There’s hope for First Physical Theatre
We were horrified to hear that the First Physical Theatre based in G-town was closing down due to lack of funds… Being a dancer is hard on the body, hard on the lifestyle and most of all hard on the pocket… We have much respect for dancers and have three close friends who each spent some of the best times of their lives dancing for First Physical. So naturally we were pretty down abou…
t it. Imagine how they must feel. It’s a hard knock life for artists sometimes.
We are not sure how it happened but it appears that someone managed to get everyone’s spirits back up and the company is now investigating innovative ways of making money. They only need R70 000 a month to survive – surely corporate sponsorship must be the way forward? Anyone have any contacts for them? Let’s save this phenomenal Dance Company. Come on Joburg and ex-Rhodes peeps, show some love. Get in touch with Callum – email him here.
Here’s some info on a recent fund-raising initiative:
Following the First Physical Theatre Company’s announcement that it will release its performers and staff from their contracts due to a drop in funding, the company presented a “Black Tie” fundraising event on Monday 5 June in Grahamstown.
R 26,610 was raised through tickets sales, donations, and an auction towards a fund for the future revival and survival of the company thanks to concerned citizens of Grahamstown.
The evening, packed to capacity, included the premiere of a physical theatre film at the Roxbury cinema, jazz and cocktails, live performance, and an auction of donated items.
The auction’s highest bid was R 4,000 from local teacher and actress Sheena Stannard for a painting donated by Nigel Mullins.
Local business-man Mark Shelton won the bid for a dinner date sponsored by restaurant La Galleria with performer, Nicola Haskins, and donated his winnings to auctioneer Bugs Wilmot who re-auctioned Nicola to the Rhodes University drama department honours class.
Other auction items, numerous prizes and giveaways, catering, drinks, entertainment, and other services were donated and sponsored by individuals, local business, and Rhodes University.
“We were delighted with the show of support from our local community” said Managing Director, Calum Stevenson. “Thank you to the citizens of Grahamstown. We hope that this is the start of a successful campaign to secure funds from further afield to revive the company.”
First Physical currently operates on overheads of R 70,000 per month and is researching future prospects for reviving the company and broadening its revenue base. For further information on how you can help, contact Calum Stevenson on email or call 046-622 3897.
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If you’re in G-town in the Eastern Cape at the beginning of August; make sure to be the first to catch the latest ground-breaking work from Gary Gordon, choreographer deluxe, and the hard-sweating First Physical Theatre dance company.
The First Physical Theatre Company’s highly successful production of “Red Crushed
Velvet” is on at the Rhodes Theatre, Grahamstown, for two nights only.
Celebrating three generations of choreography, “Red Crushed Velvet” premiered at the
National Arts Festival where the company quadrupled box office takings compared to the
previous year.
After a call for proposals, Jeannette Ginslov was commissioned to create a new work for
First Physical. In an intense rehearsal period in May, Ginslov conceived “Part One: Fear
and Laughter” with the company’s six resident performers who reveal personal stories
that amuse, engage and entertain – stories that they would rather have slip quietly away
from public scrutiny.
Ginslov’s process made use of a technique called Alba Emoting ™ and was
“experimental and groundbreaking” said Ginslov. “No – one has yet explored the use of
Alba Emoting(tm) and dance as a means to real emotional display on stage!”
Meantime, Artistic Director Gary Gordon collaborated with seven stunning male
performers (and an “Anthropologist”) in the creation of “Tread”. Subtitled “some
misgivings on the inability of man to step quietly on the ground”, Gordon’s evocative and
haunting new danceplay incorporates specially commissioned music from Francois le
Roux (aka the Ha!Man).
Bailey Snyman re-worked his “Straits” which premiered at the FNB Dance Umbrella in
February. “Straits” is an exquisitely danced journey into personal memories, the need to
remember, and the choice to forget.
“Red Crushed Velvet” plays at the Rhodes Theatre on Friday 5 & Saturday 6 August at 8
pm.
Tickets are available at just R 20 and R15 (concessions) at the Theatre Cafe,
Rhodes Theatre, e-mail , or telephone 046-622 3897.
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