Jungle fun for families at KKNK

Muizenberg’s Jungle Theatre Company is taking two family productions to the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees this April – their first visit to the Oudtshoorn based arts festival, thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, ABSA KKNK and National Arts Council.

Vallende Maan, directed by Jaqueline Dommisse, is a compelling, adventurous romp through the Karoo with a delightful team of misfits, trying to find their way in the world. They face one tremendous and seemingly insurmountable problem: the moon has fallen out of the sky. What is to be done about it? Who will decide the moon’s fate? Whose opinion matters more in making important decisions – the voice of science and reason or the voice of business and economics? And what of imagination and creativity? Is any one person’s perspective more important than another’s? The three characters set off on a quest to solve this problem with the help of the audience, who not only create the  environment for the narrative, but who ultimately help them find a solution.

Based on a script originally devised by the cast and director in 2007, Vallende Maan resonates with topical issues of the Karoo and its inhabitants, particularly companies seeking to tap natural resources of this delicate and beautiful environment. Firmly rooted in a story telling idiom, the play has been translated into Afrikaans with isiXhosa, the production sees the casting of Laduma Jungle graduates Candice Waries and Stacey Francke alongside Unathi Speelman and Artistic Director Vincent Meyburgh who said: “For some years now Jungle Theatre Company has been touring the Cape Flats with plays that bring together English, Xhosa and Afrikaans. Our Afrikaans has slowly grown over time. However, we have never presented a show at the KKNK. With Vallende Maan we have explored Afrikaans and the cultural landscape of the Klein Karoo in its various forms through three very different characters. We are looking forward to taking part in this festival of our unique and growing language.”

Vallende Maan is on at the Queen’s Mall Amfiteater: at 14h00 on Monday 2 April, 09h00 on Tuesday 3 April and 12h00 on Wednesday 4 April. Tickets are R50 and can be booked through Computicket.

Metamorphosis, an outdoor spectacle on stilts is a story of a neglected and pained child who experiences the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Hiding in a tree house and crying herself to sleep, the child dreams about the sounds of her garden, which turn into music. She dreams of two old giant butterflies dancing a dance of love. The male catches the pregnant female’s eggs and hangs them on a leaf where they hatch and grow into giant caterpillars. A hungry black crow is hunting and the haunted girl wakes up inside her dream to challenge the predator and protect the miracle of life. Accompanied by powerful drumming, this street theatre piece speaks to the beginnings of Jungle Theatre Company, which grew out of performances at street festivals and events back in 1995. Metamorphosis also speaks to Jungle Theatre Company’s goal of being universally accessible and director Vincent Meyburgh takes communication beyond the spoken word, into visual communication and soundscapes to tell a story that resonates with all.

Metamorphosis is the creation of Jungle Theatre Company’s Laduma Jungle team Cebisa Fubesi; Siyawandisa Badi; Vuyolwethu Stuurman; Candice Waries; Stacey Francke; Athenkosi Dyantyi; Nokubonga Jita and Seyiso Qhola. Experiencing life imitating art, this is the team’s first performance at a national festival as professional actors.

Catch the Metamorphosis characters in the Klein Karoo Festival Parades at 17h00 on Sunday 1 April from Vrede Street and at 10h00 on Monday 2 April from Bongulethu Police Station. The full performance is on at the Pendeldiens Grasperk on the corner of Voortrekker Road and Baron van Reede at 13h00 on Tuesday 3 April; 16h00 on Wednesday 4 April and 10h00 Thursday 5 April.

Jungle Theatre Company presents Metamorphosis – Street Theatre in Vrygrond and Observatory as part of Family Season.

Performances: Saturday 24 March @ 10h00 at Capricorn Primary School, Vrygrond and @ 16h00 at Kids Park, Corner Station and Arnold Road, in Observatory

Thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Muizenberg’s Jungle Theatre Company presents Metamorphosis, a surreal outdoor performance of characters who dance a story of a neglected and pained child who experiences the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Metamorphosis is an outdoor spectacle on stilts; with powerful drumming and great costumes on 24 March as part of Family Season.

Hiding in a tree house and crying herself to sleep, the child dreams about the sounds of her garden, which turn into music. She dreams of two old giant butterflies dancing a dance of love. The male catches the pregnant female’s eggs and hangs them on a leaf where they hatch and grow into giant caterpillars. A hungry black crow is hunting and the haunted girl wakes up inside her dream to challenge the predator and protect the miracle of life.

Metamorphosis is the creation of Jungle Theatre Company’s (JTC) Laduma Jungle team and was developed as the final part of a National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund funded trained programme. Directed by JTC’s Artistic Director Vincent Meyburgh and Designer Monique Fagan of Junkanew, Metamorphosis fosters a close link of the actors own stories and experience to the theme of big transformation.

A street theatre piece, Metamorphosis speaks to the beginnings of Jungle Theatre Company, which grew out of performances at street festivals and events back in 1995. Metamorphosis also speaks to JTC’s goal of being universally accessible, with the view of building multicultural audiences to reach and communicate with all people. With Metamorphosis, Vincent Meyburgh takes communication beyond the spoken word, into visual communication and soundscapes to tell a story that resonates with all.

Starring: Cebisa Fubesi; Siyawandisa Badi; Vuyolwethu Stuurman; Candice Waries; Stacey Francke; Athenkosi Dyantyi; Nokubonga Jita and Seyiso Qhola.

Donations welcome at the performance at Capricorn Primary, Vrygrond; suggested donation for Observatory performance R40 adults and R20 for children under 12.

For more information contact Miranda Tait on 021 788 5461 or email info@jungletheatre.co.za and via Theatre Arts Admin Collective on 021 447 3683 and Assitej SA on 021 822 0070.

A story of two characters that are on a quest to become like whales, The Whale Show is based on Heathcote Williams’ ‘Whale Nation’. The wondering whale watchers swirl the audience into a fantastic high-energy adventure juggling to catch food, bubbling under-water music, receiving e-whales from a giant puppet called Wanda. They discover that the ocean is under threat and get everybody involved in taking care of the sea and saving our whales. Don’t miss this amazing whale tale for families with children age 6 and over.

The Whale Show is one of many environmentally themed plays written and produced by Jungle Theatre Company, which uses original children’s and family theatre as a vehicle for environmental social and cultural education. After a three year hiatus The Whale Show returned to the stage last year with a successful run at Kalk Bay Theatre and Out The Box festival, thanks to the support of L & S Chiappini Charitable Trust and Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation

Catch The Whale Show at Oude Libertas, Stellenbosch on Saturday 25 February at 10h00

Tickets are only R30 and are available from the Ticket Office on the day. For more information please contact Oude Libertas on 021 809 7380.

Starring: Unathi Speelman and Vincent Meyburgh

Jungle Theatre Company presents River of Life on Saturday 28 January @ 10h00 at Oude Libertas (corner of Adam Tas and Oude Libertas Roads), Stellenbosch, thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

River Of Life is an African fairy tale about a rural tribe and a special princess, who live by a beautiful river full of magical creatures. A glittering dancing trader comes from the city to sell the villagers strange items that cause problems for the river. The princess goes on an adventure through a parched desert an enchanted forest and up a mighty mountain. She learns to speak the language of the river creatures in order to save the river for all. Tickets are R30 at the door. For more information, please call Oude Libertas on 021 809 7380.

Jungle Theatre Company’s Metamorphosis – Street Theatre in Muizenberg

Performance Dates & Times: Thursday 8 December at 4pm, Friday 9 December at 4pm, Saturday 10 December at 10am

Venue: Grass by Muizenberg Pavilion Pools

 Thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Jungle Theatre Company presents Metamorphosis, a surreal outdoor performance of characters who dance a story of a neglected and pained child who experiences the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, on stilts with powerful drumming and spectacular costumes on Thursday 8 December at 4pm; Friday 9 December at 4pm; Saturday 10 December at 10am at the Grass Terrace on Muizenberg Main Beach (next to the Pavilion).

Hiding in a tree house and crying herself to sleep, the child dreams about the sounds of her garden, which turn into music. She dreams of two old giant butterflies dancing a dance of love. The male catches the pregnant female’s eggs and hangs them on a leaf where they hatch and grow into giant caterpillars. A hungry black crow is hunting and the haunted girl wakes up inside her dream to challenge the predator and protect the miracle of life.

Metamorphosis is the creation of Jungle Theatre Company’s (JTC) Laduma Jungle team and being developed as the final part of a National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund funded trained programme. Directed by JTC’s Artistic Director Vincent Meyburgh and Designer Monique Fagan of Junkanew, the Laduma Jungle team are presently in a creative process which involves developing a narrative, creating music, choreographing dance, designing building and making props and costumes. Through the actors’ involvement in choreography, writing, composing, designing and making, Meyburgh is fostering a closer link between the actors’ experience, characters’ stories, the music and creation of images.

Collectively the team are developing non-verbal; visual and musical outdoor theatre skills and linking the theme of Metamorphosis to the actor’s personal stories of suffering and big transformation. They are investing the creative process with real life experience, finding how these stories relate to each, finding common human connections to the theme and telling a universal story accessible to all ages and cultures.

A free street theatre piece, Metamorphosis speaks to the beginnings of Jungle Theatre Company, which grew out of performances at street festivals and events back in 1995. Metamorphosis also speaks to JTC’s goal of being universally accessible, with the view of building multicultural audiences to reach and communicate with all people. With Metamorphosis, Vincent Meyburgh is taking communication beyond the spoken word, moving into visual communication and soundscapes to tell a story that resonates with all.

Starring:  Cebisa Fubesi; Siyawandisa Badi; Vuyolwethu Stuurman; Candice Waries; Stacey Francke; Athenkosi Dyantyi; Nokubonga Jita and Seyiso Qhola.

For more information contact Miranda Tait on 021 788 5461 or email info@jungletheatre.co.za

A story of two characters that are on a quest to become like whales, The Whale Show is based on Heathcote Williams’ ‘Whale Nation’. The wondering whale watchers swirl the audience into a fantastic high-energy adventure juggling to catch food, bubbling under-water music, receiving e-whales from a giant puppet called Wanda. They discover that the ocean is under threat and get everybody involved in taking care of the sea and saving our whales. Don’t miss this amazing whale tale for families with children age 6 and over.

The Whale Show is one of many environmentally themed plays written and produced by Cape Town’s Jungle Theatre Company, which uses original children’s and family theatre as a vehicle for environmental social and cultural education. After a three year hiatus The Whale Show returned to the stage this year with a successful run at Kalk Bay Theatre.

The Whale Show at Out The Box festival is funded by the L & S Chiappini Charitable Trust and Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation

Catch The Whale Show on the Observatory Arts for a Sustainable Earth Hub at The Magnet, Old Match Factory, corner St Michaels’ and Lower Main Road, Observatory on:

Sunday 4th September @10h30;
Monday 5th September @ 11h30;
Wednesday 7th September @ 16h00 and Sunday 11 September @ 14h00.

Tickets are priced R50 for adults/ R40 children under 12 and concessions. Block bookings are also available.

To make a school booking contact: Tahirih Cook (OTB Family Festival Manager)

0848734711 or schools@unimasouthafrica.org – general public please book through Computicket – 0861 915 8000.

“A clever, energetic and well-paced frolic with two talented whale watchers. Engages children and adults with worthy message.” Cue newspaper 2006.

“Brilliant exposition of the power of theatre. Full gamut of emotions from reflection to joy, spontaneity and ribald humour.” The Herald 2008

“Energetic and cleverly crafted, containing powerful pertinent messages.” Knysna News 2008