RETURNING to Durban stages this week is the disability theatre production, In Blood Musical.
Written and directed by Bukelwa Cakata and presented by African Sinakho Arts in association with the Playhouse Company, the heart-warming musical features a cast of 80 performers with various disabilities sharing the limelight with able-bodied dancers.
Funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, In Blood Musical centres on Duduzile, a blind village girl, and her uplifting story of perseverance to attain success, love and prosperity, regardless of life’s hardships.
In an interview with Tonight¸ Cakata shares her views on the production, the message conveyed in it and the talent of the cast.
“The show is a reflection of how all of us are going through battles every day. It’s a musical celebration of us overcoming the challenges and that people with disabilities are like you and I. I felt like we needed something where we could feature some of the challenges that they go through. And its called In Blood because it talks to the commonalities of us all.”
Explaining how the organisation African Sinakho Arts has grown from having started with just 18 artists and to now more than 300, Cakata says: “The organisation has been growing. Not growth in terms of numbers, but in terms of people we found.”
The lead role in musical is played by Thandi Gcwensa, who is blind. Cakata says Gcwensa’s talent and determination inspired the plot of the musical: “She is totally blind and when we found her, she could hardly present herself, probably due to the ignorance of her rural background.
“And we accepted the disabled child. She was not socialised. Her mom was an alcoholic and from the time we found her to the present, we have seen her come out of her shell and stand in front of an audience to perform. In fact, every person in the cast has a story and that’s the story that motivated the musical.”
On directing a production with such an imperative message tied to it, Cakata says: “All of the cast have a special place in my heart. I have become a better person by working with them. They have taught me patience. Every day, I look forward to going to rehearsals and we have become family. We have a connection beyond network relationships. It’s the most rewarding experience. I have never done anything more fulfilling than this.”
So how will In Blood differ from the previous staging of the show?
According to the director, they bring a new aspect to the show every time: “There is always an element of surprise and we’re always taking the show a step further. It is going to be different and has a way of entertaining you, but strikes a powerful chord and changes your life. You come out a different person after the show in the way you look at life. That’s what theatre is meant to do, but disability theatre takes it a step further,” she adds.
• In Blood Musical, Playhouse Drama Theatre, Thursday to Sunday, R100 to R120, R100 for students and pensioners, R60 for group bookings of 10 or more at Computicket or call 031 369 9540.