“Theatre Think Tank: The Dope Shop meets The Art Spaza” – An exploration of Merchandising and Product Expansion for Performance Artists.
As the new phrase goes… ‘Been there. Done that. Got the Tee-Shirt, and the Album, and the Vinyl, and the Book, and the Cassette, and Dungaree, and the Mug, and the Collectors Edition Poster, and and and… some other purchasable mementos!’ A little longer than the original saying, but hey, we are here now.
J.Bobs Tshabalala (Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Theatre 2020) – returns to the Makhanda stage – for a one night only performance and retail special featuring Standard Bank Young Artists of the Year for Theatre 2023, Billy Langa and Mahlatsi Mokgonyana.
True to Tshabalala’s interactive sketch signature, the work features audience engagement in the form of a live auction, and true to the Theatre Duo’s physical and vocal style, the work is also a high energy performance joyride with Song, Dance and plenty Text!
This work explores how contemporary performance artists and producers can turn “Audiences of Art” into “Consumers of Product”.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Curator/Show Host: J.Bobs Tshabalala
Players/ Panelist: Theatre Duo(Billy & Mahlatsi)
Director of Photography: Gomotso Morobe
Editor: Khotso Sentso
Stylist and Designer (Costume): Tebogo Motshabi
Creative Assistant and Make Up: Ntumekelelo Siyepu
Rehearsal Stage Manager: Khanya Zibaya
Production Stage Manager: Sibusiso NdumNdum
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
J Bobs Tshabalala is an artist, entrepreneur, and dramatic arts teacher. He is the
recipient of the 2020 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, is an Arts and Culture Trust ImpACT Award winner, and is founder and co-owner of the Johannesburg based live arts production house, Kiri Pink Nob Arts (Pty) Ltd. This company produces straight plays, sketch comedy shows, poetry in performance productions and slams, stand-up comedy shows, and variety bill performance events (black music, readings, games, symposiums, etc.). He also works as a corporate facilitator, a performance trainer, and as a dramaturge. Tshabalala’s other play’s include POET.O.TYPE and SECRET BALLOT.
The Theatreduo
Billy Langa and Mahlatsi Mokgonyana – or The TheatreDuo, as they are affectionately known – are independent collaborative theatre makers. The Theatreduo have since produced original creative and theatrical works in South Africa and their work has toured most parts of the country and internationally Including Namibia, Germany, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. Their works have earned them critic’s picks and awards which include the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artists Award 2022 for Theatre , Cape Town Fringe Fresh Award for Performance, Cape Town Fringe Fresh Creative Award for directing, Standard Bank Ovation Awards, The Naledi Theatre Award for Best Production for young audiences, Naledi Theatre Award for Best Solo performance, FUSE International Award for Best International Performance Award [UK], ICA Fellowship Award and ACT (Arts and Culture Trust) Impact prize finalist.
