Thulane Shange directs a kiddies play showing at State Theatre
By CityLIfe Arts Writer
Renowned stage and screen actor and director, SAFTA nominee Thulane Shange is directing a children’s theatre production Kweku The Spider which is showing at the South African State Theatre from 24 to 30 October 2022. The production is his third directing gig of his career, following a two-year Covid-19 interruption after he had just begun the trade with works Dreaming Of Light and The Lighthouse Keepers House in 2019.
Shange uses theatre to teach children about social ills and believes Kweku The Spider is the door the kids will come through. The play addresses topics including bulling, trust, forgiveness and humility amongst others. “The main purpose of our show is to introduce theatre to kids at an early age, especially those from townships, rural environment and the ones that come from poor backgrounds,” he says. Enthralling and colourful with African song and dance, the show challenges kids to stretch their brains and think out of the box as it seeks to equip them with problem solving skills.
Written by award-winning children’s theatre maker Shala Chokwe, the play narrates the adventures of a sharp-witted spider named Kweku and other animals in a jungle. After receiving powers from the Sky God, Kweku becomes a very boastful and selfish spider who uses the powers against his peers. It features actors Siyabonga Mmekoa , Mfundo Shabangu, gift Mathibedi, Moira Mashaba and Gontse Mathlare.
Born in Pretoria, but relocated to KZN for some time, Shange came back to finish his theatre and film studies at Youth In Trust Academy based at South African State Theatre. His breakthrough in his acting career was at the age of 22 when he was assigned a lead role in Mzansi Magic’s drama series named Isithunzi in 2016. Since earning a SAFTA nomination in 2018, the actor progressed to feature in SABC 1’s Uzalo, Showmax’s The Wife and Netflix’s Jiva to name a few.
Kweku The Spider’s tickets can be purchased for only R90 at Webtickets, which is available at the SAST, Pick n Pay stores and online . GROUP BOOKINGS for schools and early childhood centres can be made by contacting our sales team on 0123924000/ eugene@statetheatre.co.za.