space.com, in its quest for nurturing the talent and skills possessed by the youth, has continually evolved within the incredible world of theatre. “In the exploration of the history and power of the performing arts we have developed the love and appreciation of live entertainment which theatre provides,” says Jabu Gwebu, Community Development Manager. “This of course relates well with Joburg Theatre’s reputation of delivering outstanding live performance. We hereby present the first Green Light Fringe Theatre Arts Festival.”

The festival has the objective of showcasing the best works to come out of community theatre, which includes winning shows from two performing arts festivals; namely Action Step Up and Claim The Stage and Soul Dancer Contemporary Dance Festival, held at space.com in June this year.

They will also feature three works sourced from festivals and events outside Joburg Theatre which took place within the Johannesburg Metropolitan area.

These include:

Breathe (Musical - Afro Fusion)
Directed by: Ntsika Ngxanga
Written by: Soil

Breathing is a two way process that requires inhaling and exhaling. Breathe 'exhales' stories of life which in turn audiences “inhale” in order for the process to be complete. These stories and messages are accompanied by heavenly melodical harmonies.

With a cast of five this theatrical Kasi-Soul musical produced by Soil is made up of two acts of 35 minutes each with a 10-minute interval.

During the interval a pre-recorded audio visual clip will be screened showing the interaction of the cast as they go backstage to change and prepare for the next act.

The Fellowship Of The Farce (Musical Theatre)
Directed by: Kieran James Reid
Written by: Kieran James Reid, the Man in the Bower Hat and Adduh Whattaa Khan Score Composition: Granville Matheson

The play chronicles the attempt of Jack Peterson to stage Tolkien and the Peter Jackson masterpiece, The Fellowship of the Ring. As Jack Peterson says in his director’s note, “Tolkien was indeed a man of vision: and I am rightly proud to bring all of this to you.”

However the staging disintegrates, when the understudy is required to take on the epic and heroic telling of this tale, into as one of the actors put it, “some kind of a nightmarish theatrical version of a Dan Brown novel.” Accompanied by a twelve piece orchestra.

Expelled From Life (Theatre Drama)
Directed and written by: Ayanda Sithebe

Expelled From Life is a work about reflection and the journeys that affect life- changing decisions. The protagonist, Mr Eland, an intelligent man who does all things in detail and is inspired by poetry, learns that the man he thought to be his father is in fact his uncle. This discovery changes the way he views life and women in general. Because of this betrayal the man he called his father ends the life of his mother which in turn destroys any conscience Mr Eland might have had. He grows bitter and becomes driven to kill as though he cannot stand to see people who are happy. All his victims are linked by “Innocence, Purity and Love.”

This killing spree ends when he is arrested, put on trial and sentenced to death. In a bizarre twist we discover that the people who are responsible for ending his life are in fact the loved ones of his victims.

Ntanga (Dance contemporary)
Choreographed by: Mandla Hlatshwayo

Mandla Mngomezulu is an award winning choreographer from Soul Dancer held at space.com in June 2010. He presented his work under the Artist with Diverse abilities programme working closely with Agulhas Theatre Productions. Upon winning Soul Dancer, Mandla has created the autobiographical Elevation, accompanied by a live band and a poet, this work showcases Mandla’s journey as a choreographer.

Mara Why? (Physical Theatre)
Written and Directed by: Mphakamiswa Thondlana

Mara Why? The winning production from Action! Step Up And Claim The Stage 2010, is a somewhat dark comedy about life behind bars with each of the unforgettable characters telling the stories of the circumstances which led to their incarceration.

These shows will run concurrently at The Fringe from 5 to 18 November.

For more info, contact Jabu Gwebu on 011 877 6906 or email [email protected].