Benchmarks is a small story of great hope and rebirth. A timid middle-aged clerk. A reclusive widow. A young Zimbabwean refugee. In the Mother City, three desperate and lonely individuals get drawn into an unlikely relationship that will lead them on a journey of discovery, companionship, tragedy, and reconciliation – one that will ultimately transform their lives forever. Set against a backdrop of the frailties and complications of human relationships; the violence and hardships of life in South Africa; and the dreams and desires for a better life; Benchmarks is a poetic celebration of the human spirit told by three performers in full character mask. Created by the award-winning and multiple-nominated crew that birthed Pictures of You, Womb Tide, QUACK!, and GUMBO, and featuring a stellar conspiracy of collaborators, this is visual theatre at its best.

About FTH:K:
FTH:K is a young, funky theatre company whose work in integrating Deaf and hearing performers has already won multiple awards. Its aim of bringing together Deaf and hearing artists, audiences and educators is best illustrated through its unique Tell-Tale Signs programme which is currently training South Africa’s first generation of Deaf people for inclusion in the professional performing arts industry. There is currently no other project like it (nor has there ever been) running in South Africa.

Awards:
Pictures of You – Winner of a 2010 Standard Bank Ovation Award
Rob Murray – Winner of the 2009 Fleur du Cap Best Lighting Design Award (Pictures of You)
Janni Younge – Winner of the 2009 Fleur du Cap Best Prop and/or Puppetry Design Award (Pictures of You)
Janni Younge – Nominated for the 2009 Fleur du Cap Best Prop and/or Puppetry Design Award (QUACK!)
QUACK! – Nominated for the 2010 Handspring Puppet Award: Best Visual Theatre Production
Rob Murray – Nominated for the Rolex Mentor and Protege Arts Initiative to work with mentor Peter Sellars

“FTH:K is an independent and vibrant theatre company that has enriched the South African theatre landscape with its original and unique approach to visual theatre. Having pioneered itself as a groundbreaking South African theatre company which casts both hearing and Deaf actors, their work challenges and enriches both the artists and the audiences through a combination of visual and performing arts forms such as puppetry, masks and live performance. As trendsetters of this genre in South Africa, it is clearly evident that the current growth in visual theatre on the festival and mainstream circuit is influenced by FTH:K’s prolific style and their ability to continually raise the bar both on excellence and innovation.”
Ismail Mahomed, Director, National Arts Festival

 

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One comment on ‘Benchmarks’

1. High Spirits in the Hub « FTH:K says:

   September 22, 2011 at 2:51 pm

   [...] only 3 shows, Benchmarks will be performing at this years Out The Box Festival, which we’ve heard is bigger and bolder than before. More than anything, we absolutely love [...]

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