Performers Chief Zanenvula: Lindani Nkosi, Monde
Wani, (understudy) Dermot Daly Lucky Louis (Devil): Pady OConnor Young Chief Zanenvula: Thabang Ramaila
Chief’s wife/Performer/Narrator:
Lebo Mokomele Chief’s brother: Zamuxolo Mgoduka Angel: Annabeth Berkeley, Leigh Nudelman,
Emma Dunn Little Elephant & dancer: Sarah
Riley, Molly Hodkinson Dancers, Performers & Vocals:
Nosikhunbuzo Mgoduka, Unathi Nondumo, Xolisile Bongwana,
Nontuthuzelo Kebe, Upondo Lwe Afrika Dance Troupe
Musicians
Simon Tarrant,
(Musical Director & musician)
Keith Hayes, Vick Conlan, Marek Gabyrsch, Brendan
Murphy, Peadar Long, Pedro Espi-Sanchis
Technical
Ozzie Riley (Director),
Adam Riley, Nicci Spalding, UK
Arts International
Elephant History
photographs
by Tony Griffiths, Suzy Bernstein & Culture
10
Background:
elephant's
birth goes back 12 years to a successful production (An
Elephant called Slowly) for families by Dodgy Clutch
for the internationally renowned wildlife charity, the Born
Free Foundation, about protecting the elephant in its natural
environment.
Following the
birth of a new South Africa, this noble animal seemed to
us at Dodgy Clutch to symbolise the nations new-found liberty
and the yearning for freedom within us all, whether in South
Africa of South Shields.
To explore this
theme, we took a group of actors, musicians and dancers
from Newcastle to the Eastern Cape, South Africa in 2004.
We found a vigorous revival of rich, vibrant and long suppressed
traditional art forms taking place.
Aiming to harness
this vitality, we collaborated with some of the foremost
performers from companies in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth,
and a group of them came back to Newcastle with us to develop
a brand new production.
Elephant
so far:
July 2004 - The
one-week pilot show in a marquee at the opening of newly
restored Saltwell Park, Gateshead was electrifying. We could
have performed five times daily and still not satisfied
demand from young and old.
April/May 2005
- Four weeks development in Port Elizabeth with UK and South
African cast and UK musicians culminating in preview shows
in the Barn, Port Elizabeth, the Addo Elephant National
Park and Sound Base, Johannesburg.
July 2005 - Mini
tour, UK - King's Lynn, Tynemouth Priory (another marquee),
Gateshead, South Shields, Winchester, Stockton.
August 2005 -
St. George's Theatre, Edinburgh, two-week run as part of
the Fringe with storyline further shaped by Malcolm Purkey,
Artistic Director of the Market Theatre, Johannesburg.
Dec 2005 - Jan
2006 - Market Theatre, Johannesburg, eight-week season with
original cast and enriched by the theatre's design department.
July 2006 - Newcastle
Dance City as part of the Newcastle/Gateshead World Culture
Summit.
Feb
- May 2008 - Newcastle Theare Royal; The Hall For Cornwall,
Truro; The New Wimbledon Theatre; The Everyman Theatre,
Cheltenham; Birmingham Hippodrome; The Belgrade Theatre,
Coventry; Basingstoke Haymarket; Sheffield Lyceum; Festival
Theatre, Edinburgh.
