Walk and talk and eat art
JOBURG - Born in Soweto and having moved around the country, poet, writer, director, producer and playwright, Napo Masheane, has returned to Johannesburg to tell her stories on stage.
Masheane, the founder of Village Gossip Productions, has come a long way since her days of living at the hub of entertainment in Hillbrow with her aunt.
Living in the bustling city, she was surrounded by a number of artists, musicians and actors who had travelled the world for their profession. This led to her extended interest in the media and arts as a scholar.
“It happened by divine intervention,” Masheane explained.
“I was the editor of the school magazine in high school and I’ve always liked writing and reading. I suppose that being surrounded by artists and creative people made me fall in love with the theatre.
“I realised I had two voices. That of a storyteller, but also a writer.”
She decided to establish her production company so that she could tell the stories that were closest to her heart – for people who love theatre, and those who don’t.
Inspired by the people she had seen growing up, Masheane wanted to tell the untold stories of her friends, family and acquaintances.
“Inspiration [for her latest work A New Song] for me was my two grandmothers who were domestic workers in the 50s.
“Even though they were not Mandelas, Sisulus or Tambos, they were still politically active and contributed to our freedom today.”
Her company does not only create theatre productions but also empowers young up-and-coming artists by teaching them the legal side of the business as well as the creative side.
“I’m a theatre-maker. I love telling African stories. I just want to walk and talk and eat art.”
Details: Village Gossip Productions on Facebook
