South African Theater History

South African Theater History with Dorothy Ann Gould

Introduction

  • Theater is a form of escapism and a catalyst for social discussions in South Africa.
  • It addresses identity, gender issues, and racial oppression.
  • The Arts Festival in Macanda is still going strong.
  • Support for the arts should extend beyond social media engagement to actual attendance.

Conversation with Dorothy Ann Gould

  • Dorothy Ann Gould is an actress, director, and teacher with numerous awards and extensive experience.
  • She has performed in over 300 theater productions, including 18 Shakespeare heroines.

Current State of South African Theater

  • South African theater is alive, but its success is unpredictable.
  • Plays serve as a way to understand and manage current events.
  • Ancient Greece fined citizens for not attending theater, highlighting its importance for the soul.

Oral Tradition and Storytelling

  • The oral tradition precedes written plays in South African theater history.
  • Storytelling is vital for understanding and sharing experiences.
  • The work of Deenum Chopi emphasizes the importance of telling one's own story.

Early Flourishing of Theater

  • The 1830s saw performances like Andrew Baines' Crikey Keckelbeck or Life Amongst the Haunted Tots.
  • Grahamstown and Marion Hill were significant locations for early theater.
  • Ethel Fugard's plays are inspired by everyday events and people.

Theater and Apartheid

  • South African theater was a form of resistance against the apartheid government.
  • Plays like Bopa, Cinnamali, Waza Elba, The Island, and Sizwa Banzi raised international awareness.
  • After 1994, there was a perceived lack of compelling subjects for theater.
  • Playwrights are encouraged to write about everyday issues like greed, ambition, corruption, and love.

Shakespeare's Enduring Appeal

  • Shakespeare's rich language is a key attraction for actors.
  • His stories are powerful and universal, transcending time and space.
  • Shakespearean productions exist in various languages and cultures.

Innovation in Theater

  • Theater relies on real-life human beings, making significant changes challenging.
  • Design, lighting, and site-specific performances offer avenues for innovation.
  • Brilliant acting and compelling storytelling can still guarantee success.

Audiences in South African Theater

  • During apartheid, theaters like the Baxter and Market defied segregation laws with diverse audiences.
  • Contemporary audiences are more mixed, including people of all ages and backgrounds.
  • The live experience of theater offers an emotional journey that movies cannot replicate.

Ethel Fugard's Significance

  • Ethel Fugard captures the zeitgeist through rhythm and poetry in his plays.
  • His work touches the heart and explores universal sentiments.
  • Fugard's notebooks emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding others' suffering.
  • Hello and Goodbye is an example of a play that reveals new layers with each performance.

The Power of Sizwe Banzi is Dead

  • Sizwe Banzi is Dead highlights the arbitrary nature of racial categorization and the obsession with identity.
  • The play reflects the ongoing issues of identity and marginalization in South Africa.
  • Theater serves as a powerful healing tool by building self-confidence and a sense of identity.

Realism vs. Escapism in Theater

  • Dorothy prefers work that is real and reflects society.
  • There is room for both escapism and realism in theater.
  • Provocative theater can stimulate critical thinking and discussion.
  • Theater's role is to reflect or comment upon society issues, leaving the audience with many questions and critical thoughts.

Support for Theater

  • Insufficient state support for theater in South Africa is considered lacking.
  • More funding is needed for productions rather than infrastructure improvements.
  • The arts are essential for psychosocial well-being and should not be deprioritized.
  • Plays like Green Man Flashing and Tsapang address important contemporary issues.
  • The value of theater for psychological nourishment is often underappreciated.

Contributions from Gibson Kente and Barney Simon

  • Gibson Kente is known as the father of Township Theatre.
  • Barney Simon developed a theater that empowered performers to create plays improvisatorily.
  • Testimonial theater requires a different level of commitment and personal storytelling.

Collaborative Processes in Theater

  • Claire Stopford's The Fall exemplifies collaborative playmaking.
  • Theater involves collaboration in lighting, costumes, script, and acting.
  • The collaborative process fosters intimacy and shared experiences.

Wayne's Experience and Reflection

  • Wayne shares his experience of seeing Dorothy in Hello and Goodbye.
  • He emphasizes the fulfilling nature of theater and the connection it creates.
  • Theater breaks down walls and facilitates conversations that might not happen elsewhere.

Healing and Therapy

  • Attending theater can allow one to release tension, think critically, and feel empowered.