STAGED by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), on the NAF’s student programme, are the productions Ashes to Ashes which is a minimalist, symbolistic and pretty technical political satire, and The Match Girl, which is a modern South African adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson tale, The Little Match Girl.
Tonight chatted to the directors of each show to learn more about the themes.
Tye director of Ashes to Ashes, Camilla Rogers, says the production ridicules the mind-blowing actions of our political leaders and law enforcers, in acting out a robbery of the mother’s riches.
Elaborating on the themes, she says they centre on corruption, Eskom and load shedding: “Other themes are water shortages, a new beginning for our people (even though we’ve had one, it feels as though were going backwards), homosexuality and education.”
Rogers also adds that they are in dire need of funding in order to get to Grahamstown for July 6 and 7 when the show will premiere: “We are running a R50 challenge committee. If you would like to support our play, please e-mail [email protected]”
With regards to The Match Girl, the story is told through a fusion of performance art, mask work, shadow play, puppetry and physical theatre.
The show highlights how we have become inured to suffering and poverty.
On what attracted her to the story director, Jessica Killerby, says she was inspired by the children’s tale written by Anderson: “I then decided to adapt the story with a modern South African approach.
“The play highlights how the human race is flawed; we are selfish and greedy and take anything we can possibly get our hands on and still crave more. My hope is for audiences to get lost in the show and let their imaginations run free and experience the journey. I am hoping that the message of the show is carried across and that the audience is able walk away feeling inspired for change.”
l The Match Girl runs on Thursday and Friday and Ashes to Ashes runs on July 6 and 7.