Part of the Voices from the South digital showcase at Edinburgh Fringe, AnotherKind uses textual notes, film clips, images, and narration to take a step into the rehearsals and planning for a new production during the pandemic.
In just 22 minutes, this has both a documentary and a dramatic feel. It shows how theatre is both ephemeral and lasting and how “living archives” are important to cultural understanding.
It tackles historical imagery from Africa as interpreted by others, while offering a joyful exploration of the culture as a living monument of today.
By sharing parts of the process including typed notes, prompts and pictures, it allows us an insight into how a production is formed and shaped before it reaches an audience.
AnotherKind draws on Amy Louise Wilson’s award-winning play Another Kind of Dying which follows a young man’s journey from the rural Eastern Cape to the city of Johannesburg.
The piece plays with convention as well as exploring what imagination can do. It isn’t just about fine honing of a performance, but about understanding characters, having scope to make mistakes, and utilising creative thinking.
A fascinating glimpse behind the veil of putting on a show, AnotherKind celebrates freedom, friendship, and focus.
Featuring Aphiwe Livi, this piece is one of three from The Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town.
You can watch AnotherKind on-demand until 28 Aug with tickets here.
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