ROCKING THE CRADLE FESTIVAL

MAGNET THEATRE PRESENTS – “ROCKING THE CRADLE” A SHOWCASE OF AFRICAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN WORK FOR AUDIENCES FROM 3 WEEKS TO 12 YEARS OLD!

Magnet Theatre will host a fringe showcase of theatre for early year’s audiences in Observatory, Cape Town from 24th to 26th May 2017 as part of the Cradle of Creativity, the 19^th ASSITEJ World Congress and International Theatre Festival for Children and Young People in Cape Town from 17 to 27 May 2017.

This will be the first ASSITEJ World Congress to be held on the African continent since the inception of ASSITEJ in 1965. The event will be not only a South African event, but also as a truly African one, focusing on what the continent has to offer in terms of theatre for young audiences. As Africa is the cradle of humankind, so this Congress will be a “Cradle of Creativity” for ASSITEJ, and for theatre for young audiences on the continent and across the world.

ROCKING THE CRADLE has been conceived of as a way to give more South African theatre-makers, who are not on the main festival programme an opportunity to present their work; network with an audience of international delegates and artists and engage with producers of Theatre for Young Audiences’ festivals and theatres from around the world, with the chance of being picked up for touring internationally. Part of the showcase will involve a group of international, high-profile leaders in theatre for children watching the work and commenting in a final panel discussion at the end of the 3 day Showcase on Friday 26^th May. This panel will also be open to the public.

ROCKING THE CRADLE PRESENTS 10 African and South African shows at Magnet Theatre (Corner Lower Main Road and St. Michael’s, Observatory)

on 24th, 25th and 26th May.

3 – 4 shows a day!!

Performance 1 and 8. Scoop: Kitchen Play for Carers and Babes (3 weeks – 12 months)

Wed 24^th/Fri 26^th May @ 9h30

Magnet Theatre’s SCOOP is the first ever South African baby play. Performed by 4 performers trained in connecting with the very young, in a contained custom built tent, they engage with 8 carers and babies taking the youngest audiences on an enchanting journey designed to interest, surprise and soothe.

Company: Magnet Theatre (Created with support from SA/UK Season 2014 & 2015)
Director: Koleka Putuma

Assisted by: Jennie Reznek

Created by the company

With: Sivuyile Dunjwa, Jason Jacobs, Nolufefe Ntshuntshe & Indalo Stofile

2. The Willow Pattern Tale (10 to 12 years) Wed 24^th May @10h30

In 1790, Thomas Minton designed and engraved The Willow Pattern for the Caughley porcelain factory in Shropshire, England. He created a romantic story based on the motifs of the design. Jill Joubert brings the story alive once again in an intimate setting, using beautifully crafted puppets.

Created and Performed: Jill Joubert (and puppets)

3. PAIRED (2-7 years) Wed 24^th May @13h00

In a group of shoes, each journeys to find its pair, searches for a partner, longs to belong. 4 actors invite us to the shoe party. Playful, inventive and full of soul, Paired was created by the 2016 Magnet Theatre intern trainees along with theatre-making intern Lwanda Sindaphi as director.

Company: Magnet Theatre (Created with the support of Goethe Institute and Helios)
Director: Lwanda Sindaphi
Created by the Company
With: Natasha Gana, Lievi Ncanywa, Lwanda Magwaca & Meagan Booysen

4. JUST HERE (2-5 years) Wed 24^th May @ 15h00

‘Just Here’ is a unique piece of puppetry theatre about a little someone called Kodu heading out into the world and making it her own. The production meets the young audience eye-to-eye, mind-to-mind from the company who developed the highly acclaimed “Patchwork” (on the main programme).‘Just Here’ was presented at the Hamedan Festival in Iran.

Company: Pillow Fort Productions
Director: Gabriel Marchand
With: Asanda Rilityana
Roshina Ratnam

5. WOODWAYS (2 -7 years) Thurs 25^th May @ 9h30 and 10h30
   

Seeds, roots, trees, firewood, sticks and paper – these are the ways of wood. Woodways takes young audiences on an adventure. In a relaxed and happy atmosphere, the actors (from Cameroon and Kenya) and the audience are drawn together gaining insight into the world of the wood. Recently returned from performances in Italy.

Company: Shazama from Yaounde Cameroon (Created with the support of Magnet Theatre/Helios and Goethe Institute)

Director: Sophia Mempuh Kwachuh
Created by the Company
With: Alumbe Hellen Collins, Kento Jumah and Fokumlah Burnley Yay

6. RAT RACE (4-6 years) Thurs 25^th May @ 12h00

Well Worn Theatre Company’s Rat Race’s is a pop –up storybook play about an unlikely friendship between stressed-out city rat Miles and kind, easy-going farm mouse Melissa. It’s a comic play with music, clowning, puppetry, illustrations and physical theatre that tells a colorful ‘tail’ about Big Changes in Little Lives.

Company: Well Worn Theatre Company
Director: Kyla Davis

Performed by: Roberto Pombo and Ameera Patel

7. Space Rocks (6 -8 years) Thurs 25^th May @ 14h30

JoJo and Jinks build a space craft in their bedroom and go on a magical adventure, in search of a “better planet” than Earth. With a blend of mythology and science, this play explores how children learn through play, and find hidden strength within as they take their first steps towards independence.
Company: Flying House
Director: Athena Mazarakis

Writer: Tamara Guhrs

9. KNOCK (2 to 7 years) Fri 26^th May @ 10h15

4 performers enter and explore the natural material of wood, its sounds, what it can do, what it can make. Stimulating for the imagination, the cast create strange, magical animals and images with wonderfully shaped pieces of forest wood. Using few words, it includes a rhythmic and creative interaction with the children.

Company: Magnet Theatre (With support from Goethe institute and Helios)
Director: Jennie Reznek

Created by the company
With: Beviol Swartz, Livie Ncanywa and Athenkosi Mfamela

10. CLOUD CATCHER (7-9 years) Fri 26^th May @ 12h30

The story follows the adventures of Buhle, a young girl from Langa Township, Cape Town who decides to end the dreaded drought once and for all. A delightful blend of education and entertainment with a strong message of hope, resilience and empowerment.

Director: Richard Antrobus
With: Asiphe Lili

11. AHA! (2 -7 years) Fri 26^th May @ 14h45

A box arrives in an empty space! What could be inside? Aha! Wool! Pulling out the thread, the actors weave themselves and the children into the wondrous world of wool. Directed by Nwabisa Plaaitjie, Magnet Theatre’s show recently toured to Germany and wowed audiences in the Helios Theatre Festival “hellwach 2017”.

Company: Magnet Theatre (Created with the support of Goethe Institute and Helios)
Director: Nwabisa Plaatjie
Created with the company
Beviol Swartz, Emmanuel Ntsamba Zizipho Quluba and Luthando Mvandaba

TICKETS

ADULTS: R65

FOR SCOOP: MOMS AND BABES: R80

CHILDREN/ STUDENTS/ PENSIONERS: R40

BLOCK BOOKINGS FOR MORE THAN 10 / SCHOOLS BOOKINGS: R30

BOOKING OPEN NOW DIRECTLY AT MAGNET THEATRE.  

CASH AT THE DOOR. NO CREDIT CARD FACILITIES.

FOR GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE EFT IS POSSIBLE.

FOR MORE INFO AND TO MAKE BOOKINGS CONTACT – CALL NOMSA/YONELA @ MAGNET THEATRE on 021 448 3436 or email nomsa@magnettheatre.co.za

www.magnettheatre.co.za

ROCKING THE CRADLE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE