INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Final Report

Margaret Larlham: International Theatre Project. May-July 2001.

September 2001

Description:

SDSU Department of Theatre and Natal University, Department of Drama and Performance studies, Durban, South Africa.

This summer, I traveled with three theatre students from SDSU (John Litten, Tracy Dourgarian and Jomar Tagatac) to Natal University in Durban, South Africa. In the studios of Natal University's Department of Theatre and Performance Study, along with five South African theatre students, we worked through the month of June to create a new theatre piece called LEFT LUGGAGE. The piece explored, both literally and metaphorically, the idea of journeys and the "luggage" we take with us as we move from place to place. Upon completion of the play development and rehearsal process we presented a preview at Natal University, then traveled, at the end of June, to Grahamstown for the 10 day National Festival, of the Arts. LEFT LUGGAGE was performed three times, to full houses, as part of the Student Festival program. The Grahamstown Festival draws participants from all over South Africa and many international touring theatre companies. Besides the academic and artistic enrichment and insights gained by our students, (who saw about 30 national and international productions during the week) the extensive travel in South Africa also allowed visits to the national parks and rural areas of South Africa. Through the extended stay of 6 weeks and the close association with students from all over South Africa the group was able to experience first hand, the social climate, political discussions and issues facing this country's transition toward a democratic multi-racial society.

Significance:

It is acknowledged that experience of travel and study in different countries has an enriching effect on all fields of study. When combined, in this project, with the purpose of creating and presenting a new play, the experience moved beyond observation to become one of active participation. Our collaboration as playwrights and actors contributed to the flow of artistic culture in South Africa. The undergraduate students who accompanied me on this project discovered new possibilities for themselves as artists in the theatre. The work required participation on many levels; improvisation, physical and vocal training, compositional tasks, playwriting, and refining of performance.

LEFT LUGGAGE was presented to full houses at the Festival and was very well received. Festival Chair Peter Voges wrote a letter of response:

"We found the production to be well thought out, impressively visual and entertaining, a combination of elements that are rare in one production. Before seeing the production, we considered the possible threat that either one group (the South Africans or the Americans) might feature more prominently, but the actual production proved this assumption to be false. We must thank you and your cast for this remarkable achievement. The universal appeal of the text assures that the play is relevant to a very wide audience base, irrespective of nationality or ethnicity. The symbols are widely recognizable and economically utilized. Congratulations!

We feel that co-operation between two such seemingly diverse elements is a road that we have not even started to explore. This road, if fully traveled, has numerous advantages for both sides of this partnership:

… Creative cross-pollination is a way of ensuring an impressive standard of work.

… The social advantage is also obvious: a marriage of cultures which brings understanding and empathy to both sides. These students are subjected to the reality of the two societies, not merely to a two-dimensional image on a television screen.

… Both groups are encouraged to explore new avenues, to go beyond what is known and safe - always an inspiring and liberating experience.

We believe that a lot of the credit for this production needs to go to you, since you are the link between these two societies. We would like to salute you for your vision and energy in making this experiment such a success."

My focus as a teacher and a playwright is on theatre for youth. My approach to classes, "Theatre for Young Audiences", Creative Drama", "Improvisation in the Theatre", "Movement in the Theatre" is strengthened by the success of this international theatre experiment. As a playwright, the trip has yielded a new script that, with some refinement, has immense possibilities for me. I am working to find an opportunity to re-stage the piece here at SDSU. The unusual social and physical images that evolved around the suitcases and theme of luggage will, I think, be of interest to American audiences of all ages.

The project outgrew all expectations and gave us all the opportunity to re-consider the boundaries of theatre, issues of diversity, internationalism and the issues we face in our personal lives.

Review:

A R T S M A R T

arts news from kwazulu-natal

www.artsmart.co.za

enquiries@artsmart.co.za

LEFT LUGGAGE (article first published : 2001-07-4)

Left Luggage is the University of Natal Durban's production on the Student Festival of the Standard Bank National Arts Festival and possibly one of the most thought-provoking pieces the department of drama has mounted.

It is directed by former movement lecturer Margaret Larlham who is now lecturing at the department of theatre at San Diego State University. She has brought with her three of her students - Tracy Dourgarian, John Henry Litten and Jomar Tagatac to work alongside their Durban counterparts. These are: second year student Clare Cassidy, third year students Musa Hlatshwayo, Sikhumbuzo Mbuthu and Nompumelelo Mdima. Also appearing

is fourth year student Candice Pankhurst who will be remembered for her fine performance in the department's production of Electra held in the Square Space some months back.

Left Luggage is set in a landscape where birds have suitcases for wings and neck ties form a major part of thecostume make-up. A group of people, either deported or running away from tragedy and trauma involving fire and explosions, appear before a rhyming-speak guard asking permission to pass through his area. He sends

them off across water to an island but the guard there, having been alerted to the impending visit of non-desirables, sends them off on another route - presumably to oblivion. Before they depart, they must leavetheir luggage behind. Inside one of the cases is a young boy. What follows is his story and the influence he exerts over his peers.

This is a workshopped piece which can be taken at face value but it also invites the audience to explore its many levels. The resulting mix of scenarios with their African and American influences makes for fascinating theatre.

Margaret Larlham indicates that what she is trying to say in the piece is that the arts - and artists themselves - are able to create unity out of diversity. They provide the only uniting force which can pull together in one direction - leaving the "luggage", as it were, of the individual proponents behind.

She's got a highly talented cast and there are good performances all round. Jomar Tagatac is outstanding - I hope we see him back in South Africa soon. I'd like to see him working with Candice Pankhurst, an equally focused performer, as the scene they played together in this production was riveting. - Caroline Smart

Future plans:

The success of the project was in part due to the special qualities and talent of the 8 student participants. Funding is being sought to bring the South African students to repeat the performance in San Diego at the "Theatre of the World Festival " in February 2002.

Other possibilities;

I met with the International program co-ordinator at Natal University, and gave him our booklet on setting up an exchange. It appears that there is a US presence on campus through exchanges with other US Universities. With the devaluation of the South African currency, it has become increasingly difficult for South African students to afford the exchanges to the US.

Dr. Roshen Kishun, the director of NU International programs was very intrigued with the LEFT LUGGAGE collaboration and will pursuing further possibilities for short intensive courses. These could build onto existing courses. Natal University has created a short intensive course, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, which is a 5-week immersion and study of Culture and Diversity in KwaZulu-Natal. Dr. Kishun, may be contacted at kishun@nu.ac.za or through their website; http://www.nu.ac.za. I have a packet of materials from his office to submit to International programs at SDSU.

Acknowledgements:

Professor Mervyn McMurtry at Natal University was a warm and helpful host. He organized rehearsal space as well as accommodation in apartments used for visiting international scholars. He also provided artistic and practical help as a costume designer for the show. In San Diego I wish to thank the Department of Theatre, the Office of International programs, Adams Humanity Endowment and the College of Professional Studies and Fine arts, for making this project possible.

Margaret Larlham