Theatre Arts • Methodist Church Hall • Cnr Milton Road and Wesley Street • Observatory • 7925 • Cape Town

Ballingskap / Elubhacweni

Physical Theatre / Drama
Written by Khanya NGCUKA | Co-directed by Khanya NGCUKA and Kayla VAN DER MERWE | Choreographed by Kayla VAN DER MERWE | Devised in collaboration with performers Lerato SOTSHINGA, Naesha SAMUELS, Asakhe ZIBI, Lusiwe ZUNGU, Megan SMITH, Tumelo GWANSURA-DURAND, Sibahle MHLONGO, Tameryn VAN WYK, Funeka ZONDI, Ngcali JAFTA, Thalia MASON, Amahle MAZIBUKO, Zoë JENIKER and, Lea VAN DER MWERWE.
PG 14 Strong Language

Ballingskap/Elubhacweni is an embodied and textual exploration of exile. Looking at the different forms, such as exile from one's birthplace, exile from oneself, and even exile from one’s language. 

Exile in simple terms is the removal of oneself from one's nativity, and our starting point of exploration, will commence with experiences of removal.

Exile as we know it in South Africa, is a politically loaded term. Activists were exiled forcefully, while others exiled themselves voluntarily. The duality between the voluntary and involuntary will be showcased through the four elements. The creative landscape breaks between earth, air, fire and water to unpack the historical impact and the reality of how exile shows up in oneself and our communities today. 

The AFDA Cape Town Dean had a vision for an AFDA theatre production to be professionally staged, with students and alumni as performers. Two theatre-makers and lecturers in the Live performance department were then commissioned to devise a production with the students. Kayla with a strong background in physical theatre, and Khanya with a background in writing, were entrusted with this task

They found joined curiosity in the concept of exile. The history of it and the reality that still remains today. Their desire for this product is to offer the performers an opportunity to refine and grow their craft, to explore their creative freedom and to ultimately craft a professional production outside of the safety of an institution. 

Through devising, creative expression and play, the team aims to build a world where audiences are invited to experience their questions, ideas and opinion on exile in the body, exile in one's language and the literal exile which is to be removed. 

Exile will be reimagined through the four elements, water, air, fire and wind. A sensory experience that they are excited to share. 

CREATIVE TEAM


Khanya Ngcuka is a theatre maker, performer, facilitator  and teacher from the Eastern Cape, and currently based in Cape Town.  She obtained a Masters degree at Rhodes University, where she specialised in Applied theatre and directing for theatre. She is interested in the lived experiences of the marginalised, and their translations into theatre forms. Awards Khanya has won include, three Standard Bank Ovation awards in the silver and bronze and blue categories from the National Arts festival. She received the Rhodes University top 100 Alan Gray Leadership award in Arts, sports and society.


Kayla van der Merwe is a teacher, theatre-maker and mover, who graduated from Stellenbosch University with her BA Hons in Drama, specializing in Physical Theatre. She is currently teaching at AFDA Cape Town. Kayla has directed and performed in many theatre productions, performing at KKNK and Woordfees. Last year she debuted remnant at Theatre Arts. Directed and created by herself and Kirsten Schouw, remnant was a Physical Theatre production that moved the story of a grieving daughter evolving through the multiplicity of grief. Above all else, Kayla's heart lies in theatre and educating and empowering young adults. She aims to create environments where creative freedom is explored safely through play, deep listening and intentional curiosity.