Consciousness of culture

Dancing the death drill

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

Dancing the death drill

At the Joburg Theatre for the opening of “Dancing the death drill”, packed house, energy palpable, euphoric. So much excitement, there were even soldiers in uniform. My all time favorite performer stars in it, Sharon Spiegel-Wagner. A truly beautiful woman. She speaks French in this one, I rest my case.

What a wonderful theatrical production. I was ecstatic to see Thuli Thabethe, she used to star in a sitcom I used to love “City Sesla”. She played Phumzile, I used to have the biggest crush on Phumi. She plays Matshidiso in this one, the mother of the lead, Pitso Motaung. Her biggest contribution to her son is “don’t be a desserter like your father”. Pitso is a mixed breed, his father is white and his mother black but he identifies as a black Sesotho man. The play is in English but contains dialogue in Sesotho for realism. Clint Brink is a revelation, he speaks Sesotho so well. He plays a character who is accused of a double murder, he is in chains and he is interrogated.

The play has three narrators and they take turns telling the story. They use language that is descriptive and evokes imagery. The monologues are passionate and full of life and personality.  iComplete are the band and they are simply irresistible throughout, the singing and backup is amazing. The violinist, Nakedi “Ace” Phenyo is mezmarrizing, he is in the background for most of the show and is not seen but heard. Towards the end, he comes on in the middle of the stage with the other performers while playing his violin, everyone has eyes on him, he is spellbinding, he had the audience standing up and applauding. However, It was the Luthando Arts Academy who stole the show. They dance with cohesion, chemistry and conviction. In sync, perfect choreography, they make full use of the huge Joburg Theatre stage to perfection, they are outstanding!

The play is based on the sinking of the SS Mendi in 1917, a British troopship carrying over 800 South African men. The ship sank in the English Channel after a collision, resulting in the deaths of over 600 men, many of them Black South Africans. Writer Fred Khumalo reimagines this tragedy through the eyes of Pitso Motaung, a fictional character who rises from a humble background in South Africa to become a soldier. The story is adapted for the stage by Palesa Mazamisa and James Ngcobo. The set is the SS Mendi, we are on a boat and Charlie Bougenon’s character Portsmouth is the captain. I cracked up when he instructed one of his men to lick off his spit on the ground and he did, talk about running a tight ship.

This is a wonderful production with a lot of enthusiasm. The lighting is awesome and the acting, singing, dancing and overall storytelling is just world-class.

Congratulations James Ngcobo and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

📷: SamSays

Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat

At Pieter Toerien to watch “Joseph and the amazing technicolor Dreamcoat”, LAMTA, Spring Awakening, that type of vibe. An outstanding show, vibrant energy, youthful, defined bodies, six packs, wonderful lighting, a set that illuminates, Egypt, the eye of horus, fantastic choreographed movement and dance and the best singing in the world. It’s an experience, the sound coops you in, high tempo, faster revolutions.

A musical by Andrew Lloydwebber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). The story follows Joseph, the favorite of Jacob’s 12 sons, who is given a magnificent multicolored coat. His jealous brothers sell him into slavery, and Joseph ends up in Egypt. Despite many hardships, including being falsely imprisoned, Joseph rises to power by interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. Eventually, he is reunited with his family and forgives his brothers. No dialogue, it’s sung throughout. I took a picture with Joseph. A big credit to Duane Alexander and Jared Schaedler, the choreography is just awesome. The performers on the stage are incredible. They are lively and expressive, their bodies express liberation. They are free and happy. They do a lot, they become props, they carry and throw each other in the air, they run, they jump, they dance, the sing. The costumes are grand and the lighting moves the story. It’s an experience, you are in, you are in and what a journey it is.

Some of the songs performed are Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door, Go, go Joseph, One more Angel in Heaven and Song of the King.

Congratulations Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

📷: SamSays

The Frog Prince

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

The Frog Prince

At the Peoples Theatre, Joburg Theatre to watch The Frog Prince and other fantastic stories. A wonderful show for the kids with color, imagination, energy, funny gags, sing alongs, morality, fantastic costumes and plenty of participation from the audience. We were very helpful. It wasn’t just the Frog Prince, we had other great stories like: 3 Wishes, a story of a grant wishing flounder with a lifelong lesson about promises “you have to keep your promises”. There was Hansel and Gretel, The brave little tailor, The soup stone, The emperors new clothes and The brave little rooster. There was also a story about goats.

The performers also performed Happy, uptown funk, I’ve got the feeling and Waka Waka, encouraging and teaching the audience dance moves for participating. Perfect choreographed movement and dance.

It is fun and interactive, a lot of smiles and laughter. Children helped and donned costumes, so cute, they were flies, bees, kings guards and a whole lot more. Laughter and happiness reigned. Everyone participated.

Morals like “You have to keep your promise” and basically power; from a small cottage, to a castle to being the king to being the lord of the universe and don’t take things that don’t belong to you provide life lessons.

The wonderful performers are:
Luciano Zuppa
Thokozani TK Jiyane
Raymond Skinner
Noluthando Matebula

1 and a half hours with 10 minutes interval.

Congratulations Jill Girard and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing.

Godspell

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

Godspell

At the Wits Theatre to watch the Student Production of the Year, “Godspell”. So glad it was not preachy, you can’t be too sure when Jesus is the main character. He is a good, chilled guy in this production, he even has on his “Superman” shirt. He preaches compassion, joy and faith.

A musical conceived by John Micheal Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Godspell presents a series of parables, mostly drawn from the Gospel of Matthew, told through a framework of theatrical games, storytelling, and music. Jesus gathers a group of followers and teaches them lessons of love, humility, and service. The story culminates in a poignant reenactment of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion.

The set is simple, wide stage and a fence at the back. Behind the fence above is a big cross made of wood pallets, on either side of the big cross are small crosses also made of wood pallets. The set reinforces the Christian theme.

Yahto Kraft plays Jesus with Grant Towers as Judas. The followers of Jesus are the Oakfields College Musical Theatre and Dance Students from the first year to the final year. They all give their best, they are boundless energy, they are expressive and highly animated. They light-up, performing different dance styles. Wonderful team chemistry and choreographed movement. Costumes are colorful and bright with waterpaints on their faces. Everyone tells the story, everyone is involved in the story, everyone has a line, everyone has a role even if you are an echo backing up what the previous performer just uttered, often times they dramatized it to comedic effect. The singing and lighting are just irresistible. Some of the songs performed are; Day by day, Prepare Ye (The way of the Lord), All for the best, By my side, We beseech thee and other classics.

It’s the Naledi Award winning “Student Production of the Year” for a reason. They perform their hearts out, with precision, care and love for their craft.

Congratulations Tracey Human and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

📷: SamSays

The Importance of Being Earnest

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

The Importance of Being Earnest

Day 4, an extended birthday run, at Ster-Kinekor Rosebank to watch “The Importance of Being Earnest”.

One of my favorite superhero movies of all time is Spider-Man 2. In the movie, Peter Parker’s love interest, Mary-Jane Watson stars in a Broadway play called “The Importance of Being Earnest”. I was always curious, always wanted to see this Oscar Wilde classic. A full circle moment, today I got to watch it on the big screen with Popcorn, Cream Soda with ice and crisp sound. Live theatre production straight from the UK, a production by National Theatre. Watching theatre on the big screen is so refreshing, there’s even an interval, the cinema is in my life again, Janet de Kretser is my new best friend.

Oscar Wilde is undoubtedly one of the greatest playwrights of all time. The writing on “The Importance of Being Earnest” is truly phenomenal, with wit, sarcasm, humor, irony, perfect pacing and beat by beat conversations that make dialogue naturalistic.

The play follows two young gentlemen, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who use fake identities to escape social obligations and pursue romantic interests. Jack Worthing lives in the country but pretends to be “Earnest” in the city to enjoy a more carefree life. He wishes to marry Gwendolen Fairfax, who loves him mainly because she believes his name is Earnest. Algernon Moncrieff, Jack’s friend, visits Jack’s country estate using a made-up identity—posing as Jack’s fictitious brother “Earnest”—and falls in love with Cecily Cardew, Jack’s young ward. Chaos and humor ensue as identities are mistaken, secret pasts are revealed, and everyone ends up questioning who anyone really is. Sets change multiple times in the show, it’s a theatrical production, drop the curtain and when you pull it up again, everything has changed.

Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo is Gwendolen Fax

Julian Bleach is Merriman
Sharon D Cant is Lady Bracknell
Ncuti Gatwa is Algernon Moncrieff
Hugh Skinner is Jack Worthing
Eliza Scanlen is Cecily

2 hours and 50 minutes with 15 minutes interval.

Set and Costume by Rae Smith

Congratulations Max Webster and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing.

📷: Marc Brenner

Belinda Davids

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

Belinda Davids

Day 3 at the Joburg Theatre to watch the Whitney Houston tribute show. Whitney Houston is Sharon Spiegel-Wagner’s favorite artist of all time. Sharon is also born in August. Happy Birthday great man, long live antakalipa, live long!

Sam and Stew have watched this four times and they don’t rule out a fifth. Best birthday ever, I can’t conceive of anything better. I never saw Whitney, however she taught me the greatest love of all. I have made up my mind, Belinda Davids is my favorite performer of all time. Belinda Davids is Whitney Houston maybe even better, sacrilegious, I know, I don’t know what to say after watching something like that. She is truly amazing!

After the show, I followed Belinda on all her socials because I want her to stay with me forever. So in love with Belinda Davids, that voice, the technique. She is so beautiful. She is perfect. I’ve never experienced anything like that, couldn’t stop singing and clapping. The audience didn’t want the show to stop, Belinda escaped. The greatest tribute show of all time, Showtime Australia the culprits.

It was an absolutely great show, some might say the greatest tribute show of all time. Yes, she sings Whitney songs but that’s Belinda Davids! Maybe even better, sacrilegious, but she’s transcended. Belinda Davids is so amazing. Perfection. She sings for the love and not because of fame or a fleeting experience. She is simply technical excellence.

Full house, the audience enthused and excited. Some of the songs performed are: Saving all my love for you, Greatest love of all, I have nothing, I will always love you, One moment in time, My love is your love, I am every woman, So emotional, I wanna dance with somebody and other timeless classics.

This has been the best birthday of my life. Thank you to God for the 30 years. SamSays on the credits. Whitney Houston is Sharon Spiegel-Wagner’s favorite artist of all time. Sharon is also born in August.

Congratulations Showtime Australia and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

📷: SamSays

Father and I

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

Father and I

Day 2 at the Market Theatre to watch this poignant and emotionally charged play “Father and I”. A play that delves into interpersonal relationships between fathers and their offspring. It explores what it means to be a father. To have someone teach you the intracies of life, someone who inspires you and hones skills in you so you can live life with purpose and deliberately. To instill good values, to be dependable, honest and trustworthy. Care and support your family. Someone to teach you stick-fighting and being an honorable man. The stories are told in the first person, making them subjective and personal. The stories evoke nostalgia and have the performers reminiscing about simpler times. Tata taking us to Spur every month and buying me ice-cream after school. He used to be a good guy when he was younger but now we are estranged, yes, he has children all over but still. We see one of the performers regress to a childlike state recounting and reliving her memories swinging on a swing. One of the performers recounts his father’s encouragement after he had a bad night at one of his show. He is distraught and inconsolable believing his dreams are over, he even cries on stage, lines are blurred, it doesn’t feel like he is acting, it’s too real. Nido baby formula, sunlight bar and R10 is a heavy fixture in the show, something the father’s did for a while, then gone boys.

‘Father & I’ uses personal stories, dance, song and music to explore the relationships between South African fathers and their children. As an interdisciplinary work, it combines song, dance, music and personal testimony to create a theatrical experience aimed at acknowledging the complexity and beauty of fatherly relationships, with all its imperfections.

Great show, meaningful, executed with care and attention. The performers inhabit the stories they tell, they have personality and charisma. They have hopes and dreams. They have an understanding for life.

Sunnyboy Motau provides the choreography
Music by Bongile Lecoge–Zulu and Matthew MacFarlane.

The actors/performers
Lesego Dihemo
Sbusiso Gumede
Wesley Hlongwane
Afrikamabiyase Ziqubu
Lucracia Magoro
Lumka Dumezweni
Thabang Chauke
Sindisiwe Mjali
Xhamla Samsam
Wenziweyinkosi Myeni

Congratulations Greg Homann and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

La Bella

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

La Bella

Day 1 of my birthday weekend at The Cirk to watch “La Bella – I am a woman”. Big weekend, you have to start strong!

I can’t imagine anything better than The Cirk to kick-start the festivities. It didn’t disappoint. All female cast, so many beautiful, literally perfect ladies on the stage. God’s glory, perfect bodies, beauty incomprehensible. The show beams sexuality. It is sultry, passionate and sexy – to reference Beyonce, oh so bootylicious. Costumes: underwear, lingerie and poles to dance for you.

The female form is a thing of beauty, it is art. When it stretches and bends like elastic, it is awe-inspiring. It stimulates your imagination, it’s suggestive, it makes you day-dream with your eyes wide awake. It’s so difficult to keep your eyes off the ladies on the stage, they are captivating and embody the spirit of femininity. Nothing exists besides them, beauty and talent like that doesn’t negotiate. They are liberated and embrace their sexuality. There’s singing, dancing and a violinist who is absolutely mezmarrizing. Silks, splits, cages that hover in the air and aerialists doing the impossible are a given. They spin in the air like tops, stretch and hang by their legs in the air in a manner that makes your heart drop. Done with a smile to indicate it’s all in a days work. Typical Cirk at their typical best.

I usually have reservations about calling August ladies month because I was born in August and I am a serious man, but after a show like that, sure you can have it. I have no problem with you ladies, it’s your month. I took a picture with the all female cast after the show and you can see the happiness on my face. I’ve never been that happy, ever!

Congratulations to The Cirk for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

STAR LINE

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

STAR LINE

Chance the Rapper is back! Thank you for coming back to us Lil Chano. Sometimes you lose your best just so you can come back even stronger. A heck of a redemption arc, you were phenomenal since #10 Day, Acid Rap, Surf and Coloring Book but then the big day came and you flopped spectacularly. Awful album, “I love my wife, I love my wife”, you became corny, you became a meme. The big day became ironic and somehow spoiled your previous work. You spiraled out of control and your wife divorced you. You receded into the darkness, you were never heard off again. A lot of fans were disappointed in the big day but I never lost faith, you still won 3 Grammy’s independent, talent like that doesn’t just fall into obscurity. So what she left? Move forward, life goes on, some of us have been here since #10 Day.

Having Chance the Rapper at 30 is such a blessing. No one in the mainstream raps anymore, he was never mainstream, he fills the gap. Whitney Houston just came into my life and taught me the greatest love of all. Sometimes you lose your best just so you can come back even stronger.

Words and poetry are the foundation, they are everything; structure, cadence, rhymes, metaphors, similies, puns and punchlines. The beats, melodies, choir and general production serve as supporting cast members. They enhance and make better the poetry. The album is cohesive and structured, undoubtedly Chance at his best. Still unattached, unsigned and the “3” on his head. STAR LINE, when the hero comes back after adversity to redeem himself. No controversy, shock value, disrespect and tasteless clout – just words and beautiful poetry. Some of the contributors are Joey Badass, Jay Electronica and Lil Wayne. My favorite song is “High and the Lows”. It was released in 2022. I loved it back then too. That’s when I believed in Chance’s redemption arc. When I saw the tracklist, I was elated. Fantastic visuals, art, boats, words, poetry, infectious beat, spellbinding hook, the “3” on Chance’s head and Joey Badass. STAR LINE, Thank you for coming back to us Lil Chano. Sometimes you lose your best just so you can come back even stronger.

I choose antakalipa

/ antakalipa / Leave a comment

I choose antakalipa

I know aligning and associating with me is difficult. I represent everything repressed and unconscious. I am vulgar, explicit and at times offensive. My words have a lot of salt and can cut deep. It’s my sense of humor, it’s all wrong and I put bad guys on a pedestal. I understand why the industry recoils, I understand why anybody would  recoil. I challenge and dare you to look! I represent humanity’s darkside and repressions. Let’s be real, if I had a prominent seat I’d probably get cancelled. Oh yes, I am the cancelled type. Regardless, it’s my perspective and these are the stories I want to tell. I don’t want to be cool, I don’t want to be anyone’s role model, I just want to be. For me being the consciousness of culture entails telling stories in my own voice even if it makes people uncomfortable, angry or otherwise. So I am at a crossroads, try to appease the industry and hope they will accept me despite the fact that I am a long shot or carry on being the controversial, undesirable “antakalipa”. I really like “antakalipa”. I am going to choose “antakalipa” – consciously. It’s okay, the industry can turn their backs on me, I understand. Maybe I won’t be rich, maybe I won’t collaborate with industry greats, maybe I won’t get the resources, maybe I will be shunned, maybe I won’t amount to much, but I will tell my stories, I will share my perspective. I choose me and my controversial take. I choose antakalipa. I am already a long shot, I am already an underdog, I came this far, I have to carry on, I bet on myself despite everything, even if it prolongs the journey, even if I don’t succeed, I choose antakalipa. Love me or leave me alone, I am not changing for anybody. Don’t do me any favors, you can leave if you want to. I choose antakalipa.