Tswalo/Source

4.92 (12)

Tswalo/Source

6 performances between June 16, 2016 and Nov. 26, 2016
Poetry and Storytelling
Directed By Mahlatsi Mokgonyana • Written and Performed by Billy Langa • Music by John Withers
50mins
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Lyrical prose, poetry and physical storytelling entwine to interrogate the rules that govern life on earth, such as power, creation, politics, connection, and intuition – the performers’ expression of his ‘source’.

Tswalo is a spiritual quest that gives the audiences the baton to walk through their own paradigm of ontology, Tswalo’s poetry, prose and stories furnish us with the necessary tools into a deep meditation. It undoubtedly begs the question (or theory) of being, becoming and unbecoming
Described by SHCC’s director Tricia Sibbons as “a meditation on the important things in life in a spellbinding hour.”  Tswalo premired in Johannesburg at The Plat4orm and for its second run it went to Cape Town at the Alexander Bar Theatre in November. Tswalo made its international premier at Forum Phoinix BT, Bayreuth, Germany which was featured as part of ON THAT NOTE performance art exhibition and now it is making its return to Cape Town again at The Upstairs Alexander Bar Theatre. 

Billy Langa is a graduate of the Market Theatre Laboratory, Co- founder and Artistic Director of Kofifi Theatre Company, based in Sophiatown at the Trevor Huddleston Memorial Centre (THMC) and also a founding member of The Movement RSA.

Billy started his career professionally in 2010 at THMC with a production by UK based theatre company, Tongues of fire Youth theatre Company. “Zanandule -The Spirit of the Elephant” (Uk & SA) Directed by Alexander Gifford. “Ubuntu-Spirit” (UK & SA) Contacting the World 2010 Manchester. Billy was also in The Market Theatre’s “Little-Foot” Directed by Malcolm Purkey in 2012. He did “Thirst” Directed by James Ngcobo in Afrovibes (Netherlands & UK) 2012. He starred in “Passages” directed By Robert Haxton at the NAF 2013; “Ntwa Ya Dipaka” at Wits Amphitheatre Directed by Raezeen Wentworth; “Cat-Walk” street performance Directed by Mongi Mthombeni. “PoetOtype” at The Market Theatre Foundation, in the Barney Simon Theatre and The South African State Theatre, Directed by Jefferson Tshabalala; and “Sixes & Sevens”, a staged reading at The Platform directed by Omphile Molusi.

Billy was also part of the twelve actors that were chosen by the Royal Court Theatre for the Staged readings of the NEW SOUTH AFRICAN PLAY after 20 years of Democracy. Billy Staged His One-Man Show “NGWEDI” at the African Freedom Station which returned from a tour in Germany and now produced by Wits theatre Solo Festival. He has directed various works including an Under the Oceans-apart Project and intercoolcultural exchange, with improv-performance poetry called REFUGE (E). He also directed “Sophiatown -the Play” produced by Kofifi Theatre Company in April 2013 @ Soweto Theatre & Jo’burg Theatre.

Billy collaborated with the  Nirox-Foundation to celebrate The Third Paradise and create “Rebirth Day”, a site-specific performance at the Cradle of Humankind. He also directed the Street Performance “Slow taste of Sky & Earth” at the Arts on Main, in collaboration with Touchstone Collaborations (UK).Billy continues to search and explore his love for Physical Theatre with “Le Club” at Well Worn Theatre.

Mahlatsi Mokgonyana is a Director, Performer, Storyteller, Stage Manager and he describes himself as a multi-Disciplinary artist. The winner of 2011 Sibikwa Storytelling without borders.  His Directing credits include: Nine to Fivers Anthem (Wits Theatre So Solo Festival)   Running (Wits theatre So solo festival)   See Me Naked (Market theatre Laboratory)  Cockroach: A trilogy (Moses Molelekwa Arts Centre) and he is currently directing JUST ANTIGONE an adaptation of Sophocles’ Antigone to be staged at PopArt Centre and National arts Festival and TSWALO/SOURCE to be staged at The Alexander Bar theatre in cape town and at the National arts Festival.  

Performance credits: Ketekang by James Ngcobo (Market Theatre),   Egoli by Matsemela Manaka and Directed by Phala O Phala (Market Theatre)   Sex and Me by Clara Vaughan and Directed by Craig Morris(A touring production)  DET BOYS HIGH by Phyllis Klotz and Smal Ndaba (Joburg citytheatres),  (NAF, Market Theatre, Joburg city Theatres),   The pipers tune by Jacques De Silva (a touring production). South Venturing North, Poetry overload and Sketching Hard by Jefferson Tshabalala(Joburg city theatres). Stage Management; Searching for Somebody, Annual Zwakala Festival, TO no Ma7, Synapsis and Broken Chant.

Mahlatsi is also a facilitator for the Hillbrow theatre project for their annual inner city schools festival and a founding member of The Movement RSA theatre company. He continues to learn and create more work with artists in Joburg and other parts of the world.

Audience Responses

It's rare to see a solo performance where the writer-performer is quite as capable with words as he is with movement, as is the case with Billy Langa. The piece is beautifully written, and spoken with utter clarity in meaning and cadence. And that is complemented by a fluidity of physical movement that is always interesting to watch, while never detracting from the listening one needs to do. Of course, that is a reflection of the skill and talent of Mahlatsi Mokgonyana's direction: he chooses his pieces with care and executes them with a sincere imaginative understanding. Visually, I would have preferred to see Billy as he appears in a photograph of an outdoor-performance. I will hope to follow the careers of both writer-performer Billy and director Mahlatsi. This was a very satisfying experience.

Robin • Attended June 17, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

Phenomenal! I was completely enthralled by the performance, so much so that I thought it was only intermission when it was over. And what a breath of fresh air to see a bilingual play in Cape Town. Please run it again so that I can invite friends. I saw the last show : (

Tana • Attended June 18, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

Devastatingly good.

Daniela • Attended June 18, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

beautiful moving performance

Jaqueline • Attended Nov. 25, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

Just excellent. A rich text, which I'm hoping at some stage to publish. Both Billy's work and Mahlati's work quite exemplary. Why was the house not full?

Robin • Attended Nov. 26, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

Absolutely beautiful theatre on every level. Performance, direction, lighting, sound. Thank you for bringing this to Alex Bar. Billy is a huge talent. I so hope that this piece has a long life. A big WOW, WOW, WOW

Erica • Attended Nov. 25, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

Just excellent. A rich text, which I'm hoping at some stage to publish. Both Billy's work and Mahlati's work quite exemplary.Why was the house not full?

Robin • Attended Nov. 26, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

I thought the performance was very strong. The lighting and sound was slick. Very good overall.

Natasha • Attended Nov. 25, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

Thoroughly enjoyed this performance. In terms of vocal skill, the best story telling performer I've seen in recent years. Refreshing beautiful imagery, wit and economy of physical language, at times resembling tai-chi. Billy Langa and co are great wordsmiths. I wish a larger audience were their to witness this.

Richard • Attended Nov. 26, 2016, 7 p.m.
4.0

amazing! incredible writing and peformance

Lindow • Attended June 17, 2016, 7 p.m.
5.0

Superb show. Will recommend widely