In bocca al lupo

4.84 (58)

In bocca al lupo

10 performances between Sept. 8, 2016 and Dec. 3, 2017
Theatre
Written by Tertius Kapp & Jemma Kahn Directed by Jane Taylor Performed & Illustrated by Jemma Kahn Sound Design by Charl Johan Lingenfelder Lighting Design by Themba Stewart Produced by POPArt Productions in association with the National Arts Festival & The Arts and Culture Trust & Nedbank Arts Affinity
80mins
Bocca Al Lupo Photo NARDUS ENGELBRECHT 6.jpg Bocca Al Lupo Photo NARDUS ENGELBRECHT 11.jpg Bocca Al Lupo Photo NARDUS ENGELBRECHT 18.jpg Bocca Al Lupo Photo NARDUS ENGELBRECHT 70.jpg

Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre 2018, Jemma Kahn brings us the final instalment of her bewitching kamishibai series for the last time ever in Joburg. What could follow on The Epicene Butcher and We Didn’t Come to Hell for the Croissants? An epic journey into the mouth of the wolf – a voyage of self-discovery, sexy Catholics and octopus biltong, spanning three continents. 

Using simple but beautifully drawn images displayed on cardboard story panels, Jemma Kahn has spent the last four years captivating audiences from Alexander Bar to Edinburgh to Amsterdam with her unique take on the 12th century Japanese art form 'kamishibai'. The effect is like watching a sort of live Manga cartoon, her sheer verve in combination with all the elements at play create an utterly original and sometimes bizarre theatre experience, a joyous tribute to visual and verbal storytelling.

In bocca al lupo premiered at the National Arts Festival 2016 | Produced by POPArt Productions and Jemma Kahn, in association with the National Arts Festival and Arts and Culture Trust and Nedbank Arts Affinity. 

"Jemma Kahn, directed by Jane Taylor, outshines herself in this triumphant last instalment of the Kamishibai trilogy" - Sarah Roberson, The Critter

Kamishibai, translated as ‘paper drama’ is an ancient Japanese form of street theatre. A method used for centuries by monks and itinerant storytellers traveling from village to village to tell morality tales to a largely illiterate audience, kamishibai is simplicity itself. Illustrated panels are revealed one at a time from a wooden box, accompanied by narration. Using simple but beautifully drawn images displayed on cardboard story panels, Jemma Kahn has spent the last four years captivating audiences from Grahamstown to Edinburgh to Amsterdam with her unique take on this 12th century art form. The effect is like watching a sort of live Manga cartoon, her sheer verve in combination with all the elements at play creates an utterly original and sometimes bizarre theatre experience, a joyous tribute to visual and verbal storytelling.

In collaboration with some of South Africa’s most dynamic young writers and illustrators, Kahn has carved a niche for herself on the international fringe circuit, telling tales that are firmly for adults and run the gamut from the silly to the sublime. From pornography to epic poetry. From cannibalism to cat dreams.

Jane Taylor:  writer, Ubu and the Truth Commission (1997), writer Wild Dogs (winner of the Olive Schreiner Prize 2006), director After Cardenio (2011)

Tertius Kapp: theatre, Rooiland (Fleur Du Cap, Smeltkroes & Fiesta Awards 2013), Oorsee (Smeltkroes, 2014). Kapp won the Herzog Prize for theatrical work in 2015. His screen adaptation Dis ek, Anna won the SAFTA for best script in 2015 as well as the Silwerskerm for Best Picture.

Audience Responses

Amazing show. Jemma is a gem. What a sincere performance.

Baeletsi • Attended Sept. 10, 2016, 3:30 p.m.

This is a deeply personal show that takes you on a journey through youthful anxiety and joy. Watch out for its return and make sure to see it.

Randall • Attended Sept. 9, 2016, 8 p.m.
5.0

Brilliant. An outstanding production - we loved it!

Sarah • Attended Sept. 9, 2016, 8 p.m.
5.0

ingenious, gripping and compelling

Marion • Attended Dec. 3, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Enjoyed the show. Wasn’t her best.

Corne • Attended Dec. 1, 2017, 8 p.m.
3.0

Super! Jemma Khan is a total winner. Sight lines from the back aren't so fab. Any way to elevate the stage miskien?

Amy • Attended Sept. 9, 2016, 8 p.m.

Loved it! The storytelling was engrossing and funny and artistic. We didn't manage to stay for the talk after the interval unfortunately.

Frances • Attended Nov. 30, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

Fresh, moving, clever, exquisite design, ...truly great theatre!

Gerard • Attended Nov. 30, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

New to me and absolutely loved it

Morne • Attended Dec. 3, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

I would watch it a million times over! Excellent.

Lili • Attended Nov. 29, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

Not as great as The Epicene Butcher but still good!

Gouri • Attended Sept. 10, 2016, 8 p.m.
4.0

Brilliant

Annalet • Attended Dec. 3, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

What can the mother say! Well done to Popart may you guys go from strength to strength. About in boca ...... I do not want to display hubris.

Lesley • Attended Sept. 11, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Gemma Kahn - magnificent as always! Can she do longer runs?

Maggie • Attended Sept. 11, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Genius storytelling. Thank you for sharing.

Germaine • Attended Dec. 2, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Only got to see 2 out of the 3 shows but thoroughly enjoyed them. So different and fun! Jemma has a mesmerising effect on her audience. Artwork is also awesome.

CANDICE • Attended Sept. 11, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Awesome!

Julian • Attended Dec. 2, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

It’s great to be back at Popart after a long hiatus and knowing Jemma Kahn was performing was perfect motivation. She didn’t disappoint as the show was outstanding.

Linda • Attended Dec. 2, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

I really enjoyed this, and it made a very nice book end to woman's month ~albeit after the month ended! It's always a little interesting to me that celebrating women is as often as not done by reference to fe thoughts thoughts male insecurity and the relationship aspects of being a woman. I'm sure, when Hillary Clinton or Margaret Thatcher go/went about their day-to-day work it is/wasn't prefaced by "as a woman I..." Thoughts. They just get on and do the work. In the sense of getting on with their lives they have moved on from their sex. Simone de Beauvior would be proud of them. Which comes to the point: we very rarely celebrate women's achievements as a function of their daily lives, we always seem to do it in terms of their relationship to it. I find that interesting. Possibly that would not make interesting theatre, or meet the needs of the female audience which largely populates women's month events. And I guess that's a sad thing in its own right :( Anyway, I think you guys have done a great job in putting together a strong set over the period :-) regards, Cyril

Cyril • Attended Sept. 11, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Amazing. Though I am from the parents age, it is a relief to see my son is not abnormal hehe. The ability to stand on stage and entertain for more than an hour so fluently, deserves a medal! A wonderful experience! Congrats!

Maretha • Attended Sept. 10, 2016, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Fantastica

Paloma • Attended Nov. 29, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

Show was absolutely amazing. Oh And hayley looked amazing as always.

Mohamed • Attended Dec. 1, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

i ll recommend further!

Karolina • Attended Nov. 29, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

Absolutely amazing show! Jemma is a wonderful performer and the show was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it!

Rozanne • Attended Nov. 29, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

Same excellence of performance and production as "Croissants"! Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Merryl • Attended Nov. 29, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

Loved the show. 80 minutes went too quickly and I was left wanting more.

Sharon • Attended Dec. 3, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Awesome show! Probably my favourite of the trilogy. Only thing was that it was sometimes difficult to see the bottom panels over the front row.

Andile • Attended Sept. 9, 2016, 8 p.m.
5.0

Loved it. Would love to see a re-run of her first two shows!

Stephan • Attended Dec. 3, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Awesome show! Probably my favourite of the trilogy. Only thing was that it was sometimes difficult to see the bottom panels over the front row.

Andile • Attended Sept. 9, 2016, 8 p.m.
5.0

Brilliant! Please bring it back to POPart soon, there are so many people I recommended it to who did not manage to get tickets to this sold out show.

Nina • Attended Sept. 9, 2016, 8 p.m.
5.0

my first experience of the method, and thoroughly enjoyed it. She told the story beautifully, the drawings were clever and flowed seamlessly with a whole range of emotions, and the subject was very relevant to me. Loved it.

Ivan • Attended Nov. 30, 2017, 8 p.m.
5.0

Fabulous, everyone in the group enjoyed the show immensely! Well done Jemma!!

Ben • Attended Dec. 3, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

Awesome show! Probably my favourite of the trilogy. Only thing was that it was sometimes difficult to see the bottom panels over the front row.

Andile • Attended Sept. 9, 2016, 8 p.m.
5.0

5

Tuliza • Attended Nov. 29, 2017, 8 p.m.

It made me feel okay about myself, and gave me hope.

Louis • Attended Dec. 2, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

ingenious, gripping and compelling

Marion • Attended Dec. 3, 2017, 3:30 p.m.
5.0

It’s great to be back at Popart after a long hiatus and knowing Jemma Kahn was performing was perfect motivation. She didn’t disappoint as the show was outstanding.