Musical will teach children about trust at State Theatre
"Chokwe's interest in animals has enabled her to produce children’s musicals on the survival of animals and struggles they face."
Storyteller’s fascination with animals has her and cast tapping into the jungle for an Elephant’s Dream.
Shalla Chokwe’s interest in animals has enabled her to produce children’s musicals on the survival of animals and struggles they face.
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The musical is currently on at the SA State Theatre in Pretoria.
Chokwe tells a story of how an elephant’s dream about a swallow leads the animals to pray for the drought to end after being “sold a dream” by a leader of the group.
“When reality strikes, the elephant discusses how a swallow and the lion, the king of the jungle, will lead the group into a place of hope. They never get to that place as it doesn’t exist and the swallow takes the blame,” she explained.
“The animals could not accept a small bird, like the swallow, as their leader. But the animals eventually backed up the small bird.”
This intriguing yet educational play aims to highlight certain aspects of trust, friendship and leadership – a subject humans can also relate to, says the producer.
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The production can teach children that they need to be vigilant and should not just trust anyone.
Chokwe started her acting and producing career 20 years ago with a group called Amandla Productions House in North West.
She has performed in Umantombi the Market Theatre Laboratory and Nonofo (arts council).
In 2001, she joined Mmabana Arts Foundation group called Badiragatsi to bring school set works such as Julius Caesar, Maru, Dintshontsho Tsa Lerato and Mmasaikategang A Magodimo.
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Chokwe has spread her wings further to write scripts and direct musicals for children such as Kweku the Spider.
“In 2004 she was admitted to the Tshwane University of Technology to study drama.
She has also performed in Maru (Windybrow), Relativity (Grahamstown festival), Tselane and The Giant (State Theatre) and The Black Hermit (also State Theatre).
Her cast member, Nkamogeleng Lebeloane said: “I was happy to be cast in this production. The musical will teach the children a lot about dealing with life’s challenges.”
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