1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:04,360 Speaker 1: We're starting today with a theater related conversation, and just 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:06,880 Speaker 1: before we dive into that, I want to tell you 3 00:00:06,920 --> 00:00:09,520 Speaker 1: some other theater related news that has just popped into 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: my inbox. I am so excited to be going to 5 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:15,120 Speaker 1: the Artscape Theater tonight to see Dracula, the new ballet 6 00:00:15,120 --> 00:00:18,279 Speaker 1: production from Cape Town City Ballet. And we did mention 7 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: when I spoke to David Nixon earlier in the week, 8 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:23,440 Speaker 1: I think it was a Monday, that tickets were selling 9 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: very fast and moving fast, particularly for the first couple 10 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: of shows. Well, confirmation from Cape Tan City Ballet that 11 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: the first two evening performances are already sold out, and 12 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:36,440 Speaker 1: that the rest of the season is selling so fast 13 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:39,440 Speaker 1: that they have in fact added two additional performances to 14 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: the run, and those are going to be an afternoon 15 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 1: matinee next Sunday, the twenty second of March, and an 16 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: additional evening show on Thursday, the twenty sixth March at 17 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:51,560 Speaker 1: seven pm. So if you had been planning to go 18 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:53,800 Speaker 1: and had gone to try and buy tickets and found 19 00:00:53,800 --> 00:00:56,680 Speaker 1: to your disappointment that they were already gone, please consider 20 00:00:56,720 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: supporting one of those two extra performances, which have just 21 00:00:59,400 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: been added to the run of Cape Town City Ballets. 22 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:03,240 Speaker 2: Dracula. 23 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:06,679 Speaker 1: Take that, Timothy Shallamy, as they say in the classics. 24 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: All right, that's good news for the ballet fans, and 25 00:01:09,240 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: see you at the theater this evening. For now, though, 26 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:13,600 Speaker 1: I want to tip you off about a theater piece 27 00:01:13,640 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 1: that is going to be having its Cape Town debut 28 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:19,480 Speaker 1: next week at the Homecoming Center, which is of course 29 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 1: previously the ass Or Feuguard Theater. And this is a 30 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: work by a young theater maker, South African born, Cape 31 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: Town raised, and a new production which he has both 32 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:32,200 Speaker 1: written and will be directing. It is a sports drama 33 00:01:32,319 --> 00:01:35,039 Speaker 1: called Gloves Off and it has already been staged in 34 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:37,119 Speaker 1: the Netherlands, but it is going to be the first 35 00:01:37,120 --> 00:01:39,360 Speaker 1: time that it is being performed here in South Africa 36 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:42,320 Speaker 1: when it hits the stage at the Homecoming Center next week. 37 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:45,119 Speaker 1: A Gloves Off is the story of childhood friends turned 38 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,120 Speaker 1: bitter rivals in the boxing ring, and the show is 39 00:01:48,160 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 1: going to be staged in Cape Town next week. As 40 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: I said, it's my pleasure to welcome its writer and director, 41 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: William Macon, who joins me on the line now, William, 42 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:55,840 Speaker 1: welcome to Cape Talk. 43 00:01:55,880 --> 00:01:57,040 Speaker 2: Great to have you with us. 44 00:01:57,640 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 3: Yes, Tripper, thank you very much for having me. 45 00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 2: It's a huge pleasure. 46 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:03,000 Speaker 1: Tell us a little bit about your journey into theater 47 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: before we talk about this show. 48 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 2: What's the story. 49 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 3: I've always I've always brought up with theater and the 50 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 3: peripheral of what I was doing in school in drama 51 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 3: clubs and you know, putting on productions that happened in 52 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:22,560 Speaker 3: the schooling environment, and then into university it was still 53 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 3: there in terms of productions that were taking place where 54 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 3: I'd been studying in the Netherlands and been involved in 55 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 3: some of the writing and some of the producing, and 56 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 3: then eventually it led to my own kind of once 57 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 3: and I guess initiative to put this together first time 58 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:44,680 Speaker 3: when I'd done this overseas. 59 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,799 Speaker 1: Okay, So that explains the Netherlands. So you were studying there, 60 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,160 Speaker 1: which is why it had its debut there. William, Let's 61 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:52,240 Speaker 1: talk about why boxing. Is it a sport that you 62 00:02:52,360 --> 00:02:55,040 Speaker 1: personally practiced or had some kind of interest in, or 63 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 1: were exposed to growing up. 64 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 3: Yes, I'd been doing boxing most of my life, started 65 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 3: quite young, and then it just kept it going. 66 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: Okay, So the two aspects of your life coming together, 67 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,079 Speaker 1: the love of theater and the sport that you were 68 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,880 Speaker 1: involved in, and so the creation of this piece. Now, 69 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: before we do anything else, I think we need to 70 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: tell our audience a little bit more about the plot 71 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 1: of gloves Off. 72 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 2: Won't you tell us a little bit more about the show? 73 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 3: Well, gloves Off is about a South African rivalry, as 74 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 3: you said mentioned earlier, held in the ring of boxing. 75 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:30,200 Speaker 3: It's about Billy, the kid in Corsey and his rival 76 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 3: Shoe the Prince Brink and their childhood friends turned rivals, 77 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 3: and the story is about their rivalry, it's about the 78 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 3: characters associated with them. It's about the glitz and the glam, 79 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 3: the session of the sport, the love loss, and then 80 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 3: all this drama that comes together in a five round 81 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:51,559 Speaker 3: fully choreographed fight and a ring on the stage. 82 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: That must be something to put together a five round 83 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: choreographed fight, because I was going to ask you, does 84 00:03:56,480 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 1: the boxing happen off stage? From what you've said, absolutely not, 85 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 1: it's front and center. Tell us a little bit more 86 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 1: about the challenges of creating a boxing ring in a 87 00:04:04,160 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: theater space. 88 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 3: Well, you know, putting in a boxing ring in the 89 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 3: theater space is that well, you know, if you can 90 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 3: think about it all. Boxing is rarely this great theatrical 91 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 3: and entertainment, so we're just trying to replicate that sense 92 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 3: of spectacle and constructing this right in the center and 93 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 3: then having all its glory for the audience. 94 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:32,040 Speaker 1: And the choreography of a fight, I know, and I've 95 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 1: had a couple of conversations over the years with professional 96 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:37,440 Speaker 1: wrestlers as well about how much is choreographed in those 97 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 1: kind of entertainment of fight sports. I think boxing we 98 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: still take for granted that a lot of boxing is 99 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 1: real and gritty and happening as it appears to not 100 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 1: with people fainting and faking. But William, it's one thing 101 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:53,239 Speaker 1: to do that in a boxing ring with two fighters 102 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: actually fighting, But how do you manage the risk of 103 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:57,919 Speaker 1: putting two actors and asking them to have a go 104 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 1: at one another and not knock to your fellow cast member. 105 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:04,279 Speaker 3: Well, you know, you put a lot, you put a 106 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:07,160 Speaker 3: lot of trust in your in your mate's hand there. Yeah, 107 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 3: maybe it's similar to one of those trust sessions with 108 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,120 Speaker 3: your colleague of falling backwards and hoping you're going to 109 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:16,479 Speaker 3: get caught. So we've been and that just comes from 110 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 3: lots and lots of work with me as I'm actually saying, 111 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 3: one of the boxes and my my mate who who's 112 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 3: Who's Who've come to get a strong companionship and bond 113 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,520 Speaker 3: to rarely trust each other, not you know, knocking our 114 00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 3: teeth outs. 115 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 2: Have there been any injuries in practice? 116 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:44,120 Speaker 3: Well, you know, we we we needed to get comfortable 117 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:47,200 Speaker 3: with each other and then every so often a clove 118 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:49,800 Speaker 3: might fly and you could take a little dink, but 119 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 3: nothing serious or catastrophic touch would. 120 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:56,920 Speaker 1: Let's hope it stays that way. Yeah, for anyone coming 121 00:05:56,960 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 1: into this conversation. Midway, my guest on the line to 122 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: us William Macon, who is the writer and director, and 123 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: I've just learned the co star of a play called 124 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 1: Gloves Off, which is his own creation, a full length 125 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: production that has already had a debut in the Netherlands 126 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: but now comes to the Homecoming Center in Cape Town 127 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 1: for its South African debut. Okay, so you're playing one 128 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: of the leads. Who is your fellow cast member? 129 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 3: Yes, so I'm my fellow cast member and arrival, but 130 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,280 Speaker 3: now quite a good mat of mine is a lefer Matzela. 131 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 3: He is from a Puma Langa, a professionally trained and 132 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:32,840 Speaker 3: studied actor, and amongst the cast there is also a 133 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,480 Speaker 3: Jack Payne who is a local Cape Tonian boy who 134 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 3: plays the coach, and there is a Taylor Ackerman who 135 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 3: is also all professional actors who've banned together. And Taylor 136 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:49,479 Speaker 3: plays the role of Jennifer, who's the fight promoter and 137 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:57,760 Speaker 3: somewhat of a ambitious corporate individual trying to create a 138 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 3: real drama and spectacle out of billions rivalry. 139 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:03,680 Speaker 2: Okay, sounds like fun, all right. 140 00:07:03,720 --> 00:07:05,720 Speaker 1: So while we were trying to get you back there, William, 141 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 1: I did run our listeners through the logistics of the where, 142 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:11,280 Speaker 1: when and how to book tickets, etc. I note that 143 00:07:11,320 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: there is an age restriction of no under thirteens. Just 144 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 1: want to emphasize that again. Please keep it in mind. 145 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 1: Let's talk a little bit about the experience of bringing 146 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:22,080 Speaker 1: it from the Netherlands to Cape Town. You did mention 147 00:07:22,120 --> 00:07:24,200 Speaker 1: that you were studying in the Netherlands when you created 148 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:26,720 Speaker 1: this piece, that it makes sense that you then premiered 149 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: it on the spot in Rotterdam. But William, have you 150 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:30,680 Speaker 1: adapted it at all to bring it back home to 151 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: Cape Town or is it exactly the same piece. 152 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 3: I've adapted it quite I like to think quite citently 153 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:41,240 Speaker 3: for South Africa. When it was done internationally, was done 154 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 3: as a general idea of a boxing story hold within 155 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 3: the realm of wherever. And now we've localized that. Billy, 156 00:07:51,520 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 3: the main character who is training gym is with his 157 00:07:56,320 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 3: coach in fictionalized Woodstock gym and it takes place right 158 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 3: at home. Billy and Job fighting as young fighters for 159 00:08:03,640 --> 00:08:08,880 Speaker 3: the local South African championship in the Sonabo League. And 160 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 3: so really have we see a side of these of 161 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 3: these young fighters trying to make it as these vicious 162 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 3: as they have for ambition and in their future careers, 163 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,920 Speaker 3: and it's all starting out at home. 164 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:30,600 Speaker 1: Okay, Once again, we're in conversation with William Mahon, who 165 00:08:30,640 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 1: is the creator of a show called Gloves Offer. The 166 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: play is set in the boxing ring partly, and it 167 00:08:35,559 --> 00:08:39,400 Speaker 1: is the story of childhood friends turned boxing rivals, and 168 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 1: the show itself includes a five round fully choreographed fight 169 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,400 Speaker 1: as part of the action. Now, William, in terms of 170 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 1: how it feels to bring it home to South Africa, 171 00:08:49,200 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: it's a homecoming for you as well as a South 172 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: African premier for this piece. 173 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,959 Speaker 2: How exciting is that? Are you just delighted? 174 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 1: To have the opportunity to share it with local audiences 175 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:00,439 Speaker 1: or any fears around that. 176 00:09:00,559 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 2: What's it been like for you to bring it back home? 177 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 3: I mean, it is quite amazing to be able to 178 00:09:05,280 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 3: have this opportunity and bring it back home as the 179 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:12,679 Speaker 3: as the time gets nearer, it's becoming more the nerves 180 00:09:12,679 --> 00:09:15,880 Speaker 3: of kicking them all and more because the absolute privilege 181 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:18,320 Speaker 3: of being able to put in at the theater of 182 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:22,079 Speaker 3: the Homecoming Center and in their in their premieres Horse 183 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:25,840 Speaker 3: Star Theater. I mean, it's it's really I'm ast giddy 184 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 3: thinking about it and having been able to have this 185 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 3: opportunity and meet so many amazingly talented creative individuals who 186 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 3: are just go getters and who have this real initiative 187 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 3: and effort and want and how that is culminated together 188 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 3: to be able to make this play. I think it 189 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 3: really encapsulates that that feeling of creativity that exists in 190 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:56,839 Speaker 3: Cape time of this let's go do it, and let's 191 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:59,199 Speaker 3: go let's make it quite proper and nice. 192 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 1: It's really exciting to hear you speak that way about 193 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:06,080 Speaker 1: our local creative arts, especially given that you did leave 194 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 1: Cape Town to go and study Willim from what you're saying, 195 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:10,960 Speaker 1: it sounds like you have a lot of excitement about 196 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:13,600 Speaker 1: the future of theater in South Africa. Is your plan 197 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: to continue bringing pieces back home to Cape Town? Are 198 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: you going to be permanently based in the Netherlands or 199 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:21,480 Speaker 1: what's the plan for the future. 200 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 3: Well, I would love to be able to put as 201 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 3: much productions together here in Cape Town. I think it's 202 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 3: having our experiences and at least gone the taste for 203 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 3: the opportunity and what it's like here. You know. I 204 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 3: would want to be able to have hopefully more opportunities 205 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,440 Speaker 3: to make more productions and work with more amazingly talented 206 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 3: and driven people here, you know. And it's not too 207 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:51,960 Speaker 3: bad being able to be in Cape Town when you 208 00:10:52,000 --> 00:10:52,440 Speaker 3: do it too. 209 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 1: There's a lot to be said for apart from the 210 00:10:55,000 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 1: forty degree heat this week. William's thanks for making time 211 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 1: to speak to us today because I know be incredibly 212 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:04,079 Speaker 1: busy with the final preparations for the opening next week. 213 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,559 Speaker 1: Just to remind listeners again that the opening is the 214 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:09,240 Speaker 1: seventeenth of March and the run is until the twenty first, 215 00:11:09,280 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 1: So that's next week Tuesday to Saturday at the Homecoming 216 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:16,960 Speaker 1: Center STA Theater. Your booking platform is web Tickets and 217 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 1: pricing is from one hundred and eighty round to. 218 00:11:18,880 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 2: Two hundred round a ticket. 219 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: William Macon is the creator of the piece called Gloves 220 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 1: Often willim wishing you a successful run, break a leg 221 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 1: rather than a jawbone or a cheekbone please during the performance. 222 00:11:29,880 --> 00:11:31,840 Speaker 1: And all the best to you and the cast and crew. 223 00:11:32,760 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 3: Well, thank you very much, Pipper and I hope to 224 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 3: see as many people there as possible. 225 00:11:36,240 --> 00:11:38,440 Speaker 2: Thank you very much, great pleasure to have you with us. 226 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: William Macon the writer, the director and one of the 227 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 1: co stars of Gloves Off. 228 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 2: Your booking is on web tickets.