Thobs the Zulu Queen: PRINCESS MAGOGO RISE OF A STAR PLAY

The Play

Princess Magogo the rise of a star.

When I was in Barbados I was inspired to write a play based on a true story of Princess Magogo a Zulu Princess, inspired by my experience on the observation that There is a dying connection with the rich cultures of Africa and Barbados this play, set in the 1900’s is a confirmation of the linkage through culture, to set right understanding of cultural ways of South Africa’s most powerful tribe amaZulu and also highlighting the role and importance of artists and women in preservation of culture and its stories.It highlights the importance of identity, know thyself and self-preservation.

This two part play is based on the true story of Princess Magogo Dinuzulu, the Zulu Princess who revolutionised Zulu tribal music long before apartheid and Nelson Mandela and describes how she was able to bring about an empowering change for women who were never allowed to become praise poets and singers. She is to me like the Bob Marley of Zulu music and inspired as Mariam Makeba and many more and she put South African music on the map of the world. The play explores the culture of the Zulu and through the eyes of Magogo’s takes the audience on an enchanting journey of Zulu expression and song.

I used an all Bajan cast who through hard work and shaping by the director Sonia S Williams were able to sing and dance like Zulus it was an amazing experience the play was staged 2 nights with a great attendance with great reviews too.

Thank you to the Bajan community that supported me through the process and man where their challenges but all was overcome with pure determination of starting something and finishing it and I hope the actors and actresses get the recognition they deserve.

The cast:

Sonia S Williams ( Director )

Sonia Williams is a Performance Artist, Theatre Director, Writer and an Educator in Theatre Arts.Born January at Pleasant Hall, St. Peter in 1967, Sonia migrated to Brooklyn New York in 1979, where she attended Brooklyn Technical High School and Hamilton College, Clinton, New York.

She is also a well-respected director whose credit includes Odale’s Choice, Return to the Source, (excerpts from Mask) written by Kamau Braithwaite, Children of Negus with writings from Kamau and Bruce St. John and Shepherd by Rawle Gibbons of Trinidad and Tobago. She has directed works for National events for the Commission of Pan Africa Affairs and the Prime Minister’s office.

Thobekile Mbanda (writer and producer)

a young African woman from Inchanga Kwa Zulu Natal now residing in Cape Town South Africa currently traveling the world, I am a spoken word artist, story teller, teacher and community activist, my work portrays my deep rooted passion for the well-being of my people, promoting self-love, self-respect, identity and self-sustainment.
My guitar is my courage to speak a companion in inspiring my lyrics and flow. I hold a high respect for poetry and people who call themselves poets for the way I see poetry it is a catalyst of reaching the consciousness of the people who dare listen

Kim Weekes

An aspiring Filmmaker/ Director with an interest in Documentaries as a result of being a part of a training course at the International School of Film and Television EICTV, Cuba, a Graduate with a BFA in Creative Arts at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Arts, UWI Cave Hill, Kim made a decision that would change her life forever

Karole Bee

Carolyn Brathwaite is studied and graduated from the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree in Creative Arts. She is a dancer by nature, a model, an aspiring actress and dance tutor at nursery and secondary school level. She started dancing at the age of 7 with the Country Theatre Workshop and later joined Sankofa productions with whom she performed with at numerous shows. Her modeling career began at the age of 14 and with the confidence she learnt, she won two pageants - Ms Barbados USA 94/95 and Ms. Roots Experience 98/99. She started to pursue her degree at the age of 28 and considered being a dancer that acts. Her mentor Sonia Williams stirred up a passion for Theatre Arts within Carolyn

Oswald Joe

A Dramatist & Spoken Word Artist also leader of Sign Language group "Hands in Unity" NIFCA Bronze & Silver medalist & Reigning King of Emancipation Roots Experience Show 2011.

Matthew Murrell

is an actor, playwright and director. He is the managing and creative director of Yardie Boy Theatre. He has won numerous awards in acting, directing and writing, but right now they serve as paperweights when the wind blows too hard (i live by de sea).

He continues to learn through performing arts. A huge fan of Caribbean art. A Big man with a bigger heart. Always willing to challenge the status quo in his art, then afterwards have a tamarind ball to calm his soul.

Sabrina Mcintosh

Sabrina Mcintosh, i am in the field off landscaping and agriculture,,,i am humble and enjoy being outdoors,,, being in the play means so much to me,,because of the strong love i have for my homeland africa,,to be a part of the play and to be among someone from Africa( Thobikile Mwanda) is an honor

Alan Hutchinson’s Bio

raised in Barbados for the most of my life. My first introduction to the Arts was at U.W.I Cave Hill, when a Film Minor course was first introduced in 2007. The course was then continued over to the Errol Barrow Centre (EBC) the following year, when construction was finished on the building.

In 2009, I was given the opportunity to begin a Bachelor of Science degree in Film/Television at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Upon graduating, I relocated to Los Angeles, California, and worked in the Entertainment industry.

Mark Durant

an economist by profession, has been a part of the creative arts since the early 1990's, from the historic stage play 1627 and All That, to various stage plays on and off the UWI Campus. He was a regular top spot on the UWI Carnival Calypso Competition. He has been drumming since 1999 and has played the embed on many continents, taking the love of the Afro-Caribbean to the world.

AYESHA GIBSON (GILL)

Ayesha graduated top of her class in the Acadia Theatre Company, Acadia University, Nova Scotia Canada. She has been performing from an early age, and is a recipient of the Daphne Joseph Hackett Award for Excellence in Drama and Speech at NIFCA, as well as an Irving Burgie Award for creative writing. Her first love is storytelling and folklore. Her acting credits include, Witch and Lady Macduff in Macbeth and Ethel in Blithe Spirit, both by Gale Theatre of London and Barbados; Monique and others in Not My Son.

I also had a full woman band and collaborations with note worthy local artists and we gave a good performance it was a magical 2 nights full of music color and love.I would do it again I am hoping to repeat the play in other countries I find myself in.

Band

Percussion: Onika Best

Drums: sister Juans

Base: Lisa Payne

Steal Pans: Lion Empress

Featured artists

Rochelle Nicole

Adrian Green

Ayesha Nura

Dj Demputsi

Keoma Mallet

It was a a successful 2 nights and hope to do the same in other islands I go too!!!