This is the first version of the show, which will be further developed next year during the trip to Washington DC for the Artsbridge International Exchange, followed by a national South African tour next July.
The Artsbridge International Exchange is a two-year skills and cultural exchange project between deaf and hearing communities in Cape Town and Washington DC. It comprises workshops, discussion forums, sharing of performance techniques and the creation of a visual theatre piece and education programme to be presented at the National Arts Festival in South Africa and QuestFest, a biennial international visual theatre festival in Washington DC.
This is a pilot project with the long-term objective of establishing a wider-reaching exchange and education programme between deaf communities in South Africa and America. The creative collaborators are FTH:K, US-based Wings, the National Arts Festival in South Africa and Quest Fest. The educational component is brought on board through Gallaudet University in the USA - a leader in deaf education internationally.
"Following on from FTH:K's recent return from Washington for the first phase of the initiative, we are proud to present the foundation of the new visual theatre piece," said FTH:K's artistic director, Rob Murray.
OfficeBLOCK: ...business as usual... will be performed by the trainees on the Tell-Tale Signs theatre education programme - Marlon Snyders, Christopher Beukes and Sinethemba Mgebisa, under the direction of Murray. Joining them on stage is FTH:K's leading performer, Liezl de Kock, with set and costume design by Jayne Batzofin, and lighting design by Murray.
In a series of four vignettes, the challenges of office politics with themes such as power, greed and sexism are explored using FTH:K's signature style of non-verbal theatre. The newcomer who has to learn the pecking order. The female who comes up against her all male counterparts. The young executive who is corrupt with ambition and the aging employee who still maintains his dignity despite his humdrum work.
"The production promises to be an intriguing blend of physical and visual performance: gritty, poignant, and absurdly comic, with more than a little touch of magical realism. It's Kafka meets The Matrix and is heavily inspired by The Little Prince!," said Murray.
"The Artsbridge project is also a significant step for the company as the South African national tour and workshops will serve as an audition process for the next intake of trainees on our Tell-Tale Signs programme. We are excited to be able to open up this opportunity for deaf learners across the country."
FTH:K designer Jayne Batzofin has created a limited edition collection of badges for the run of OfficeBLOCK: ... business as usual ... "They feature elements from the four vignettes from the show and are a must to add to the collection of badges from our previous productions, or for newcomers to start the collection now," said Murray.
OfficeBLOCK: ... business as usual ... will be performed at the Intimate Theatre in Cape Town from 15-19 November at 8pm. This run will also be a fundraiser for the Artsbridge project. Tickets cost only R30. Tuesdays is twosdays: buy one ticket and get two.
Suit up for Friday night's show wearing your interpretation of a suit. Enjoy a summer bring 'n braai on Saturday night after the show from 6pm. There are also great prizes to be won.
For bookings contact Angela on +27 (0)21 448 2838 or az.oc.khtf@alegna.
For more information about FTH:K, the Artsbridge International Exchange and OfficeBLOCK: ... business as usual ... , go to www.fthk.co.za.
