Television / Multimedia Journalist
THOMAS MILLS
Below are a number of pieces I produced during the ten days I spent at cue TV.
They cover a range of artists, musicians and shows that were all showcased at the National Arts Festival, held in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape. (These were all filmed in HD)
EXHIBIT A
Brett Bailey's Exhibit A is a visceral series of 'human installations' that confronts the audience with a haunting museum of racism. Inspired by the ideas of the human zoo and the "savage" that has characterized the relationship of Europe and Africa the tableaux stage the acts of slavery, imperialism, racism and xenophobia that we are all made ashamed of by the direct gaze of the exhibits.
LANCE HERMAN'S ELIEZER
Lance Herman, minimal folk musician, talks to CueTV after his debut performance for his latest project, Eliezer.
MOTHER TO MOTHER
An intimate one-woman drama based on the tragic killing of Amy Biehl in Gugulethu in the violence of 1993. In Mother to Mother, the actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones explores the difficult channels of forgiveness, redemption and reconciliation from the mother of the killer to that of the victim. The play seeks an understanding from the mother of the killer as she explains the direct consequences of apartheid which influenced her son's actions. The production is an amalgam of the talents of Dr Sindiwe Magona, Janice Honeyman, Thembi Mtshali-Jones and Yvette Hardy.
MIES JULIE
Mies Julie is an adaptation of the classic play Miss Julie by August Strindberg set in a post-apartheid Karoo farmhouse. The play involves Miss Julie, a farmer's daughter; John, a labourer; and Christine, John's mother who raised them both. The plot unfolds over a night in the farm's kitchen and the tumultuous clash between Mies Julie and John. The production becomes a gritty and harrowing piece that touches on major concerns of South Africans today. A Baxter Theatre and State Theatre production.
FENCE
Fence is a metaphor for the divisions that exist within our communities and demarcate barriers behind which we hide. Fence delves into issues of domestic violence and violence against women. Director - Limba Vincent Shabanga, along with his cast, wrote the heart-breaking script of a rebellious child, Faye, and her single mother. Fence comments on the state of a community and how many remain silent in difficult times where speaking out is the only answer. Market Theatre Laboratory's entry to the 2012 Student Theatre Festival.
GARY THOMAS
Virtuoso guitarist Gary Thomas discusses his latest album, Midnight Atlas and his gigs with co-artists including Guy Buttery. He also shares his experiences at the National Artists Festival over the last few years.
TWEET - THE MUSICAL
This musical mix by the Waterfront International College for Performing Arts and Theatre Company is a tough competitor in this year's student theatre competition; sponsored by the Post Office. It sends out the ever-growing message of social networking and why we actually need it in our lives. Directed by Paul Griffiths.
ANIMALS
Animals is Stellenbosch University's entry into this year's student theatre competition sponsored by the Post Office. Animals finds three trapped people searching for answers about each other in the hope of making sense of their own situation. Each of them haunted and controlled by witches. This play uses intense literal imagery to create a blood-curdling horror. Andre Gerber directs cast and crew eager to perform in their first National Arts Festival.
TENDER
This Rhodes University production Tender deals with the experience of living in South Africa through a blend of singing, dancing, movement and multimedia. Directed by Madele Vermaak.
AMAZ!NG FESTIVAL PARADE
The National Arts Festival ended with a big burst of colour and sound as a throng of local performers hit the streets of Grahamstown for the last day parade. From bands, choirs, brass and batteries to stilts, cuddly animals and Nounouche's Side Show, the parade had the local community involved with other festival acts which included international performers like The China Fujian Art Troupe. This is the biggest and best parade that the National Arts Festival has ever had and there are plans to expand it next year. CueTV got the street action and spoke to the co-ordinator Gareth Walwyn.