Stories of society through the eyes of the visually impaired talent feature at the Alex Theatre Youth Festival

By  Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

At this year’s Alex Theatre Youth Festival there is a theatrical production with a difference, telling stories of society from the perspectives of those who are visually impaired. And those behind this production are inviting audiences to come over and immerse themselves in this inclusive theatre experience titled The Stories We See.

This is definitely a play to check out especially because those who are visually impaired tend to be excluded from story-telling, and this does not mean that their perspectives of a society of which they are very much a part of do not matter. They want to be heard and they want their opinions to be taken seriously. Just like any other member of society. This section of society just like anyone else, gets affected by what happens in society, and therefore this production offers a unique opportunity for the larger society to get a different interpretation of events and attitudes in mainstream society through t the eyes of these actors and directors, using their own voice in doing so..

“”This project is closer to my heart, I am passionate about theatre programmes that add value in society where everyone is given equal opportunities regardless of their gender, race, age, place and sexual and financial state” Says Gcebile Dlamini, the director and vision behind this project.

The production aims to provoke dialogue for social cohesion and inclusivity within youth and communities. Luthando takes us through a journey of the stories she sees. She is intrigued to teach and make the different participants from Thembalethu learn through sound, sticks and the different stories told by the visually impaired. “My family took me to many sangoma’s, churches and prophets hoping I would see again. This was a very tiering process…” participant from the Johannesburg Society for The Blind. They take us into different environments which the visually impaired experience hope, difficulties and purpose through understanding of their own experiences in different environments. The story therefore travels through personal narratives of how they experienced being blind at home, school, community, church etc.

The project is an after-school collaboration between The Johannesburg Society For The Blind (visually impaired) and abled youth from Joburg Child Welfare Themabalethu Play Project. I have attached below descriptions of the two organasations. Gcebile Dlamini comes as an independent director who joins this collaboration

The production is performed outside (site specific). Here was an adaptation of an indoor version at the Joburg Theatre space.com for you to get a picture of the story. I have also attached a project description and biography on email. 

Here is a short clip of our first performance.

Details of the production

Title: The Stories We See

Directed by Gcebile Dlamini

Choreographed by The late Bigboy Ndlovu

Time – 12 pm

Venue – Alex Sankopano Resource Centre

Date – 12 November 2022