sustained theatre

By Keith Saha

North West Hub member reports on the recent national Sustained Theatre visit to Grahamstown Festival, South Africa (Edited Blog )

I arrived in Port Elizabeth 2 days before the festival, dazed and confused after being awake for 22 hours. I’d read a potted history of South Africa on the plane, and was intrigued to find out from local people what the new South Africa was like for them and what the transition had been like. I needed the arts festival to give me a Black perspective on South Africa, so my going to see art at the Grahamstown Festival was my only way in to the Townships, peoples experiences, stories and struggles and songs.

I wasn’t disappointed. I saw some truly amazing theatre that I couldn’t have seen anywhere else, in terms of form and content. From watching a range of productions ranging from ‘Blood Diamonds’, a piece by Brett Bailey to ‘Body of Evidence’ by Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre and Jay Pather.

One of the highlights of the festival I experienced was ‘Mantolo’ by Aubrey Sekhabi and Sibusiso Masuko. A full scale, highly polished piece of theatre akin to one you would see at a Rep in the UK. Beautiful use of music and live vocals from the cast. The work charted the history of ANC activist through his early campaign days, to life in prison and his appeal to be released. Made even ,ore poignant by him coming on stage at the end to a standing ovation to a majority Black audience.

Promoting the work of Sustained Theatre, I also promoted work from Sustained Theatres North West Regional Hub that included making links with Visiting Arts and The British Council on projects such as ‘Blue Black Sista’ by North West based Kunde Sisters Production.

I got a real glimpse of what Sustained Theatre could do on an international level. Through the seminar and workshop delivered by Sustained Theatre at the Festival, a number of key cultural links were made by South African artists. Its through Sustained Theatres website that key items such as communicating, creating and debating can be progressed further.

About the author

Keith Saha
Keith started acting at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre in the 80s before going on to Salford University and Hope St Project. He is the founder of 20 Stories High