YOU’D be forgiven for having a sympathetic attitude towards performing artists with disabilities; after all, it’s the mindset that society generally imposes on us.
But African Sinakho Arts is one company which aims to change this way of thinking. Their production, In Blood, has been touring theatres across the country and will stop off in Durban soon.
Writer-director Bukelwa Cakata said the production’s cast of 80 are a mix of people with disabilities and those who are able-bodied.
“When you offer something new, most of the time they come because they want to support this effort, but when they leave, their attitudes are changed.
“Their response is ‘wow! I didn’t expect this’… and this is what we want to get across, that a disabled artist is the same as an able-bodied one. If they say they are an artist, you must expect professionalism.”
In Blood explores the theme of equality: “It stems from the colour of blood which equals us all. It is where we find common place. When we ignore all the differences, everyone bleeds red blood; whether you are disabled or not, whether you are black or white,” said Cakata.
Putting together this production took African Sinakho Arts five years. “We have incorporated able-bodies artists, and many of our performers can’t read and are uneducated.
“A number of those with disabilities were unable to go to school,” said Cakata. In some cases local schools could not accommodate their disability and sending them to boarding school was not an option for parents. “So giving them a script is not like giving an educated person a script, where you can expect to start rehearsals a week down the line.”
So it’s taken a few years to get everyone on the same page and the six-year-old company is now travelling the country, staging its first original work.
“It has been the most fulfilling thing I’ve done, watching people integrate and work with each together. Aside from the entertainment factor, we want to change people’s mindsets towards people with disability,” said Cakata.
The production is said to be a blend of original songs, traditional wedding songs, contemporary dance, drama, poetry and more.
• In Blood will be staged at the Durban Playhouse Drama Theatre from November 8 to 18. Tickets cost from R80 to R120 and R40 for group bookings.
Bookings are through Computicket.