So Solo festival gives creatives a platform to shine at the Wits Theatre
MELVILLE – So Solo festival at the Wits Theatre promises to impress audiences.
The much anticipated So Solo 2017 festival is taking place at the Wits Theatre and ends on 8 October.
Now in its fourth year, the acclaimed festival has become an annual event which depicts society.
Established by the director of Wits Theatre, Gita Pather in 2013, the festival celebrates one-person plays. Maude Sandham debuts her one-woman show called Tracks. Director Nicola Pilkington said the story is about Sandham’s grandfather’s search for meaning in the unanswered questions and unexplained events which took place in their family.
The talented director always had a keen interest in storytelling and listening to them in all forms.
“Throughout my schooling, I’ve always been involved in some form of the arts. I remember my first drama class when I was five years old. Since then it’s always been part of my life and grew with me,” said Pilkington.
Based on a true story, the talented creatives collaborated in both writing, researching and editing the story. Sandham, who is a Melville resident, is also a director and performer who specialises in physical and devised theatre.
She explains the story details of how her grandfather, who is an interesting but complicated man, kept a secret from their family for many years. She describes the theme as keeping secrets and moulding a better life for your family.
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“Something which I find fascinating about being a South African and learning history about generations is, it’s usually in the form of a textbook. There’s something unique about hearing a personal story and a family re-telling their history,” said Sandham.
Both directors have been recognised by the Naledi Theatre Awards for their outstanding work in separate projects. Pilkington was nominated for the Best Youth Play in 2016 and currently works as a manager at a trendy performing arts centre.
Sandham was nominated for Best Children’s Theatre Play last year and also did a three-month intensive course in London at the International School of Performing Arts in the same year.
For more information visit the Wits Theatre website.
Details: Wits Theatre 011 717 138, www.wits.ac.za
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