FTH:K takes its place at the Fleur du Caps

We’re a Visual Theatre company, right?  And we’d like to think we’re at least above-average at what we do, right??  Well, then, it’s no surprise that our performances of QUACK! and Pictures of You should find their way into three 2009 Fleur du Cap nominations, in two of the most important Visual Theatre categories that the FDC’s have: Best Prop/and or Puppetry Design and Best Lighting Design!  That’s right, folks.

Our wonderful collaborator, Janni Younge, has been nominated in the category of Best Prop and/or Puppetry Design for her masks in both Pictures of You and QUACK! (as well as for her work on The Tempest because that’s how much she rocks), and our very own Rob Murray has been nominated in the category of Best Lighting Design for the lighting in Pictures of You.

When asked how he felt about the nomination, Rob “Ugli Bob” Murray managed to dry his eyes with his sleeve just long enough to say, “I’m…just…so…happy!…” before breaking down again into unintelligible sob-comments that included something about not even being a lighting designer.

Now, we have no control over who will win these awards but with your help, we could make a go at scooping the FDC People’s Choice Award: simply click here, head to the top right of the page to the People’s Choice Award link, click and vote for your favourite (FTH:K) production of 2009. The People’s Choice Award will be announced at the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards ceremony in March, and you know you’d like it to be us!

We at the Company are super-thrilled for all the nominations and applaud all the nominees for their participation Kapetown Kultcha in 2009.  Mostly, we look forward to finally being invited legitimately to the Fleur du Caps…

Read more about the other awesome Nominees, and REMEMBER: Pictures of You is only on at the Baxter until this Saturday, and with tonight already being SOLD OUT, it’s best you hurry to book your tickets!

Pictures of You – back by popular demand!

That’s right, folks!  Pictures of You was so popular last year that we have decided to bring it back for a short 2-week run at the Baxter Theatre’s Golden Arrow Studio from

1st – 13th February @ 8:15 pm

for all those people who didn’t get a chance to see it.  And judging by the number of people who asked us when it would be on again after it closed last year, there are a fair number of them!

(CLICK HERE to book your seats before someone else does)

As you know, we like to make the theatre-going experience well worth it by offering you quality theatre at affordable prices.  And this year is no different.  Have a look at these awesome prices and specials, and note that all you FTH:K members out there get hugely reduced rates:

• Monday: R60 (includes a ticket for the performance as well as a light meal in the Baxter Restaurant. Tickets available from Baxter Box Office only.)
• Tuesday: R75 (Tuesdays = Twosdays. Pay R75 for 1 ticket and get two!)
• Wednesday & Thursday: R75
• Friday & Saturday: R95

SPECIALS (valid Wed – Sat)

• Block bookings of 10+ & concessions (students, pensioners, Deaf and disabled): R65
• FTH:K Members: R45 (bookings through the FTH:K office only)

So what does “Back by popular demand!” really mean?

We’ll give you a clue: it has nothing to do with what the critics and the theatre aficionados think (although we love and appreciate them hugely!).  It means that the general public…the average oke…you…your cousin…the guy next door…liked the show so much that they came in their droves and then begged for more performances.  And what the public asks for, the public gets!  (Provided it is asking for quality entertainment, of course.)

You already know that the press called Pictures of You “genius” (Cape Times), a “riveting” (Mail & Guardian), “seductive” (Cape Argus), “explosive” (The Sunday Independent)…and so on, but what did the Man On The Street think?  Isn’t that more relevant in this case?  Of course.  So just to prove a point, here are a few of the responses we got from audience members after seeing it at the Baxter last year:

“…one of the most affecting, disturbing, powerful pieces of theatre we have seen in a long time.” Jacqui

“…more, more, more. More of those amazing masks, more movement, more dance, more of those scary puppets.” Michael

“…a haunting piece of theatre…” Adrian

“A master piece of Mental pollution! Moving! Intense! Disturbing!…” Mannini

“It was awesome – three days on and I’m still thinking about it…” Louise

“Just about blew my head off…” Jurgen

“Superb!…simply awesome…beyond words…engaged all 5 senses- captivating the 6th sense !!! A must see for all.” Thava

“We were absolutely blown away” Kerstin

“…totally spellbinding…absorbed from the first minute.” Cathy

“O W O W  – OH WOW!!!!……inspiring for the rest of us who can only support that which we cannot do.” Jen

“The play was exceptional. It was really one of the best theatre experiences I have EVER had – genuinely moving, funny and poignant.” Dyrk

“…absolutely brilliant. One of the most powerful pieces of theatre we have seen in years both internationally and nationally!” Tracey

“Every minute of the show expressed  rare theatre detail  which underscores our lives;  and the role of theatre as it underscores the human experience was given a special treatment…a memorable couple of hours…a unique theatrical experience…” Shirley

“…definitely right up there with some of the best that I have seen in my many years of theatre watching experience.” Bridget

And then a deliciously cheeky email saying:

“The show was awesome…Thought I would send you a blank email and let you figure it out with no words…” Bernine

Not bad, hey?!  Notice how often the word “best” was used??  So now you’ve heard it from both sides: the critics and The Man On The Street, and they both agree!!

Start spreading the news….

We’re back!!

Yip, the FTH:K crew is officially back at work getting ready to bring you  another year’s worth of exciting, stimulating, ass-kicking theatre! If you want to know more about our 2010 programme click here but otherwise, get yourself ready for a short return season of Pictures of You, back by popular demand, at the Baxter Theatre’s Golden Arrow Studio from 1st February – 13th February.  Bookings have already opened and tickets are moving fast so don’t get caught out.  You may as well click here to book your tickets now coz you know you’re gonna!

Otherwise, the 2010 FTH:K team is tighter and brighter than ever before. Totalling 10, FTH:K includes the following awesome okes:

• Tanya Surtees – Company Director
• Rob Murray – Artistic Director
• Angela van Schalkwyk – Operations Manager
• Simangele Mabena – Education Coordinator
• Liezl de Kock – Theatre Maker
• Lysander Barends – Theatre Maker
• Emilie Starke – Theatre Maker
• Marlon Snyders – Theatre Maker
• Christo Beukes – Trainee
• Tomri Steyn – Trainee

And those are just the full-timers!  There are still a host of people who are going to be joining us for projects, programmes, dreams and schemes so we’ll keep you posted.

Until then, prepare yourself for fun in the FTH:K sun, which luckily shines all year long!

HOLIDAYS!!!!

At last, FTH:K is working its last day before the well-deserved holidays kick in, bringing 3 weeks of fun, sun and beer (and a Mexican New Year for some of us ;-). That’s before we come back to take 2010 by the scruff of its neck and shake what its mama gave it in true FTH:K style.  But for now, just fun, sun and beer! As we reflect on 2009, we are reminded of how lucky we are to do what we love for a living, and how grateful we are to all of you who have supported us over the year.  Everything FTH:K achieves happens through collaboration in one way or another, and so from all of us here we say a huge, hands-flapping THANK YOU for your role in our development. We really wouldn’t be here were it not for people like you.  Go team!

Whew. Ok, so 2009 has been one hellova year for FTH:K. I know we say that every year, but seriously, this time we really mean it! And if you don’t believe us, have a look below at some of the highlights of our year:

THINGS THAT KICKED ASS IN 2010:

• Pictures of You clocks in as the highest grossing theatre production on the National Arts Festival fringe programme, and 12th highest across all categories
• Besides the NAF, Pictures of You plays to huge success at the Suidoosterfees, the Baxter Theatre, the Western Cape School’s Festival, the Festival of Fame, and the Witness Hilton Arts Festival
• Company Manager, Tanya Surtees, is invited to present the Keynote Address at the Western Cape School’s Festival
• FTH:K features at South Africa’s first large-scale Deaf and hearing party called SenCity (click here to see the DTV clip – and see if you can spot Frank and Janet of Pictures of You boogieing down on the dance floor)
• GUMBO travels to Argentina to have its 124th (and final…sniff…) performance in Buenos Aires (click here to see the tribute made by Clare Louise Thomas)
• QUACK! plays to sell-out houses at the National Arts Festival and the Intimate Theatre
• Ek Roep Vir Jou Vanaand, FTH:K’s first all-Deaf performance, tours to schools around the Western Cape and enjoys a run at the Intimate Theatre
• FTH:K launches a new level to its Tell-Tale Signs training programme to prepare talented Deaf learners for employment in the Company
• Compared with 2008, FTH:K doubles its beneficiaries in the Western Cape, doubles its reach to previously disadvantaged individuals, trebles its Deaf beneficiaries, and doubles the number of people employed by the company

No bad huh??  And there’s actually more but we can see we’re making you blush already…

So, what’s next, you ask?

COMIN’ ATCHA IN 2010:

• Pictures of You is back by popular demand for a 2-week run at the Baxter Theatre (1st – 13th February)
• QUACK! heads off to QuestFest in Washington DC and the team tours around the Mid-Atlantic region with an education programme (29th Feb – 16th March)
• QUACK! returns to wow Cape Town audiences at the Out The Box Festival (+/- 24th – 27th March)
• Womb Tide premieres in the National Arts Festival’s Arena Programme (watch this space for details)
• FTH:K presents a month-long festival of visual theatre, workshops and discussions at the Market Theatre (23rd Aug – 26th Sept)

Yes, we are going to be one busy little company next year…

And with that, the only thing left to say is

EXIT

(and happy holidays!!)

QUACK! is “poetry in motion”!

Three more reviews are out and they all concur that QUACK! is well worth a look in.  Don’t believe me? You’ll have to check them out for yourself.  Don’t believe the reviewers?  You’ll have to check out the show for yourself! Only 5 more performances left and they are booking up fast…

(Contact us to make your booking)

In today’s Cape Times, Astrid Stark says, “…With its dark storyline and spine-tingling soundscape, it may best be described as a new-age Afro-Gothic romantic thriller. Quack! has it all; political greed, oppression, a bittersweet love story and death; gently laced with sporadic bursts of black humour…

…The story and characters display elements of The Bride of Frankenstein and Rocky Horror Picture Show. However, it retains a distinctly African flavour.  It is an original, somewhat sexy, and deliciously disturbing production…”

And then one of my favourite bits: “It is difficult not to fall in love with the enthusiastic cast and crew of FTH:K.”

(Click here for the full review)

In the Cape Argus today, Zane Henry says, “…what theatre group FTH:k (From the Hip: khulumakahle) is proving so good at is exploring that mine between dreams and reality using their trademark non-verbal performance. The story isn’t the most important thing. The medium is the message…

…The combination of Janni Younge’s surreal masks, James Webb’s nightmarish soundscape and director Rob Murray’s overarching vision makes for an intense, unique theatrical experience. Audience members are encouraged to meet the play halfway and fill in the spaces between the story’s components. Because nothing is certain, anything is impossible…

…Quack! tells a much bigger story in a big way. Its ambition still slightly exceeds its grasp, but this is a good thing. Theatre should sometimes be a little dangerous, especially when in the hands of a dynamic, talented young company.

This fever dream of a production is a credit to FTH:k and well worth your time. Just prepare to have the dinges freaked out of you.”

(Click here for the full review)

And Fiona Gordon, writing for Artslink says FTH:K is “pushing the boundaries of theatrical exploration”, calls QUACK! a “theatrical sensation…Quirky, and interesting” and with “a phenomenal team of collaborators” she notes that “the design is incredible”. And just in case you weren’t convinced, she says:

“It really is poetry in motion.”

(Click here for the full review)

And the reviews begin!

So, with QUACK! having opened on Wednesday night, we have been getting lots of great feedback from our audience members and the general feeling is that QUACK! is a visual feast!  Some people have found it hard to follow, others didn’t find the narrative at all confusing, but everyone agrees that it is theatre unlike anything they have seen before and well-worth a look in.  We are also starting to get some of the official feedback – in the form of reviews –and so far, so good!

Daphne Cooper, writing for Bizcommunity, called it “well worth seeing” and “powerful”, and ends by saying “Do yourself a favour. Get to Quack and be surprised, moved, freaked out and entertained.”  Freaked out?!?  He he he!  I know the director will be happy with that one…  Click here to read the full review.

Jonathan Duguid, reviewing for The Lifestyle Show, says it “touches one in a special place, leaving the show bookmarked in one’s mind for a very long time”.  When trying to define the style of the piece, he battles, deciding that it is a style unto its own, a “wonderful neo-genre of spectacular imagery.”  Ultimately, he says, “…go and watch QUACK! It shan’t disappoint…” Click here for his full review.

Slowly, slowly, we are going to take over the world…one theatre-goer at a time!!

Supportive words from a fellow thespian!

Today, my wonderful Google Alerts gave me the heads up about an article recently posted on Artslink that clocked FTH:K.  On reading it, I was moved by the sentiments behind the words and am grateful to Thami Mbongo for this recognition of our work (kinda ironic, given that the article is entitled Theatre that changes lives not for recognition, but hey! I’m sure Thami understands).  You can click here to read the full article, but of FTH:K, he says:

“FTH: K (From the hip * Khulumakahle)
The extraordinary work that Tanya Surtees and Rob Murray have done with their lovely company – they have decided that they needed to cater for the people that are forgotten in a way in our theatre circle.

The company focus is to offer access to theatre training for the Deaf community and to prepare Deaf and hearing performers for entrance into the professional theatre industry.

It is high time that our theatre makers and theatres at large do think about offering work to the Deaf community artists.

The success of the company productions and the efficient way they run their company is outstanding and should be applauded. The company have won Arts and Culture Trust’s Award for Cultural Development Project of 2005 among others.

I wish the company’s goal does come true as they wish to open South Africa’s first Deaf and hearing Integrated Theatre Training Centre in Cape Town.

I salute the FTH: K and would like to say we as young aspiring theatremakers who have dreams of opening their own theatre companies one day – we do learn a lot from your company. Keep up with the great work.”

Thanks, Thami!  Great respect to you for standing behind the companies like ours.

Well Done, Janni!!

For those of you who don’t yet know, Janni Younge has just been awarded the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Theatre.  Yes, this is the same Janni Younge who did the awesome masks for Pictures of You and QUACK!

"We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Janni for being a recipient of this prestigious award," says our Artistic Director, Rob Murray. "It is a fitting acknowledgement of her immense talent. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Janni for the work she has done, locally and internationally, to raise the profile of visual theatre, helping to make it accessible to a wider audience."

The Standard Bank Young Artist Awards acknowledge young South African artists who have displayed an outstanding talent in their artistic endeavours.

"Janni has already enjoyed a prolific career and we are honoured to have collaborated with her on various projects over the years," says Murray. "Working with Janni, she brings with her not only an immense skill and original, unconventional thinking, but also an exacting eye combined with a disarming honesty – all hallmarks of a great artist.

"We are privileged to be presenting masks created by Janni as part of our performances of QUACK!, which runs at the Intimate Theatre in Cape Town from next week and which will tour in March next year to QuestFest in the USA, a 2-week international festival celebrating visual theatre.

"The expert masks and puppets created by her for Pictures of You formed an integral part of the exciting, arresting imagery in the production, and have played a huge part in the success of the production."

"Janni, on behalf of the FTH:K team, we salute you!"

QUACK! with masks by Janni Younge will be performed at the Intimate Theatre in Cape Town Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10 – 21 November 2009

Pictures of You with masks and puppets by Janni Younge returns by popular demand to the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio from 1 – 13 February 2010

For bookings and further information contact FTH:K on 021 448 2838 or email us on clowns@fthk.co.za.

Check it! Check it!

Click where?

HERE!

Just do it, man!

A moment to breathe and take stock

Last night, Ek Roep Vir Jou Vanaand opened at the Intimate Theatre on Hiddingh Campus to a wonderfully warm and responsive crowd. It’s such a charming production and with only 5 performances in its short run, it is in essence a project packed full of experiential learning for the people involved in it.  If you have ever produced a show, your first show, you will know what we mean.  It’s not just the show that you have to work on.  It’s all the teeny-tiny things that go into the creation of a performance event from page to stage.  Like??  Organising a guest list, programmes, flyers, tickets, an audience, a float, front of house, snacks, wine, a barman, a corkscrew and and and…! All this while making sure the performers have what they need, are doing what they need to do, and that the performance is ready to go up on time every night.  It’s not easy!  I’d like to say that we work haaaaard for the money, but I guess the truth is simply that we work hard!!

Through all of this, balancing full-time QUACK! rehearsals by day, the Ek Roep team has pulled it off and celebrated with an awesome Opening Night.  The FTH:K Management Team has taken a very hands-off approach in the whole process: if the Ek Roep team needed something done, the FTH:K professionals were there.  But it had to come from the Ek Roep crew first.  And to their credit, they took on the majority of the work themselves, wrestling with the beast and coming out triumphant on the other side.  And as we at FTH:K step back and take a breath, just before we launch into the final push for 2009, it’s important to look and where we’ve come from and what we have achieved.  So often our eyes are on that prize over there, in front of us, the one we’re driving towards.  And while that’s very necessary (if not vital) for growth, it’s equally important every now and then to look around at where you are, and back at where you started.  And feel proud.  Last night, we felt proud.  Of everything our small but big-hearted company has achieved.  We seem to be The Little Theatre Company That Could, and that’s a beautiful thing to be involved in.  Oh, it’s all so delicate and we always remind ourselves of how it could turn on its head at any moment, but for now, for this moment of calm, I think that it’s safe to say we are all really blessed to have joined FTH:K on its unexpected, unusual and unpredictable journey!

*grin*