Shining a Light in South Africa

New Greenham Arts resident youth theatre company Shining Lights experienced a taste of South African culture when members of K-CAP theatre company visited the group on Monday 14th April.

Monday's workshop saw K-Cap chorographer Lucky devise an African dance piece with the group and Shining Lights Artistic director Peter Watt working on a drama technique called Archetypes.

The Newbury company was approached at the beginning of the year by Christian Aid who have supported K-Cap's trip to the UK. Both theatre groups joined forces as there share similar ideas about the training and development of young people with an interest in performing arts.

Marketing managaer Xolani 'Chris' Majozi and chorographer Lucky both work with K-Cap and are based in at the Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in Kwa Mashu, a sprawling township 18km from Durban in South African.

'The workshop was brilliant. Chris and Lucky not only taught us traditional dance but really opened our eyes to South African way of life. We also taught them our drama techniques as well and introduce them to hail storms! ' says Shining Lights member Anna Roberts.

Shining Lights have been invited to work with K-Cap next year where the group hope travel to South Africa and perform with K-Cap and the young people of the Kwa Mashu Community.

Company Manager Melanie Rosier-Watt says' This was a perfect opportunity to expose our members to other cultural arts forms and share ideas with our African partners. We are really excited about the possibilities of a cultural exchange programme next year.'

Shining Lights will perform The Roses' of Eyam by Don Taylor adapted by Peter Watt at the New Greenham Arts Centre on the 14th and 15th July. For tickets please contact the Corn Exchange box office.

For more information on Christian Aid click HERE 

Shining Lights on South Africa