FTH*K is a young, funky, multi-award winning theatre and education company that develops opportunities for Deaf and hearing performer-creators within the field of the performing arts.
From Deaf schools programmes, to its Integrated Deaf/Hearing Professional Development Programme, to professional theatre productions, to the long-term goal of establishing the country’s first Deaf and hearing physical performance training institution in Cape Town, FTH:K is unique in the SA landscape. Its aim of bringing together Deaf and hearing artists, audiences and educators is best illustrated through its unique Tell-Tale Signs programme which is currently training South Africa’s first generation of Deaf people for inclusion in the professional performing arts industry. There is currently no other project like it (nor has there ever been) running in South Africa.
"GUMBO"
GUMBO tells the story of a young Deaf boy who escapes his abusive father to find love and acceptance. It is a modern day fairytale of terrible deeds, clandestine romance and newfound courage, performed using a mix of clowning, Sign Language and haunting imagery. GUMBO is ground-breaking in that it is South Africa’s first full-length Deaf and hearing clowning show.
“GUMBO tackles themes such as acceptance and rejection which resonate with all of us,” says director Tanya Surtees. “The play is poignant as it deals with these universal issues and promotes a vision of integration and accessibility, all presented in our unique theatre style.”
“Following our recent tour to Germany and a successful run in the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, we are thrilled to be performing in Argentina as part of Proyecto 34°S. The visual, non-verbal techniques that we use are perfect to cross over to multi-lingual audiences,” says Tanya. “GUMBO is a production that will also appeal to all members of the family.”
Cast: Rob Murray, Liezl de Kock, Lysander Barends and Marlon Snyders.
Written by: Rob Murray and Floss Adams.
Directed by: Tanya Surtees.
Appropriate for: All ages, deaf & hearing.
Duration: 70 mins.
Genre/Language: Physical theatre - Almost no spoken language, sign language is incorporated into the production.
AWARDS:
• Winner of the 2008 ACT Award: Creative Industries (GUMBO)
• Winner of the 2005 ACT Award: Cultural Development Project of the Year (Tell-Tale Signs)
• Winner of the 2005 WC Award: Disability in Art (Tell-Tale Signs)
Associated Awards:
• Mentee of Irma Albers: Winner of the 2007 Barloworld ARTWORKS Mentor of the Year Award
• Bird's Eye View: Winner of the 2006 ACT Award: Most Successful ACT-Funded Project
EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS:
• “Fast, furious, hard-hitting, delicate and tragic, laced with sharp humour… Gumbo resonates with the audience, offering a unique means through which they can explore themselves, their history and their place in the world, engaging with different and new ways of communicating”
THE STAR
• “Endearing…amusing… powerful… perfectly knit cast”
Artsmart
• “The impact of the story hits you like a hangover…”
The Weekender
• "…exciting physical theatre…”
Ismail Mahomed
• “…unique theatrical experience…pioneering work…”
Cape Times
• “…great theatre…complex, dark and thrilling”
The Sunday Times
• “…top-notch physical humour…slick…light-hearted and entertaining…”
Cape Argus Tonight
• “…intriguing…magnificent…don’t miss it”
Artslink
Other selected productions:
• Every year, Every day, I am walking
• Living in strange lands
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