Autumn 2004
Production Credits
Director
Fikekahle R. Dlalisa
Designers
Tefo Dipholo
Caroline Thaw
Choreographer
Thabang Mpooa
Stage Manager
Jess Egan
It was a scintillating performance. There are few performers who can rivet you with the kind of energy your actors exude. Also, like I said, it is rare to come across adults who successfully transmit knowledge and understanding to an audience of children with a perfect blend of humour and seriousness like they did. Keep it up!
Eugene Skeef on Tselane’s Song
The following resources are available to purchase from Action Transport:
Tselane’s Song -
Music and songs from the show CD
Re-Touring October & November 2005 :
Click here to see tour schedule...
A Joyful, upbeat and inspiring production from Soweto’s brightest professional children’s theatre company!
Action Transport will be re-touring “Tselane’s Song”, the uplifting and magical co-production with Vulavulani Theatre Company, Soweto, South Africa in October & November 2005.
“Tselane’s Song” celebrates African stories and a range of traditional and contemporary African dance. A beautiful, uplifting and funny show reflecting traditional and contemporary life in Soweto. Dance, storytelling, songs and live music combine to create a show like you’ve never seen before, from Soweto’s freshest children’s theatre company.
There will also be the option of a 90 minute workshops following the show. This was extremely successful when piloted in Suffolk as part of Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal Children’s Community Theatre Tour. Children from the audience have a chance to explore the set and learn some of the songs and games played by African children.
‘Tselane’s Song’ toured the UK throughout 2004 delighting young audiences and their families with praise such as:
“It’s good. No, it’s not good, it’s extremely good”
8 year old audience member, Suffolk.
“The vitality of the performance was outstanding
– the children were mesmerised”
Primary School Teacher, Cheshire.
“One of the best children’s performances ever seen”
Head Teacher, Cheshire Primary School.
‘Tselane’s Song’ is the second co-production between Vulavulani Theatre Company (Soweto) and Action Transport (Ellesmere Port), and follows the success of Dumisani’s Drum in 2003 and the two sell out tours of Tselane’s Song in 2004.
Tselane’s Song – The Story
The story is set in a rural village where storytelling and superstition are strong. The children listen to a cautionary tale from Gogo (Tselane’s Grandmother), then the story comes to life. They meet a talking monkey, a dishonest lion and the mighty thunder giant Godumodu (Hodumodu).
Tselane and Mfene, the talking monkey, rescue their friend Myubuyiseni (Booiseni) from Godumodu (Hodumodu), all the while playing tricks on people.
Tselane’s Song – The Process
Tselane’s Song was created as a co-production between Action Transport and Vulavulani Theatre Company . Begun in Summer 2003 the production was led by Vulavulani, who developed the play to celebrate South African oral stories and traditional dance, as well as contemporary dance reflecting life as lived now in Soweto.
Action Transport supported Vulavulani throughout the process through training and advice, some of which was delivered during visits to Soweto. These visits included involvement in the auditions for the actors, schools liaison, advice on the running and organization of Vulavulani as a Company, and input into the rehearsal process.
Rehearsals took place both in South Africa and the UK in order to make adjustments to the play in terms of both language and performance.
The first UK tour of Tselane’s Song in Summer 2004 sold out in under a week and included performances at Chester Gateway Theatre and the Spark Children’s Theatre Festival, Leicester.
Demand being so high the Autumn Tour 2004 sold out just as quickly, including performances at London’s Half Moon Theatre and Take Off! The International Children’s Festival in North East England, thus fulfilling the partnership aim of creating an international platform for our work.
Tselane’s Song - The Characters
 |
Tselane - Nokhthula Ledwaba A 9 year-old girl with a beautiful singing voice. She has two friends – Mbyuyiseni and Rhulani. She has a Gogo (grandmother). She is a strong, brave and friendly character – and cheeky too. |
|
Mbyuyiseni (Booiseni) – Fikekhale R. Dlalisa A young boy who is Tselane’s friend and who is scared of the thunder. He is captured by Godumodu and rescued by Tsel;ane and Mfene |
|
Rhulani (Roolani) – Sizwe Mazibuko A friend of Tselane and Mbyuyiseni (Booiseni). He is not superstitious and does not believe in Godumodu. He tries to beat the monkey for stealing Gogo’s food. |
|
Gogo - Nokhthula Ledwaba Gogo is Tselane’s grandmother. She is strict but kind, and tells wonderful and scary stories. |
|
Inyanga - Nokhthula Ledwaba Inyanga is a witch doctor. She has magical powers and can make potions. She tells Hodomodu to eat a red hot blazing coal to magically transform his voice. |
|
Mfene – Fikekhale R. Dlalisa Is a cheeky monkey who plays tricks on people. He becomes Tselane’s friend and helps her defeat Godumodu. Mfene is not strong or frightening, but he is clever. |
|
Godumodu (Hodumodoo) – Sizwe Mazibuko A fierce giant who eats children. He makes the thunder. He captures Mbyuyiseni (Booiseni) but is tricked by Tselane and Mfeni. He is strung by bees and drowns in the river |
|
Lion – Sizwe Mazibuko He tries to trick the monkey but does not succeed. He also tries to eat Tselane but again he is tricked. |
