Robert Kavanagh

KAVANAGH, Robert. (Also known in his writings as RK, Robert McLaren and Mshengu) (19**-) Highly influential theatre researcher, critic, theorist, teacher, theatre practitioner and political activist. **** In 1971 he was a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand and founded a training company called Theatre Workshop ’71 which aimed at producing experimental and improvised political theatre utilizing multiracial casts. ***. Under the name “Mshengu” he directed Crossroads for them and directed and helped devise Survival and uHlanga – The Reed (1975), staging them at The Space before taking them on tour. Also helped found, edit and write many articles, commentaries and reviews for S’ketsh under his various pseudonyms. In 19** he left the country for the UK to complete his doctoral studies at ***, which he published as the influential book Theatre and Cultural Struggle in South Africa (Zed, 1984?). Also edited (though uncredited) the seminal collection of plays entitled South African People’s Plays (***, 1981?*). In 199* he returned to Southern Africa to teach in Botswana, and in 199* returned to South Africa as part time lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand. In 2000 he published a handbook on theatre-making entitled ***** (Routledge?*), ??** [follow up!!] MSHENGU. (****) He directed Crossroads as well as directed and helped devise Survival and uHlanga – The Reed. All three of these productions were staged at The Space.

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