I Gogo and
I Big Sister
I Salem College's
I Shirley
Recital Hall
I Tues, Aug. 4 8 p.m.
I Wed, Aug. 5 3 p.m.
I Wed, Aug. 5 8 p.m.
I Thurs, Aug. 6 8 p.m
I M,_J
Hlengiwe Lushaba
Madlala, Thembi
Mtshali-Jones and
Lillian Tshabalala of
"Gogo and Big Sister."
u ogo and Big Sister" is billed as a "captivating, humorous and emotional
I ?^journey, where the fine art of storytelling and musical interludes cut
across all generations."
Originally created by Thembi Mtshali-Jones and presented by her Cape Town,
South Africa-based Spirit Sister Productions, the musical drama explores the early
days of African jazz, when female legends like Miriam Makeba, the Dark City Sisters,
the Mahotella Queens, Dolly Rathebe and Margaret Mcingana ruled. The setting is
backstage at a concert given by Gogo, played by Mtshali-Jones, who is returning
from performing abroad to make her South African debut. With her backstage are
her opening act, Big Sister (Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala), and Littie Sister (Lillian
Tshabalala), who is a rising singing sensation. Gogo takes them and the audience
back in the day, as she recalls her storied career and the struggles faced by musicians
who paved the way and contributed to South Africa's musical liberation. The walk
down memory lane and the songs the women perform have been praised for making
audiences cry, laugh and sing along.
"Gogo" is one of two international productions being staged at this year's festival.
(The other is Brazil's "Body of a Woman as Batdefield.")
Mtshali-Jones is a NBTF vet, having starred in the gripping drama "Mother to
Mother" in 2013. In 2004, she wrote and first starred in "Gogo and Big Sister" as
a BBC Radio 4 drama. It was then chosen as the Play of the Week by the BBC World
Service and broadcast globally to an estimated audience of 45 million.
Mtshali-Jones was born to perform. She started singing as a child in KwaMashu
Township in Durban. Today, she is recognized as one of South Africa's most celebrated
artists. As a singer, she has performed with artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Makeba, Hugh
Masekela and Abdullah Ibrahim and has recorded several albums, including solo
records and ones as the lead vocalist for The Sipho Gumede Band and the African
Jazz Pioneers.
Mtshali-Jones has been an artist-in-residence at two U.S. colleges - Galluadette
University in Washington, D.C. and the University of Louisville in Kentucky. In 2009,
she was given a Living Legend Award by the City of Durban and the premier of
KwaZulu Natal province.
Madlala, a legendary performer in her own right, is known for creating
"Its Not Over Until the Fit Fat Phat Lady Sings," which she performed in Africa,
France and Switzerland. In 2009, Tshabalala co-wrote and performed the production
"Tick Tock" at the Sibikwa Arts Festival, where she picked up Best Actress and Best
Writer awards.
"Gogo" was staged last year at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, Eastern
Cape, with award-winner Princess Zinzi Mhlortgo in the director's chair. Ezbie
Moilwa served as the musical director. ?