1980: Ilanga Lizophumela Abasebenzi

1985: Sophiatown (1985)

1997: Love, Crime and Johannesburg (1997).

Junction Avenue Theatre Company: Founded in 1976 by Malcolm Purkey. In collaboration with the Company they presented Sophiatown starring Minky Schlesinger and created by its cast at Upstairs at the Market in February 1986, the Market main house, abroad, with many return visits. They were awarded for Sophiatown.

Sources

Junction Avenue Theatre Company. 1988;

Tucker, 1997,

Orkin, 200*

For more information

National Arts Festival programme, 1991. 50.

Return to

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

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page