Arts Writer
DIRECTOR Janice Honeyman returns to the stage in her production of Bangalory’s Back this festive season at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, from December 9 to January 9 at 10am and midday, from Wednesdays to Saturdays.
The show is ideally suited for children aged 5 to 12, but is designed to entertain all ages.
In 1976 and 1977, Honeyman presented the children’s television show Bangalory Time, at 6.10pm on Wednesday nights. Now she, along with Zoleka Helesi ( Mies Julie, Zabalaza Theatre Festival) and Marty Kintu ( Blue/Orange, War Horse) will present with a morning of fun story-making, music, comedy, puppetry and tale-telling.
Honeyman has written a collection of short stories with colourful illustrations, to bring to life the magic of its characters and settings.
“In the Bangalory Story shop we will pick each story from the twirling tell-tale tree,” she explains.
“It will be fast, fun, zany and sometimes even sad and touching. The shop will be decorated with mobiles, crafts, puppets, dolls and prompt props that suggest a space filled with stories. We hope to create a lovely sharing family experience so we’d love to see grandparents, parents and children attending. I would really like them to leave the auditorium feeling imaginatively stimulated so we will also throw in some selfies and signing after the performances.”
The Tale of Twankerly Gloop is a story about loneliness, exclusion and friendship. Meet the gloop who lives on the stoep, and in spite of his unfortunate looks, you may even end up becoming buddies.
Arlindo and the Dolphins is a Mozambican story about a young boy who plays the marimba and who is bullied by older boys. He is helped by a group of dolphins who love his music. It is touching and colourful with a bit of Marrabenta music thrown in, there is also a dance for the children to join in with.
In The Butterfly Miracle, Tonio and Bella are on a quest to find their parents in the Blue Mountains. The siblings are kindly helped along by a fabulous fish, a bird of paradise and a beautiful butterfly. Kindness is returned with kindness.
Using the old Japanese style of storytelling Kamishibai, a picture show with puppets, Thoko and Tholeka’s Takeaways features a magical old bag lady who helps children to make their dreams come true.
Finally, Simphiwe and Nikiwe is a modern African version of Hansel and Gretel set in Gugulethu and Cape Town. Throughout this story the children will be asked to help through guessing games, dot to dots, jigsaw puzzles and a sing-a-long.
l Tickets: R75 – R95, 0861 915 8000.