Is being GAY just about SEX? Really!

The Witwatersrand School of Arts was proud to host their annual Wits Pride from the 27^th September – 01^st October. The Witsies usually celebrate sexual diversity a week prior to the Joburg Pride, which is bigger and inclusive of the entire Gauteng.

The school had a variety of events being showcased during this period. The events included a ‘Gay Wedding”, between two men, which took place in front of the Great Hall in the presence of a large number of students (straight and gay), including a few Wits officials.

Wits Gay Parade

Amongst the many shows and exhibitions which were happening at Wits, was a performance directed by Warren Nebe, FUCK ME QUEER.  Let me attempt to paint a picture of this show for you:

I walked in through the door from University Corner, heading to the 16^th floor as the show was not held at a normal theatre. As I walk inside the door, I am confronted by a tall young boy with high heeled shoes, wearing almost close to nothing. I ignore the boy, as I am a bit shocked.  The youngster attempts what seemed to be a greeting, but I also ignore and fast-forward my walk to the elevator.

The lift seemed as if it was waiting upon my arrival since there was a female in the door, who is also wearing fewer clothes with over done make up on her face. I ask to pass through she tells me to “wait, it’s not yet my turn”. I wait. She finally lets me in and I get inside the lift, to be yet again confronted by a guy in a suit, caring a bible in his hand. The chap starts crying “it’s a sin! God made Adam and Eve not Adam and Adam”. I am confused at this time and can’t wait to get to the 16^th floor and watch the show.

The red button in the elevator strikes 16, and to my delight I exit.

It is dark, there are people dressed as prostitutes standing outside. I take a moment to look around if I’m lost and suddenly, I am grabbed by this big muscled white boy, wearing nothing but, his very tiny underwear. Stunned as I am, I walk with him through a butler door and he whispers in my ear, “welcome to the show”.

There are eleven doors, each with a show of its own. I choose a door and there is a female dressed in black. She begins sharing her story about kissing a girl and not knowing she was a homosexual and the tragedies of living a lie thereafter. Upon her completion, she asks me and other viewers to share our first kiss memories by writing on the wall.  

Lady Gaga

At this time I am aware of the concept behind the show but, not sure if it meets my expectations of “Fuck me Queer”.  There are sex sounds on the corridor, guys kissing guys, girls indulging on each other’s breast, more like a brothel.  I go through each door, as encouraged by the “clothe less people” and outrageous acts I witness. One door had a muscled  man in an act of  masturbation , another with a slightly “chubby” young woman  helping herself with a rubber penis, another door with two guys making  out while the audience watches, a door with a video installation of individuals sharing their stories about homosexuality, a woman dressed in white, telling a narrative of how she lost her female lover, drags dancing to Lady Gaga’s music, a room with bible scriptures on the wall and the viewer has to share his or her feelings and I think you sort of get the picture of the other doors by now. Basically the show was a, portrayal of the challenges, experiences and diversities of a homosexual life.

Lady Gaga in her element

The last door stood out for me as it had the same chap with a bible in the elevator, only now assisting the audience in confessing their sins (derived from the show. I forgot to mention that, they give you condoms as you walk inside the venue). While the audience confesses, if any, the chap has what seemed like a female character under the table, helping him sexually. With the risk of being graphic, I will not mention the kind of help.

Now, my motive for writing about this show is not to critique or inform you about it but, more to pose a few questions.

 Do you guys think that, this is the right way of educating people about homosexuality? Is there a need to involve sex and promiscuity when portraying homosexuality? What value do you think such a production has to the South African Theatre Industry? What are your views on Warren Nebe, the director?

I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. Drop me a comment, let’s work this out.

Glitz and Glamour with the South Africa Ballet Theatre

The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT), (which is the largest professional ballet company) in association with the SA State Theatre is proud to announce the upcoming season of the world’s favourite holiday – season ballet, The Nutcracker.  

This season of only 23 shows, presented on the Opera Stage at the South Africa State Theatre, will open on Friday Neovember 19^th and end on December 19^th 2010.

The ballet tells a story of a young girl, Clara who receives a nutcracker doll at a Christmas party. The doll comes to life and turns into a handsome prince, who takes her on a magic journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets, home of Sugar Plum Fairy and the Land of Snow.

Pointe Shoes

This show appeals to all audiences, young and old with passionate storytelling to last the viewer the entire year.

Tickets for The Nutcracker range just R40 – R240. Bookings can be made through Computicket or at the SABT’s offices on 011 877 6898 or e-mail admin@saballettheatre.co.za

A special public holiday performance takes place @ 15h00 on Thursday, 16 December with tickets priced from 40 – R80.

Word-artsa and the SABT would like to offer you a chance to witness this feel good ballet phenomenon by giving away:

Ø  2 tickets for the opening night valued @ R240

Ø  An autographed pointe shoes

Ø  A 2010 SABT commemorative calendar

Answer this simple question: Which is the country’s largest professional ballet company?

Drop your answers as comments or send an e-mail to s.mposula@gmail.com

Experience quality, glamour, escapism and magic with the South African Ballet Theatre.

MAMMA MIA! THE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN

I went to watch Mamma Mia! @ The Teatro in Monte Casino this week and, I thought I should share with you on what other critiques thought of the show. Check their views underneath:




Donna and the Dynamos

 

You will leave this show with your spirits lifted - and proud of the quality of our local talent. Marianne Thamm, Sunday Times

Dié keer spog Mamma Mia! met ’n volle Suid-Afrikaanse rolverdeling en hulle skitter sonder uitsondering. Marina Griebenow, Die Burger

The first few seconds of songs get ovations, hammering home the strong appeal of this jukebox musical. The encore is a rocket that shoots the audience into the night.        Zane Henry, Argus Tonight

MAMMA MIA! A smash hit musical, featuring an all-South African cast and band opened at The Teatro at Monte casino on Saturday, 02 October 2010.  MAMMA MIA! is tuneful entertainment for the whole family. Its broad appeal to audiences of all ages guarantees everyone at every performance will be “having the time of their lives”.

Inspired by the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs including “Dancing Queen”; “The Winner Takes It All”; “Money, Money, Money” and “Take A Chance on Me” are all featured in this feel-good night of fun and laughter.








This show will be running till November 30^th, at The Teatro, Monte Casino. There are no shows on Mondays, only on Tues and Friday @ 20h00.

Book at Computicket by calling 083 915 8000, visit http://www.computicket.com/ or visit your nearest Computicket outlet. Keep up to date with MAMMA MIA! on Face book http://www.facebook.com/MammaMiaMusical  and Twitter http://twitter.com/MammaMiaMusical  or visit www.mammamiasa.co.za. Monte casino box office (011) 5107365.

Don’t miss this show; it’s a 10/10 without an uncertainty!

So you think you can dance - SABC destroys pleasurable viewing.

On Saturday 25^th of September 2010, I found myself attempting to watch  the “theoretically” meant to be a talent show, So you think you can dance, which has turned into one of the most nepotistic, tactless and for me, tedious shows on South African television. Read the “So you think you can dance” article post to find out more.

This critique is not so much on the show but, on the show’s broadcaster, SABC. I am a huge devotee of dance, from classical, traditional to contemporary street dance.





Now, as I was watching, the show felt more and more like a soccer match between Alexandra F.C. and Soweto Football Club. The camera was ceaselessly on a bird’s eye view, which made the whole experience unpleasant and baffling.  The second performance by Lulu and Darren, an Afro –Fusion dance work, choreographed by Thabiso  Lebuka (last year’s second place winner and former African Footprint member) was aimed to be a splendid performance to be experienced by both the live audience and the viewers at home however, the SABC did not see it that way, by their awful lighting and constant aerial shots for only two dancers.

Lulu Mlangeni

The performers were wearing white costumes which should determine the kind of lighting to use for such a showcase. There were only two of them on stage, which should determine the type of camera angles for usage because,  dreadful television techniques equals to bad viewing, which damages any expected enjoyment from a television experience.  The viewers were refused an opportunity of watching the dancer’s body movements, technique and flair. The only thing they saw was the dancer’s heads moving up and downstage with no readable dance text. And, at the end of the show, they’re expected to spend on airtime costs by voting for their week’s favorite.

Not only was the mentioned above my concerns but, the music cueing was not on time, the microphone’s volume was high and low (if not early or late), as if a group of three year olds were in control. This was noticeable as Didi Moses, one of the judges was commenting on Ashley and Shelly’s Jazz act, and when the music (Maxwell – Pretty wings number) was wrongly cued just before Lulu and Darren’s piece.

Consequently my subject is, “Why employ people with no expertise or know how in television, especially who will be dealing with such a huge show? What impact does that have in our arts and television? Who is at fault and how can we improve?

Lulu Mlangeni and Dada Masilo

This is an embarrassment to the entire world.  So you think you can dance is a franchise show, which has a shared mannerism with other similar international franchises. Other countries have mastered impressive delivery and broadcasting of the show and we’re still rambling behind.

With this being mentioned, I think the SABC ruins good and enjoyable television viewing and watching any show of such aptitude, as I did on SABC, is a total dissatisfaction.

WORD - ARTSA: Rebel Positively

WORD - ARTSA: Rebel Positively: "CONVERSE PARTY @ Arts on MainThe most boring thing with South African celebrity events is, seeing the same faces all the time. I personally ..."

Rebel Positively

CONVERSE PARTY @ Arts on Main

The most boring thing with South African celebrity events is, seeing the same faces all the time. I personally get annoyed and disinterested, except if it’s Bonang Matheba.  For some reason, she always looks different and understands the vitality of IMAGE as a public figure.

Siyabonga Ngwekazi and Slikor

I recently went to the Converse party which was held at Arts on Main, downtown JHB, which turned out to be one of the craziest, fun and congenial party for me so far.  There were a few popular names, such as Mika Stefano (who was wearing that terrible many color Vitamin Water scarf, talk about being a brand representative), Siyabonga Ngwekazi, Slikor (with his zero taste in clothing), Sade Girlibeti, The Cream Cartel Crew… to mention just a few, really.

Converse had three parties happening at once, in Durban, Joburg and Cape Town. They themed them as the Converse Optimistic Rebels Party, following their visual arts website aimed at expanding the way people see art, creating diversity and spank into the visual arts.

Slikor and Mika Stafano

The venue in JHB was well selected, after the cancellation from hosting the event at The Lighthouse. Arts on Main has a creative sensation, which made the party more banging, as one was inspired and entertained at the same time.  Converse also accommodated everyone musically, with DJ’s such as KENT, MILKSHAKE, ROMS and HOUSEHOLD FUNK. They kept the crowd on their feet, with a multiplicity of music ensuring satisfaction from the bohemian guests. 

There’s not really much to say about this party, except that it was off the hinges and made me realize that, Converse is more than just a brand of flat sneakers and vibrant clothes but, an artistically involved trade name that aims to empower young people and assist in the development of South African arts.

Visit their website on www.converse.co.za or www.optimisticrebels.co.za to view some of the selected visual art pieces and to find out more about the brand’s involvement.

WORD - ARTSA: Your chance to become Famous

WORD - ARTSA: Your chance to become Famous: "Remember, i told you guys that, i don't ONLY focus on theatre but a bit of Lifestyle and Entertainment. So here's what i have for you, try i..."