German puppeteer visits arts centre in Ekurhuleni
His tour, which began in Gauteng and is currently in Mpumalanga, will also take him to Limpopo, the Northern Cape, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape.
Professional actor, puppeteer and theatre anthropologist Alexej Vancl (48) from Germany visited the Rhoo Hlatshwayo Arts Centre in Daveyton on February 12 and 13 to mentor the cast of the Women in Puppetry (WIP) Theatre Programme ahead of their upcoming performances.
Vancl, who is known for his expertise in puppetry and theatrical storytelling, worked closely with the cast, providing technical guidance and artistic insight on how to enhance their production.
The WIP Theatre Programme, sponsored by the National Arts Council and presented by the Mdu Group, consists of talented female artists from Daveyton and Boksburg.
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The production will be staged at the Rhoo Hlatshwayo Arts Centre on March 7 for a preview performance, followed by shows at Sibikwa Arts Centre on March 14 and 15, before moving to the Dumisani Masilela Theatre in Germiston, with the final date yet to be confirmed.
The programme aims to empower women and youth through puppetry and will run for four months, providing participants with comprehensive training in various aspects of puppetry, including its history, script development, puppet-making, manipulation techniques, costume design, and prop creation.
Vancl noted that dance and puppetry are closely related and observed that, compared to other countries, South Africans have a natural ability to dance and integrate their culture into puppetry, which creates a unique energy.
He shared that during the workshop, he taught participants essential skills and techniques, including breathing control and interacting with a puppet.
“As a puppeteer, you must connect your breathing with the puppet. When the hands move, the whole body should move to create a connection with the puppet. In terms of interaction, a performer needs to pause, look at the puppet, and consider what the puppet is thinking.
“You must believe in the puppet and bring attention to its role,” said Vancl.
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According to Vancl, he is also in South Africa to research contemporary and traditional art. Vancl, who is visiting the country for a second time, said he has noticed that local artists from rural villages are often underestimated both nationally and internationally.
His tour, which began in Gauteng and is currently in Mpumalanga, will also take him to Limpopo, the Northern Cape, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape.
