Local performing arts production company, Wela Kapela is one of the biggest driving forces in local entertainment and 2023 has been an exciting year for them with its most popular productions, Vincent the Cabaret and Next! garnering international acclaim.
Vincent the Cabaret, performed by the talented Daniel Anderson, has had a phenomenal national run since its opening night that has included performances at the Theatre on the Square in Sandton, and the Naledi Theatre Awards and is now off to perform at the Edinburgh Festival later this year.
Next!, which features the ingenious Dikelo Mamiala recently won the award for best festival debut at the United Solo Festival in New York, the world’s biggest solo theatre festival.
Wela Kapela is also behind other local shows that have enjoyed an outpouring of public support this year. These include Julie Andrews Uncut, Mad about the Boys, A Star is Born, I’m Still Here and Once on this Island.
Wela Kapela founder and director Amanda Bothma is thrilled at the massive success the shows have had with audiences both locally and abroad as indicated by the love the shows received at the Umtiza Arts Festival recently at the Guild Theatre.
Bothma said: “Umtiza is such a gem, it is such a privilege to perform at this huge festival, right here in our hometown.
“The shows we performed were Nathan Johannisen’s Elton Adams, Alison Hillstead’s I’m Still Here and Anderson’s Vincent the Cabaret.
“We are very happy with the public’s reaction to our three shows. People were blown away,” Bothma said.
Many of the shows have won multiple awards for production quality, acting talent, music and the set designs. These include the National Arts Festival Standard Bank Ovation Awards 2022, as well as multiple awards at the Broadway SA Regional Awards 2022.
The second half of 2023 is set to be busy for the Wela Kapela team, as they have nine productions set to show at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda next month, plus performances as the Hilton Arts Festival in August.
Acclaimed director and performer, Germaine Gamiet believes the success of productions like Vincent the Cabaret are due to the hard work, and the collaborative efforts between the artists, directors and, most importantly, the audiences.
“The far-reaching impact of international exposure for Vincent is incalculable. What we can look forward to is that this will be an important opportunity for building a network for the artists involved in Wela Kapela, as well as the entire ecosystem they interact with.
“The response to Vincent from audiences and industry professionals alike has been humbling and we look forward to presenting the same excellence we’ve afforded to our supporters locally, on the international stage,” Gamiet said.
