As Young adults, we often do not have the vocabulary to say what we need to say to our parents, guardians and sometimes the community at large. We grow up in homes where those who raise us, were deprived of the opportunity to learn how to communicate with their children. Thus causing a certain level of detachment. This detachment is something we grow up with, causing us, to hold back and not speak when we need to. A cycle of delayed healing and things we don't have the capacity to deal with, is then generated.

A PLACE OF KNOWING seeks to acknowledge the contemporary voices and stories of young people living in South Africa. Five performers transform their personal accounts into a series of images, songs & monologues where they unpack and explore the complexities of the relationships we have with our parents as young people and how those relationships affect us or shape our lives.

The five stories came from an exercise on the idea of memory and personal archive in relation to the past, present and future and from that the following themes emerged: The absence of a parent, mental health, poverty, spirituality as well as the intricacies of parent-child relationships.

The work presents itself through the usage of indigenous games, physical storytelling, narration and Amagwijo/ Traditional African song not only as aesthetics for performance but also as reminder of the history of African storytelling, its relevance and importance in the modern day South Africa and the world at large. Through its minimalistic approach the work makes the relationship between the actor, the audience and the story to be more vivid therefore accessible and honest.

This emotionally charged , yet simple piece, is crafted for purposes of sharing, learning and possibly, starting a healthy journey to healing where a safe space is created for each person in the room, safe enough for the actors to deeply connect with their truths and for the audience to receive and reflect.

AUDIENCE RESPONSE

‘Tonight I witnessed “A place of knowing” a theatrical piece from young makers that I love and respect. It spoke to the inner most sacred parts of me. Parts that I often struggle to confront and express. Idea’s around grief and loss that resonate in everyday terms. We laughed, we cringed and cried, some couldn’t sit though it all and left the space.

Loss is a central theme that connects all human beings. Memory is the fragile hinge that allows us to hold tight to our loved ones and things. Young people often don’t have the language to communicate how this loss and the world affects them. A place of knowing does that! it's a piece that speaks to these ideas through the weaving of personal narratives from five fearless young women. An example of how personal biography and collaboration work together to give a voice to personal stories with universal appeal in a unique and engaging way.  - Tony Miyambo

"If this is some of the future of SA storytelling-theatre, then we are in very good hands. Bravo." -Rob Murray

“exquisitely honest and detailed performances...” - Dan Robbertse

CONCEIVED AND DIRECTED

Billy Langa & Mahlatsi Mokgonyana

PERFORMED AND DEVISED

Thuto Gaasenwe, Ntumekelelo Siyephu, Anathi Conjwa, Sokuphila Mkosana and Sibulele Sabisa