RALPH Lawson, a multi award-winning playwright and director, has debuted his first self-produced theatre show.
Sthandwa And The Nature Thieves will stage at the Playhouse.
He said the edu-tainment production was aimed at enlightening young audiences, while at the same time giving them a taste of live theatre.
Lawson said Sthandwa And The Nature Thieves was a tale of adventure, during which audiences are invited to enter a magical world. This world highlights the goals of sustainable and healthy living, rights and responsibilities, and the inter-connectedness of all living things.
“Intent on finding out why she is no longer able to communicate with the natural world, Sthandwa, our heroine, sets off on a journey of discovery. As the story unfolds, she is entrusted with a secret formula that will restore order.
“But first she needs to overcome her fear and confront the Nature Thieves, a band of reckless and destructive creatures responsible for the degraded state of the planet.”
He said the production was created specifically for junior and senior primary school pupils and that it combined skilled actors and innovative puppetry in a captivating story.
In a career that spans decades, Lawson has played landmark roles as a writer, actor and director.
He made his professional debut as "Ariel" in the production of The Tempest under the direction of Leslie French in 1968. After 11 years of working in theatre and television in England, Lawson returned to South Africa in 1981 to play "Mozart" in Pieter Toerien's production Amadeus.
He then became a freelance actor/director, working for theatre managements, including the Market Theatre, the Baxter Theatre and the Playhouse Theatre in Durban.
He is the recipient of many awards, including from the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, Durban Theatre Awards, Naledi Awards and Vita Awards.
Lawson said after being active in the arts, he thought it was time to stage his own production.
“This is my first as a producer as well as a director and I’m finding it eye-opening, satisfying and a little scary, too. Artists are inclined to vent their spleen on management and blame them for everything, from cracked coffee mugs and uncomfortable dressing rooms to not enough money.
“But from now on I will stick up for producers through thick and thin. Seriously, though, it’s exciting and I’m fortunate to have great support from colleagues and friends.”
Lawson said he was fortunate to have had a varied career as an actor, a director and a teacher.
“The latter brought me into contact with many aspiring young artists via the Playhouse Company’s mentorship programme, which I ran for a number of years. I have followed the progress of a number of them since then.
“Some went on to study the performing arts at tertiary level, which is wonderful. But, I am aware that most of them are unable to enjoy the privilege of regular employment that I was fortunate enough to experience. There simply aren’t opportunities these days.
“And, of course, without these opportunities, they are unable to refine their skills and hone their talents. There is certainly nothing like practical experience. My aim then has been to attempt to provide some means of employment in a fertile and conducive environment to improve lives and, hopefully, raise standards by providing experience.”
He said Sthandwa and the Nature Thieves addressed sustainability issues that are prioritised in primary education.
“During my research, I came across several articles on the degraded state of the Msunduzi River, which were pretty alarming and that was the starting point. And what better way to create awareness than via a theatre experience that can both entertain and educate?
“I hope to continue in the field of edu-tainment, where young audiences can enjoy an uplifting and enlightening taste of what live theatre, in this case in association with the Playhouse Company, can offer.”
He said his interest in puppetry began at an early age. He created his first puppet theatre when he was at school.
“I performed at kids’ birthday parties and earned pocket money, so I guess this is not really my first experience in management,” he joked.
“I have reached a stage in my career where I would rather like to revisit the craft. Puppets can create a unique brand of magic that appeals to old and young, and there seems to be a resurging interest in puppetry worldwide right now that I’m rather excited about.
“I should say, though, that Sthandwa and the Nature Thieves is not a puppet show per se. It’s a play for young people performed by actors, that includes some puppetry.”
Lawson said he was fortunate to work with a trio of young actors who brought vitality and commitment to the show that he admired.
“Mpilo ‘Straw’ Nzimande has made a name for himself in many excellent productions, as have Nkosikhona Dube and Nozipho Chiliza, who came up through the Playhouse Company’s mentorship programme and have since begun to forge promising careers for themselves.”
Conceived and directed by Lawson, the show will stage daily at The Playhouse from October 20 to 28.
For bookings, including school bookings, call 071 611 0367 or email [email protected]
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