South Africa Projects.
From 2009 to 2018 I worked on a number of projects in the Eastern Cape and in Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa. I had the opportunity to visit as part of a delegation of artists with the Swallows Foundation. After this trip I went on to collaborate and make work with many South African artists.
Mamela
Mamela (meaning ‘listen’ in isiXhosa) is a piece of verbatim theatre that told the true stories of young women from across the Eastern Cape. From the rural Transkei and the mountains of Matatiele and Mthata to the city and townships of Port Elizabeth. This project saw artists from the UK and South Africa embarking on an exciting collaboration that fused verbatim theatre with traditional African song and dance.
Mamela opened at the National Arts Festival in South Africa, then toured the UK as part of Afrovibes festival in 2014.
Creative Team
Concept and Director - Amy Golding
Writers - Ziphozakhe Hlobo and Gez Casey
Performers - Nandipha , Lisa, Zimasa, Caroline (played by Bronwyn in the UK), Andiswa, Lucia, Lungelwa, Sino, Carol-Ann.
Produced by Curious Monkey
Ovation Award for Innovation and Excellence at National Arts Festival South Africa
Performance of the year 2014 at the North East Culture Awards, UK
This World Here.. Nomhlaba Le
A journey to a new world full of song and discovery.
When faced with a new culture, visiting a new place, what do you bring with you?
What do you leave behind?
This international collaboration brings together original music intertwined with traditional South African and Geordie songs, verbatim testimony and a made up story. Made with artists from Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK and Newcastle, Kwa-Zulu Natal, SA.
This World Here…Nomhlaba Le will take you on a journey exploring community and belonging, celebrating diversity and unpicking our unconscious biases. Asking…where is home?
Creative Team
Writer and Director - Amy Golding
Assistant Director/ Co-creator - Jonluke Mckie
Co-creators and performers - Samukelisiwe Khumalo, Sphelele Mzimela, Sanele Mzimela, Samantha Bell, Stan Hodgson, Velaphi Mthimkulu, Alice Blundell.
Produced by Curious Monkey, UK and NADO, SA (Newcastle Arts Development Org)
This World Here... Nomhlaba Le opened at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle and The Exchange, North Shields in 2018.
“Director Amy Golding deftly weaves together the different individual strands and, from this fusion of African and British experiences, creates a piece which is revelatory and ultimately joyous” - British Theatre Guide
Remix.
Remix is an artist development programme delivered at National Arts Festival, South Africa in partnership with Swallows Foundation UK. It brought together artists from all over South Africa to watch and critique shows together, take part in masterclasses, make work and create a parade for the festival finale bringing colour and music to the town centre and the township. Curious Monkey led delegations of UK artists who collaborated with local artists to deliver the Remix programme for community, emerging or early career artists.
