Theatre

BOY CALLED RUBBISH is a truly South African legend of a child on a journey from degradation and deprivation to the discovery of his real worth.

Using a handful of props, all of which could probably be found on a rubbish dump, Ellis and Bheki tell the story of a little boy called Rubbish who grows up in the adverse circumstances of a squatter (refugee) camp and tormented by his step-mother, Ma Dudula. Luckily, his special, imaginary friend gives him great courage and encourages him so that he eventually becomes the hero of the local community. Ellis plays Rubbish, Bheki the rest of the world.

Alternative Title: Amazwi Omoya (The Words Of The Wind)

This madcap adventure is set in a community of birds. Using the imagination of the audience, a broken umbrella, a stick, a bit of cloth, the actors conjure from the air an ostrich, two conniving crows, a vain peacock, a drunk duck, a chicken, hadedas.

The elders of the bird community decide to hold a Peace Song Competition to foster community spirit and co-operation. Alas! It is not as easy as they may have wished. Each bird has its own ideas and, come hell or high water (and they both do!), there is no agreement.

Until ?

This new piece, commissioned by The Standard Bank National Festival of the Arts will have its premiere in Grahamstown in July 2001. It is created and performed by Ellis Pearson and Bheki Mkhwane and presented by Sue Clarence Promotions.

A marriage of people who fear and distrust each other cannot last long.

In our story, Ziko, a young man from Dombozo village has fallen in love with the beautiful Luluma of the Mpushu people. But the smoke from the fires of hatred have long blinded the eyes of the people of these two villages.

Ellis Pearson and Brendan Jury have combined their love for music and theatre. CELLO TO CHECKERS PACKET is beyond words. It is powerful music created in an entertaining and theatrical way. Using surprising objects and an array of musical instruments you are taken on an emotional journey that begins with a breath and ends with an orchestral explosion. This is for adults and other young people.

This is the story of the rise and fall of Moses Mkhize, the most engaging and captivating con-man in the history of South Africa. A baby is rescued from a storm water drain. Would he become our future Minister of Water Affairs or would the tide turn for Moses?

Created by Ellis Pearson and Clive Essame, with script development assistance from Bheki Mkhwane
Performed by Ellis Pearson and Sdumo Mtshali
Directed by Brian Pearce
Produced by Sue Clarence Promotions

A story about how society sees difference.

Impisi is the Zulu for hyena. We, the two legged ones, have fixed ideas about this animal, describing it as an ugly, misshapen scavenger; they also have fixed ideas about the majestic king of the jungle. In this parable Hyena helps Lion to take his rightful place in society, despite an accident which leaves him far from physically capable ...or so one would imagine.

Once upon a time in an African village... there was a sign sent by... the ancestors? Perhaps. The village was divided by disagreement and friction. There were rumblings and the rumblings turned to thunder. The skies vented their anger and the rains came. KABOOM! is a universal parable of great simplicity which the audience experiences through the lives of the people of an archetypal African village. Because KABOOM! was created at the end of the nineties in South Africa, it embodies the spirit of ubuntu and the message of masekhane. (Ubuntu is the feeling of true humanity; masekhane is need for nation building.)

SIRKUS KAPUT! is a one man performance and combines all the elements of theatre for which Ellis is so well-known and loved - mime, clowning, sound pictures, dangerous fun and some daring tricks - which creates a piece of provocative, eccentric theatre that plays wonderful games with your imagination. Comedy that appeals to humans, extra-terrestrials, dogs and chickens!!

CREATED AND PERFORMED BY ELLIS PEARSON AND BHEKI MKHWANE
PRESENTED BY SUE CLARENCE PROMOTIONS

"Life is a journey" - and this incredible journey is full of opportunities. Bheki and Ellis are aware of this and try to live their lives in this way. In their new piece of theatre, SKADONK, they invite you to do the same.

Come to a patch of lawn, a soccer field, the Sydney Opera House and they will take you on the journey of the central character, Big Ben Moeketsie. It is a remarkable story - actually a true story - that is fleshed out by incidents in Ellis and Bheki’s own lives and the lives of the people they know. It is a story of sacrifice that will move you and make you laugh.

Commissioned for the 2003 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown
Created and performed by Ellis Pearson & Bheki Mkhwane
Produced by Sue Clarence Promotions

People are gathering in Sinako village. It has become the village of secrets. Much has been hidden and the villagers won't talk. Truth is scarce. Food is scarce and when there is scarcity, human dignity is the first thing to be lost. But, there is great excitement among the people:

CREATED & PERFORMED BY ELLIS PEARSON & BHEKI MKHWANE
PRESENTED BY SUE CLARENCE PROMOTIONS

A circle is drawn. People are gathering. Two magic men are present. Something is going to happen … …. There are glances ….. sounds ….. and the energy is increasing. Slowly, an extraordinary world is conjured in the hears of everyone there. It is the world of Sinako village. A stranger appears. Why has Mr Pumpkin Man invited him? The Great Prophet is angry. Nxaloti, the quiet one, goes mad. Ma Gumbi and her friend, Florence, betray the village and things will never be the same again.

Commissioned for the 2005 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown
Created and performed by Ellis Pearson & Bheki Mkhwane
Produced by Sue Clarence Promotions

As human beings we are slow to reach out a helping hand until a massive disaster engulfs us. For a short while "ME" is washed away. Human differences are swept aside. Just for now the world becomes one community. We are drowned in a tide of emotion.

…A ritual of extraordinary behaviour ….