STARBRITES

In 1990, Barney Simon, co-founder of the Market Theatre, workshopped and wrote the play Starbrites with Handspring. The political climate had changed. In the heady days after Nelson Mandela's release from prison, Simon wanted to make a fable about regeneration.    A down-and-out musician, living in a Soweto shack, has his spirit rekindled by the infectious optimism of his adoring young nephew from the country. The uncle and the nephew were human. All the other characters were puppets of varying sizes: small perspective puppets for the background of Soweto street life, gossiping shadow puppet neighbours in windows, alley cats and life-size shebeen queens. At the end, the uncle's long-lost love, the singer of his band, returns as a life-size Bunraku figure. Bunraku is the traditional puppet theatre in Japan where puppet manipulators are in full view of the audience.   After an 11-week season at the Market Theatre, Starbrites toured in 1991 to summer festivals in London and the United Kingdom, Dublin in the Republic of Ireland and Copenhagen in Denmark. That year Handspring received a special Vita Award for Contributions to South African Theatre and Starbrites was voted Production of The Year of A New South African Play by the Vita Awards panel.

Credits | BACK TO STARBRITES

Created and directed by: Barney Simon, Arthur Molepo, Doreen Mazibuko, Busi Zokufa, Fats Dibeko, Adrian Kohler, Basil Jones. Musical director: Duze Mahlobo Lighting: Mannie Manim Puppets and design: Handspring Puppet Company Production: The Market Theatre, the London International Festival of Theatre (in association with Arts Admin), the Chicago International Theatre Festival and the Tricycle Theatre.

In brief | BACK TO STARBRITES

Copyright Handspring Puppet Company 2002 | Feedback