Female theatre director gets standing ovation
ALEXANDRA - The Olive Tree Theatre last week, concluded yet another of its successful flagship women's theatre festival for the fourth year running.
Last week, the Olive Tree Theatre concluded yet another of its successful flagship programmes, the Women’s Theatre Festival, for the fourth year running.
Jessica Ndaba, theatre co-ordinator, said the four-day event was well received by a capacity crowd of theatre lovers eager to witness creative productions of young and upcoming directors, whom she said didn’t disappoint. The five all-female directors Lihle Dhlomo, Katlego Mogola, Pamella Mketshe, Chuma Mapoma and Gcebile Dlamini were complemented by experienced New York-based director, Rebecca Lynn David.
“The five’s plays had the crowd marvelling at their raw creativity and talent which needs to be nursed to ensure they are not frustrated by a lack of exposure. Their plays Last Cow Standing by Dhlomo; Food for the Soul by Mogola; Isiko Lam by Mketshe; Womyn by Mapoma; and Nomzamo by Dlamini all stand a chance to feature at mainstream State, Joburg and Market theatres as well as the Soweto Theatre, a popular township counterpart of Olive Tree,” said Ndaba.
She also said the event reflected the theatre’s positive growth, development and consolidation as an entertainment venue of choice.
“The plays were powerful, the supporting music excellent, and the ambience, food and decor were superb. The dampener was the low attendance by local residents who missed out on the abundant entertainment in their own backyard,” she chuckled.
Ndaba attributed this to Alex residents’ prevailing view of theatre as a foreign concept, unaware that it was the main mirror of their cultures, quality of life and people.
“We churn out productions that are comparable to anywhere else using local talent which the residents should be proud of and come in in numbers to cheer, as they reflect local capabilities,” Ndaba said.
The audience gave a standing ovation to theatre founder, Ntsieng Mokgoro in acknowledgement of her creativity and resilience in keeping the theatre open.
In attendance were theatre luminaries including Alex-born Prof. Mongane Serote and Selaelo Maredi, sports personality Sylvester Ndaba, government officials and sponsors.
John Warner of the USA consulate expressed interest in a long-term partnership to support the theatre’s contribution to cultural exchange as well as generating employment.
