ACCEPTED is there are people blessed with greater capacity to learn life’s skills than others, there isn’t such a thing as “having no brains.” This phrase is often disparagingly used by older people when a young person fails to grasp some concept or another. Yet, everyone has approximately 1.5 kilograms of the brain’s soft nervous tissue tucked safely and neatly into their skull. It is from there that this remarkable organ commands and controls every aspect of our being.
Yet despite neurological studies failing to confirm the left-brain versus right-brain theory, since the 1960’s popular culture has believed, logical, methodical and analytical people are “left-brain dominant.” While creative and artistic types are “right-brain dominant,” with the right- brain generally less utilized than the left.
Myth or not, Tracey Carter has based her AfriCan Children’s Theatre on this hypothesis. Her teaching methodology is primed to develop right-brain artistic qualities. To this end, since 2001, she’s been presenting musical theatre shows she composes, directs and choreographs.
Said Carter “naturally as our performers are school children - from six years upwards – our productions are aimed at attracting school going audiences (parents and grandparents welcome) therefore we only perform during term breaks. We also don’t present our stories at a single venue. In order to fulfil our mandate to reach different communities, we make use of various theatres/halls around the peninsula. These winter holidays, our show Heart of the Jungle showcases in The Masque Theatre foyer. We are there from July 12 to 15 at 12pm.”
This delightful little theatre attracts scholars from Muizenberg, to Ocean View, Bergvliet, Kommetjie and Fish Hoek.”
What is the show about? “Briefly, it is set in a fantasy jungle world where colourful villagers live headed by King Sambi (Romeo Malo). Two sisters Lola (Mia Arendse) and Fishe (Jada Geldenhuys) have built their relationship around Fishe’s love for adventure and her quest to find the secret of happiness. When they meet the kindly mythical figure Kiki (Tamia Geldenhuys) she hands them a map to the Blue Mountain telling them happiness will be found when they look into a stream. Joined by King Sambi, Fishe starts her journey. Problems arise when they meet the wild Gazamgo tribe, but when the stream is found they learn where true happiness lies. Our brightly coloured costumes are peppered by imaginative animal designs. As are our exotic jungle sets.”
Carter bases her choreography on natural movement such as step hops, jumps, skips and runs. The young singing voices sound unstrained and speech is well articulated. As with many organisations, funds are hard to access. However, a partnership with the Cape Town Carnival helps with costumes. Sets and other costs are met by the R250 pm fee regular AfriCan members pay for weekly tuition - their gateway to stage experiences. Carter’s writes scripts as diverse as a Toy shop, Outer Space and Get the Colour Right– a piece touching in on the heritage of Cape Town. Carter’s adult team recently enjoyed presenting Who Did It?, a fantasy murder.
AfriCan’s board comprises Director Carter, her brother Matthew Murray is creative director, her husband Jason Carter is project manager. This project follows the footsteps of their late father Ian Murray who, noticing gaps in artistic education, 18 years ago founded the Youth Revival International movement to build up right-brain artistic qualities.
Drawing from 13 high schools between Simonstown and Bellville, in September, AfriCon will co-ordinate a Drama Festival at the Baxter. Projects that keep children busy and give them theatrical experience are always applauded.
l 021 788 69999