A Dog’s Life
An exploration of the lives of pets in urban communities, through a story about a homeless dog and a lonely homeless boy. Their struggle to survive in the city sees them tackle many obstacles and make important life choices. The story is told through the eyes of the dog Wafi, with innovative puppetry, beautiful singing and audience participation.
A Dog’s Life broaches the specific needs of domestic animals in terms of their day-to-day care through dance and tri-lingual song. The play delivers important messages about the practical aspects of animal welfare.
A Dog’s Life is 45 minutes long and suitable for Grades 4-7
An accompanying drama skills workshop is also available.
“This is the one of best shows I have seen! It was informative, creative and entertaining, a wonderful way of getting the children aware of all the abandoned or cruelly treated pets out there that need our help.” Fish Hoek Primary School
As a response to increasing concerns about the plight of urban domestic animals, Jungle Theatre Company developed A Dog’s Life which was adopted by International Fund for Animal Welfare as part of their Companion Animal Programme and was rolled out as a twinnings intervention at the Baxter Theatre in 2006 – 2008 and toured communities in Soweto in 2007 and 2008. Recast in 2010 with 6 Laduma Jungle trainees A Dog’s Life was performed in 2010 Mdzananda Animal Clinic, Camp Footprints and other community events.
Currently starring:
Siyawandisa Badi, Cebisa Fubesi, Nokubonga Jita, Athenkosi Dyanti, Seyiso Qhola and Vuyolwethu Stuurman.
Funders:
City of Cape Town Environmental Resource Management Department (YES)
Constantia Rotary
HCI Foundation
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Seardel Investment Corporation Ltd
Pierhead Rotary
Western Cape Cultural Commission
Moya The Air We Breathe
Moya is a young rising soccer star, his goal scoring record has made him a hero in his township. He has an asthma attack during training and ends up in hospital, where Moya has a nightmare about a Death Monster who feeds on smoke and pollution. Unable to play soccer, Moya is dropped from his team and loses the affections of his bling-bling girlfriend. Determined to find out the causes of his misfortune, Moya embarks on a journey of discovery into the causes of air pollution and the threat of climate change. He finds ways to heal himself and his environment and destroys the Death Monster.
Moya meets different characters who give him advice and information. He confronts industrial giants and meets the municipal air quality management team and finds out about local by-laws. With a new outlook on life he finds a new sustainable lifestyle.
Moya – The Air We Breathe is 45 minutes in duration and is suitable for Grades 8-12
An accompanying drama skills workshop of 45 minutes is also available.
“Learners often take in a lot more information when material is presented dramatically and/or is multisensory. Use of drama in education is an excellent way to make important points, especially about social and environmental issues. We need more of this sort of input in schools.” Muizenberg High
Moya – The Air We Breathe was developed for a high school audience for the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Resource Management Department and was performed at 10 high schools for Air Quality Week in February 2008. Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning commissioned a reduced version for their 2 Precious 2 Pollute Campaign in 2010.
Currently starring:
Unathi Speelman, Nelson Chileshe Musonda, Mfundo Hashe and Ntombifuthi Mkhasibe.
Funders:
City of Cape Town Environmental Resource Management Department (YES)
Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
Rubbish Wrap
Rubbish Wrap uses waste as a resource for the imagination. A talking tree’s leaves make homes for worms. A bottle top shark sings “Free the Sea!!” A magical musical recycling machine lets some surprises emerge at the other end.
Rubbish Wrap is a play about the creation and cycle of waste and the transfer of energy in nature’s own recycling system from one organism to another through the food chain. It contrasts the chain of consumption from raw materials to the dump sites of the industrialised world. The play enables learners to break the consumption and waste cycle through participation, fostering efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Rubbish Wrap is 45 minutes in duration and is suitable for Grades 4-9
“The show was very educational and what they [learners] learnt today they will be able to use at school and at home.” St. Louis Primary School
Jungle Theatre Company was commissioned by City of Cape Town Environmental Resource Management Department to create a short 20 min play to complement the waste chapter in The Smart Living Handbook in 2008. Rubbish Wrap was toured to schools as part of the Youth Environmental Schools’ (YES) Waste Wise Week in 2008 and 2009 and was accompanied by a 45 minute workshop. For the YES Blue Flag beach programme in March 2009, which focussed on marine and coastal pollution, the play and workshop were combined in a 45 minute interactive play and returned to the Blue Flag campaign in 2011.
Currently starring:
Unathi Speelman; Mfundo Hashe and Vincent Meyburgh.
Funders:
City of Cape Town Environmental Resource Management Department (YES)
NOW Project
