Music And Theatre Festival Feast at the Masque Theatre Puts Ability On The Map

The Chaeli Campaign presents a line up of great South African music and theatre at the Ability Festival from 4 to 7 March at the Masque Theatre in Muizenburg. Fun for all the family, the festival features a programme of top-class theatre, dance and great music, while aiming to grow the conversation about ability/disability and inclusion in South Africa through the arts. The festival offers art that explores ability as well as providing a platform for artists who are themselves disabled to showcase their talent.

The programme includes acclaimed productions WARRIOR ON WHEELS, directed by Jayne Batzofin (KARDIAVALE, PRUTTEL), and IN THE WINGS, directed by Philip Rademeyer of the multi-award-winning Rust Cooperative.

Based on Deidre Gower's book and originally produced in collaboration with UNIMA, WARRIOR ON WHEELS is a fantasy tale of a warrior destined for great things and even greater adventures. Helped by a forest full of fire fairies, he must battle the dark shadow of Fear in his journey to discover everything he was born to be. Aimed at ages 7 to 11, the show is a captivating story for the whole family. It features the talented cast of Richard September (RONDOMSKRIK, NAT); Iman Isaacs (ZULU, FULL STOPS ON YOUR FACE); Jessica McCarthy (OUROBOROS, I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU'RE BREATHING) and Siphumeze Khundayi (HOLA AFRICA; BONFIRE THEATRE PLAYBACK COMPANY).

IN THE WINGS is a touching original play that tells the story of two sisters as they battle to work past their limitations to create the future the rest of the world sometimes fails to see. It is a story of dreams and overcoming the obstacles that get in the way of realising those dreams. Touching and relatable, IN THE WINGS features legendary actress Bo Petersen (STATEMENTS AFTER AN ARREST UNDER THE IMMORALITY ACT, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE); Danieyella Rodin, who was nominated for a Naledi Theatre Award for her role in the production; Emma Kotze (SALT, MIRAKEL) and Daniel Richards (OTHELLO, FERGUS OF GALLOWAY). Choreography is by Nicola Elliot.

There will also be an exciting first-time collaboration between the Chaeli Dancers and musician Natasha Meister, who has performed with a host of South African stars such as Arno Carstens, Jimmy Dludlu and Karen Zoid and whose single, "Safe In The Silence", was a hit on national radio and TV. The Chaeli Dancers comprise of students that take part in The Chaeli Campaign's regular dance classes. Additionally, submissions to the organisation's Arts and Poetry Call will be exhibited in the foyer of the theatre and open to the public daily.

In partnership with ASSITEJ South Africa, the Festival will also offer a schools' programme, with workshops and discussions after the theatre performances. The Chaeli Campaign has also collaborated with multiple-award winning visual theatre company FTH:K and Jazz Hands, a South African Sign Language interpreting team, to make the Saturday performances of the Ability Festival accessible to a Deaf audience.

"We are delighted to be collaborating with a group of talented South African artists to bring this fun and groundbreaking festival to the Masque Theatre," says CEO of The Chaeli Campaign, Zelda Mycroft. "In turning the theatre into a festival hub, with music, dance, theatre, art and educational workshops, we are aiming to initiate, engage and develop the conversation about ways to address disability/ability through the arts."

The Chaeli Campaign aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of children with disabilities by mobilising their minds and bodies through a range of programmes. In addition, it runs a nationwide advocacy programme to promote awareness of and advancement for the disabled community. The NPO was founded eleven years ago by Chaeli Mycroft, who was diagnosed as being cerebral palsied at 11 months, her sister Erin and family friends, Tarryn, Justine and Chelsea Terry (between the ages of six and 12), because of Chaeli's need for a motorised wheelchair. After raising R20 000 in just seven weeks it was decided to formalise The Chaeli Campaign as a non-profit organisation and continue to help other children with disabilities in South Africa.

ASSITEJ South Africa is a registered NPO which operates as a networking platform for people working with or interested in theatre for children and young people. It aims to promote and foster high quality theatre for children and young people, to raise standards within the industry, to increase access and awareness, to be an advocate for the right of every child to arts education in schools, and to build relationships within the sector locally, nationally, across the continent and globally.

The schedule for the Ability Festival is:

Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 March

10:00 - WARRIOR ON WHEELS
11:00 - Schools Workshop
14:00 - IN THE WINGS
15:00 - Schools Workshop
19:00 - WARRIOR ON WHEELS

Friday 6 March

10:00 - WARRIOR ON WHEELS
11:00 - Schools Workshop
14:00 - IN THE WINGS
15:00 - Schools Workshop
19:00 - IN THE WINGS, followed by Natasha Meister in collaboration with The Chaeli Dancers (Double Bill)

Saturday 7 March

10:00 - WARRIOR ON WHEELS
19:00 - IN THE WINGS, followed by Natasha Meister in collaboration with The Chaeli Dancers (Double Bill)

Tickets to a single show cost R50 and for a double bill tickets cost R100. To book, contact The Masque on (021) 788-1898 or bookings@masquetheatre.co.za. For the programme and more information visit www.chaelicampaign.co.za.

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