Dissecting the aesthetics of identity in Isivuno Sama Phupha
Journal Article
2010
Permanent link to this Item
Authors
Journal Title
South African Theatre Journal
Link to Journal
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Publisher
University of Cape Town
Department
Faculty
License
Series
Abstract
The work that is reflected on in this paper grew out of my personal connection with the Khayelitsha community and many years of personal experience in using theatre to interrogate and express social concerns. As such it situates itself within an authethnographic paradigm in that it reflects the personal, communal and subjective understandings of the theatre makers (Spry 2001). The work has grown out of an ‘insider’ concern with the aftermath of decolonisation and a search for an aesthetic that speaks directly to the traditional/postmodern tension experienced by township youth. This reflection is informed from within the processes of thinking about, living with, and making theatre from, the experiences of the participants. Through dissecting the aesthetics of identity in my recent production of Isivuno Sama Phupha I reclaim the uses of contemporary theatre in relation to township popular rituals and spirituality. My contention is that we, and particularly young people, are living through a social and spiritual crisis. Isivuno Sama Phupha attempts a transformative intervention within the dynamic fabric of the contemporary urban ‘village’ identity - a space of many cultures, languages, ideologies and levels of economic status. This interrogation of my work is situated in the context of the work of other practitioners, particularly August Strindberg’s A Dream Play, Brett Bailey’s Plays of Miracles and Wonder and also the writings of Ben Okri, in which he links dreams and storytelling within the African tradition(s).
Description
Reference:
Mbotwe, M. (2010). Dissecting the aesthetics of identity in Isivuno Sama Phupha. South African Theatre Journal, 24(1), 241-258.