Storytelling by: David Oamen
Directed and Choreographed by: Obakeng Kgwasi
Conceptualised by: The Cast and Crew
Language: English
Genre: Bosophytric Theatre
Dates: 15 - 17 May 2024
Time: 18:00
Venue: Lawn in front of the Scaena Theatre. Entrance through Scaena Theatre foyer.
Age restriction: PG13
Theatre of physicality demonstrates how the body knows things about which the mind is ignorant
Every event has an explanation that may be unknown at present but should ultimately prove knowable. Known Unknown Unknown Known is an abstract/contemporary performance that explores the deep desire of a man who always wants and demands more from the world and safer the greed that dictates his thoughts and actions, which are reflected upon his bodily movement expression as a tool of communication rather than words/text. Using Bosophytric Theatre, we aim to allow the spectators to experience man’s thoughts, actions, and emotions through bodily movement, that is, the action of the physical cause of the gigantic elements and organic connectivity in its form of nature unfolding in space and time. The performative work explored by performers strives to resonate with a form of therapy which aims to cure mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind. Therefore, what man experiences in the unconscious is the whole structure of language, which communicates his desire within the physical environment.
The world is a stage where everyone plays their own characters, and everyone's hidden mask is articulated and expressed through bodily movement, images, and gestures. It is worth noting that what is unknown must be made present by an awareness of its absence. Consequently, the performance seeks to demonstrate that the organic body is an all-rounder of all human expression that always existed among men, always present and apprehended for its real value of communication. The rationale of the performance is that each word articulated by individuals is an impulse reaction from their thoughts conveyed through the body, for “the body knows things about which the mind is ignorant too”. Thus, the performance strives to communicate the narrative discourse of the story as a concept and cultural practice.
“Art, like an onion, reveals its full meaning only after one has peeled off its various, deeper and more hidden layers. One knows the onion’s secret the minute one cuts into its surface, and one’s eyes tear”, says director Obakeng Kgwasi. “With art, similarly, the most important secrets are there on the exterior for everyone to see, whether conveyed through form, materials, gestures and attire or identified with related language. It is only a question of learning how, where and when to look. The paradox of secrecy lies in the fact that the most important secrets are those that are open to public view. Therefore, that delivered through text/ dialogue in theatre can also be delivered through bodily movement in performance. Thus, we continue to ask ourselves what man's secret is.” The director’s posture is that man’s journey and interpretation of life is, first and foremost, an experience “
Known Unknown Unknown Known”. Within this concept, “every possible idea has a complement, and every complementary pair generates its own complement. While every pair of complements is balanced, equilibrium and harmony are maintained within the whole”.
Tickets available at webtickets.co.za or door.