Experience William Kendridge’s magic on stage at Centre of Less Good Idea’s seventh series in Maboboneg
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
I am sure at one stage, you must have been dazzled by the magic that happens on stage when a damn good production is on, and wondered what does it take a director and the production team to create such a magical spectacle that you wish would go on and on.
But then you never got to really get a convincing answer because no matter how elaborate one can try to explain the finer details of what goes into the production achieving the magical spectacle, it does not really make complete sense. The best thing is therefore to witness the process in theatre making instead of trying to get an explanation form the director..
South African born, and internationally reputed multi-disciplinary artist, known for his creative brilliance in visual art, as he is known for creating provocative theatre and film productions, William Kendridge, has managed to do exactly that in the seven instalment of his series of productions to be staged this week at the Centre of Less Good Idea housed on Arts on Main building in Maboneng. Kendridge is the founder of this centre which has since seen interesting interdisciplinary collaborations by a number of artists from various artistic disciplines, such as dance, visual art, music and even architecture over the past few years.
CityLife arts was invited to a preview of the seventh series ahead of its performance this week, and we witnessed the magic of understanding what goes into producing magic on stage.
WE will reserve the full details for now as we would not like to spoil your viewing experience this week, If you happen to be one of the lucky people to grab a ticket to watch the show , rather shows, since there will be main shows happening within this series, from a visual art exhibition to performances. Because of the limitations imposed on live shows by the strict Covid-19 protocols, only a limited number of tickets are on sale, and you batter hurry up and grab one of the remaining tickets before they run out. And believe me, If you get one of the tickets in time, you will witness magic on stage and will get to see how that magic is created as the process and the performances are embedded in this series, to give the audience an opportunity, not only to enjoy the show, but also to witness the process of the creation of such magic. We were lucky to see the process in the Centre of Less Good Idea’s three venues, that also include Kendridge’s studio where his works are moulded before being presented to the public. The experience of being given an opportunity to understand the process was just magical itself.
While Kendrige was not there to give us an insight into this magic he has created with this current series, his right hand man, Phala Ookeditse Phala, the resident curator at Centre for Less Good Idea, did justice to the process buy way of explanation and demonstration.
“The Centre for the Less Good Idea is proud to announce a new selection of collaborative and interdisciplinary work to live audiences for its 7th Season.
The Season, originally scheduled to take place in April 2020, is curated by the Centre for the Less Good Idea’s founder, William Kentridge and animateur, Phala Ookeditse Phala. The festival of new works and exhibitions will take place over 5 days at Arts on Main this September.
Tickets are available for single programmes as well as exciting double and triple bills and audiences are encouraged to book online as soon as possible in order to secure their seats as theatre capacities have been reduced to keep with Covid-19 protocols.
The Centre for the Less Good Idea looks forward to welcoming our audiences back into our spaces to experience incredible live performances once more,” the centre says in its media statement.
Well, like I said we cannot affaord to spoilt your viewing experience, but for now let us give you some insights into what you will engage with If you are one of the luck few to get a ticket.
What of text?
Season 7 grapples with the primary provocation of performing text. What are the ways of transforming a text designed to be read, into a performance on stage? Is it necessary to make this change (of text to performance)? Is there anything to be gained in this process?
Many of the participants in Season 7 (about 40) engaged with the provocation and have produced pieces based on texts by writers such as Joseph Conrad, Ben Okri, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Antjie Krog, Ferdinand Oyono, Franz Kafka, and Sol T. Plaatje. Books, poems, court transcripts, Wikipedia entries, songs, commission reports and more serve as points of departure for Season 7.
“As with all of the other Seasons, we have privileged the fragment, the short epic, finding new ways of thinking and making, rather than feeling the need to make conventional 90 minute pieces of theatre,” says Kentridge.
Exploring new modes of performance with the Pepper’s Ghost.
Another point of provocation for this Season’s work is the Pepper’s Ghost. Old technology from the 19th century theatre, carnival, and amusement park, the Pepper’s Ghost is a shrewd optical illusion technique disguised as a hologram, a mirror, or a plain sheet of glass.
Coupled with hi-resolution video filming and editing technology, as well as projection and live performance, the Pepper’s Ghost allows for the meeting of analogue and digital technologies to put forward a theatrical experience that draws on the power of illusion and distorted or fabricated ways of seeing. Distorting present realities, conjuring lost histories, presenting immediate metaphors, or communicating across time and space are all possible through the Pepper’s Ghost.
The importance of costume design and the launch of SO | The Academy for the Less Good Idea.
This Season also saw the launch of SO | The Academy for the Less Good Idea with renowned costume designer Greta Goiris at its helm. Under the guidance of Goiris, six costume design mentees worked to produce costumes for the artists and performances of Season 7. Phala and Kentridge explain that at the heart of The Academy are new ways of teaching and learning, neither academic and theoretical, nor simply practical, but concerned with thinking in and through material.
Bronwyn Lace brings new visual work to Season 7 as a collaborator.
In addition to Season 7 being one of the The Centre’s largest and lengthiest Seasons of work, it is also the first Season without Bronwyn Lace at the head as animateur. Lace remains in close contact with The Centre, and her role is now taken up by Phala Ookeditse Phala. Kentridge and Phala explain that Season 7 will also see Lace participating as a collaborative artist.
The centre has promised to follow strict Covid-19 protocols to make sure that audience members and the artists are safe.
“Our Covid-19 policies and procedures: The Centre for the Less Good Idea have opted to reduce our seating plan by more than 50% for this event. You will be asked to keep your mask on for the entire time that you are inside the Centre and the roofed area of the Arts on Main building. The building has two open-air courtyards that you can make use of before and after the show. Within the Centre space, we make use of temperature reading, ventilation and constant cleaning to ensure the Centre remains a safe and hygienic experience. You will be asked to have your temperature read, as well as to sign an indemnity before entering the Centre space. Please ensure that you arrive at least 15 min before the start of the show,” the said.
Absolutely NO WALK-INS. Online Bookings only.
“After purchasing tickets, if you experience any COVID related symptoms, or come into contact with someone who has tested positive, we ask you please not to attend the performance. Please understand that The Centre for the Less Good Idea will not be able to refund this ticket after the date of performance. We are happy for this ticket to be exchanged with another audience member, or exchanged for a future event at the Centre. This can be co-ordinated at lessgoodidea@gmail.com,” the centre added.
The programmes taking place in the Studio and at the Event Space will be live streamed to audiences from all over the world to enjoy via the Centre’s YOUTube channel. View programmes and book at www.lessgoodidea.com
Have fun at the Centre of Les Good Idea this week.