After 15 years of creating amazing theatre which has taken them around the world, into factories, theatres, under thorn trees, and into parks, Ellis & Bheki have now gone their different ways as makers of theatre.
Who we are
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We are Bheki Mkhwane and Ellis Pearson, a unique South African team. We worked together for 15 years because we shared a passion for the same kind of theatre. Bheki's background is in township theatre and his love for Gibson Kente's work; Ellis is rooted in the physical theatre as taught by L'Ecole Jacques le Coq in Paris. We combined these different influences and the richness of our diverse lives in a way to create our own style for which we became so well-known. We swopped our stories and shared our cultures in ways that mutually influenced our lives and work. |
Our mission was to inspire people to be positive about the transformation of South Africa and, by extension, the transformation of any country, community or business. We helped people to be more open and playful, and so more creative and resourceful in their own fields. Masters of the art of entertaining while delivering a profound and universal message, combined with our unique style of theatre, enabled us to tour our work all over the world, including non-English speaking countries.
This work is still continued through younger actors whom we have influenced and trained.
Biographies:
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About Ellis From a very early age Ellis devoted himself to a very wide range of pursuits including painting, creating music, inventing contraptions and performing as a magician - so it is not surprising that he was described by a WEEKLY MAIL & GUARDIAN journalist as "a post-modern renaissance man". He studied full time for nine years. Graphic design as well as painting and sculpture preceded studies in theatre which culminated in an intensive two year course in mime, movement and theatre at the renowned ECOLE JACQUES LECOQ in Paris. Since 1992 Ellis has worked very successfully as a free-lance actor, director, painter (with several one-man exhibitions to date), multi-instrumental musician and composer. He has won two major awards as a film actor and has a passion to write and direct films, but his true ambition is to master the backward aerial somersault! All of Ellis' projects show his deep South African roots and his love for all humanity. Ellis is currently living in Australia. |
About Bheki Bheki Mkhwane grew up in KwaMashu Township. Poor, street-wise and a formidable football player, he was inspired by the legendary Gibson Kente to become an actor. His youth did not stop him from forming many amateur township theatre groups so, by the time he met Ellis, he was already a skillful performer with great passion and energy. From street-wise to worldly-wise, Bheki's great range as an actor has enabled him to work with major theatre companies (encompassing a range of plays from Shakespeare to Athol Fugard), host television shows, work as a film actor, develop his superb talent as a story teller and so tour the world with his own work. Bheki's combination of Zulu chic and urban sass means that he is not only a role model for many young people, but is shortly to enter the race for future president of South Africa! |
