Workshop Theatre

Question 1

Why was workshop theatre particularly popular in SA during apartheid?

Answer 1

White-dominated government made funds available only for ‘traditional’ European-style theatre performers.
Creative black performers, lacked funding and support.
Workshop play is an oral form-absolve to all regardless of education and literary background.

Question 2

What are some aspects of workshop theatre? (4)

Answer 2

Grow and develop organically.
Director and actors work together cooperatively to create entirely original production.
Not limited to confines of a pre-written script.
Doesn’t develop chronologically-ideas pooled in broad, creative manner.

Question 3

Good key ways to describe workshop theatre?

Answer 3

A continual process of revision
A communal act

Question 4

What are some skills developed through participating in workshop theatre?

Answer 4

Initiative
Conflict resolution
Compromise
Interdependence
Confidence and trust
Responding positively to critical
Sharing ideas listening skills
Motivation
Commitment
Time budgeting skills

Question 5

Steps on workshop theatre process

Answer 5

Decision making
Practical starting points
Observation
Improvisations
Selection and physical interaction

Question 6

Woza Albert!

Answer 6

Satirical workshop theatre play set in SA during apartheid.
Morena (Jesus Christ), chooses SA as biblical second coming.
Arrived at Albert street post office-hated location (where black SAS in urban areas were controlled).
Moves through land performing miracles.
Eventually captured by apartheid gov and imprisoned in Robben Island.
Escapes jail walks across ocean to Cape Town until he’s bombed.
Final scene he appears in cemetery.
Moves between grave sites of anti-apartheid activists and calls on them to ‘woza’ (rise).
Name from former president of ANC (Albert Luthuli).

Different characters, all played by 2 actors.

Question 7

Curl up and dye

Answer 7

Pam-grant focuses on supposed grey areas of Joburg ‘untouched’ by apartheid, where black, white and coloured live toegether.
Challenges faced by characters are relevant today as 1980s (first appeared)
Set in struggling hair salon in inner city.
5 women meet and unburden their souls.
Rolene (owner), person of colour passing for white trying to make ends meet without many clients.
Miriam unsung hero of production. Faithful employee for 20yrs.
Mrs du Bois nosy neighbourhood gossip, floats in and out salon.
Charmaine drug addicted prostitution foul mouth, running away from someone or something.
New customer Dudu Dlamini, perceptive nurse moved up through townships into Joubert Park, sees through pretence and moves women to confront each other and ultimately themselves.

Question 8

Sophiatown

Answer 8

An area where people of different colour united, musicians, artists, journalists, activists, entrepreneurs and bohemians lived and worked alongside each other,
Symbolised society that allowed freedom of action, association and expression. People existed in harmony, undivided by race. Ethnic melting pot.
Musical play, contains scapula harmony, and og songs from period.
Plot inspired by article featured in Drum magazine: 2 black journalists invited Jewish woman to come live with them.
Characters are forced to integrate and confront realities created for each of them by apartheid gov.
In background looms threat of forced removals toon place 1955 Sophiatown (GAA).
Ends with powerful monologue spoken directly to audience denouncing apartheid and mourning lives and bright futures lost.