Amanda Lane replies to Matthew Krouse’s accusation that the line-up of Another One Night Stand is too white
It is with a heavy heart that I write this, for it is my belief that one’s actions speak one’s truth. However, in my capacity as creative director of Another One Night Stand, I have a duty to honour our sponsors, our audiences and, most importantly, the 250 artists who have contributed to this festival.
As such, I have no choice but to respond to Matthew Krouse’s defamatory Theatre Pick of the Week critique of Another One Night Stand (August 3).
“Johannesburg’s theatre scene is alive and well and thriving in an apartheid state of its own making. It’s that time of year when all the white practitioners slap on their make-up …” wrote Krouse.
Considering the fact that Krouse did not attend our press launch and wrote his article before viewing the work, I can only assume that he is not in full possession of the facts.
One Night Stand (the original work) was created to provide a platform for new South African work to be created work that challenges the theatrical and social restrictions of the past and reflects the brave and complex reality of South Africa today.
This festival is designed to empower artists by liberating them from the financial implications of venue hire, publicity, registration fees and so on, thereby providing artists the space to focus on what they do best.
It has been devised and produced by four actors and an artist, on the price of an overseas air ticket and a pair of Gucci shoes.
The magic ingredients that hold this festival together are generosity, love, equality and respect. Our doors are open to anyone who believes in those things. We rely on the media to translate this message to artists and audiences alike. This year, in keeping with our ethos and the digital revolution, Another One Night Stand opened its doors into the parallel medium of film. We have given 35 filmmakers the task of shooting 60-second movies in one continuous shot, within 24 hours. These Quickies are showing in a specially created peep show booth in the Wits Theatre foyer.
I trust that audiences will find these films as diverse, charming and inspiring as the South Africans who made them.
The primary reason for creating this film platform was to create a hands-on film school for seven students from Alexandra and Soweto seven 20-year olds, who six months ago, without the education or financial means, could see no chance of reaching their dreams.
For the past three months they have worked under the mentorship of some of this country’s finest talent. The success of this process is exhibited in the two films they collectively made films that stand equal in calibre to those made by the professionals who taught them.
In short, Krouse, the most racist thing attached to Another One Night Stand is your comment a pathetic attempt to destroy the spirit and expression of extraordinary people.
The details
Another One Night Stand continues at the Wits Theatre, Jorissen Street, Braamfontein. Until August 25 see Clare Stopford’s Chasing Chairs and For Better, For Wors. Book at Computicket. Tel: (011) 717?1372