The Welkom Drama and Music Club hosted another fun and vibrant showcase aimed at the kids, at this month’s Publicity Association Flea Market held on Women’s Day.
A variety of performances celebrated women in various ways, much to the delight of the small but happy audience that gathered in the tea garden.
The Women’s Day Show kicked off with a song from the powerful lungs of Em-Jay Mothupi, a local talent. A young Zandy Dolophe followed with her moving message to women – reminding the women in attendance of their greatness. She was followed by Simah Mqhayi – a singer, radio presenter, motivational speaker, and fashion designer. She broke into words of encouragement towards the end of her song.
The master of ceremonies duties were shared between several performers, but the most vibrant was Oratilwe Sesing, who also performed one of his unreleased songs.
The first children’s story was The Magic Porridge Pot narrated by Dolophe with Thandeka Simbine as Rose, Hlompho Shale as Mommy, Karabo Matsoso as Kind Old Lady and several others as neighbours.
The second was Three Little Pigs, narrated by Simbine. Starting with the hilarious piglets (Dolophe, Shale and Matsoso) the audience laughed as they ran away from the big bad wolf, played by Kutlwano Thito.
Other notable performances included a surprise performance by local budding star Ruth da Vocalist, who shared her latest hit “Ngyamthanda.”
Bonolo Maikhotso mesmerised the audience with an acrobatic gymnastics routine. Kutlwano performed a poem dedicated to all the fallen women at the hands of men. Matsoso had the audience laughing with her poem taking a jab at the absurdity of online dating and how disconnected it can be from reality. Mqhayi performed a captivating poem in Xhosa, wearing one of her self-made traditional garments. She connected with the older women as she paid tribute to their resilience, beauty and wisdom.
To end the show, director T-Bone Hlahane thanked the audience and made a plea for donations, as drama classes are free and the club relies on donations only.
The drama club’s performances are always from 11:00 on flea market days, and conclude by 12:00.
The market performances were inspired by a need to bring more people to the tea garden, while also giving drama lovers an opportunity to perform for a live audience – something that has become scarce since the closure of the Oppenheimer Theatre.
director T-Bone Hlahane
“The market performances were inspired by a need to bring more people to the tea garden, while also giving drama lovers an opportunity to perform for a live audience – something that has become scarce since the closure of the Oppenheimer Theatre. The performances appeal mostly to the kids so the whole family can watch,” says Hlahane.
The drama club rehearses every Tuesday at the Rovers Squash Club, from 11:30 to16:30.
“Classes are basically free; members are encouraged to make a small donation if they can. Donations from the public are welcome,” says Hlahane.
