The Lucky Pakkie programme runs until 31 March at the 2024 KKNK. More information here.
Jane Mpholo, recently nominated for Outstanding Actor in Theatre by the Department of Arts and Culture’s Cultural and Creative Industries Awards initiative, talks to Naomi Meyer about the Lucky Pakkie programme, currently at the KKNK.
Jane Mpholo (photo: provided)
Jane, you are involved with the Lucky Pakkie programme at the KKNK. Please tell me about this unusual item?
I am one of the 12 commissioned artists for the Lucky Pakkie programme. This is a very fun initiative where artists are granted 15 minutes, unconventional space, 30 chairs and two sets of lights … and what they come up with is entirely up to them.
Are you provided with a script? Or do you make up your own lucky packet?
No, you do not get a script. I decided to bring my script-in-progress called And ... action. I am performing with Rondo Mpiti, and we both graduated from the UFS Drama Department. Even though I wrote the script, the directing is by us as an ensemble.
What is it about?
It is a satire following the lives of two prostitutes who escape their reality by being on a talk show that roasts everything and everyone. It tackles social ills, investigates politics and so on. The show is driven by the concept of shoes and what they say about people who wear them. The ladies step into the shoes of those they want to understand, or make fun of. It gets you laughing, thinking and rethinking your choices. It’s a crazy fun piece to shine a spotlight on important things that affect South Africans, using humour. The 10-minute extract of the show made its debut at Teksmark JHB 2023, and is being beautifully received at the moment.
This does indeed sound unconventional! How are you experiencing this?
This is a very challenging and exciting platform where we have 1-4 shows per day, depending on how many audiences come through for a session. In an hour, audiences travel from tent to tent to watch the four extracts. Sometimes it gets so hectic that we have four back-to-back shows. I have to say, it is also a very fulfilling experience, where you have the freedom to experiment each day.
Here is more information on the Lucky Pakkie shows.
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