Oddbody Community Outreach: The Phezulu Project

 The Phezulu Project started in May 2009 as a new development initiative supported by the National Arts Festival  and Business Arts South Africa (BASA) to give local street performers a chance to reach for the stars. iIn an attempt to revitalise the National Arts Festival and bring the "carnivalesque" atmosphere back to the streets, the NAF are supporting this project to give the Festival a face-lift (literally).

Headed by Richard Antrobus, a past resident performer for the First Physical Theatre Company and creator of the hit show, “Stilted”, Richard has equipped 5 unemployed local performers with the training and means to walk tall and stand out from the crowd.

It’s risky business, and many may question the stability of this project, I’m confident that with public support it has the potential to get over its shortcomings and develop, grow and expand into other styles of street performance. We’re simply taking it one step at a time!

These performers are skilled in stilt-walking, gumboot dancing and are currently developing their skills in poi, juggling and balloon manipulation. Following the success the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, 2009 (featured briefly on SABC 2's Morning Live), the Phezulu Project have since been invited to perform at the Hilton Arts Festival and at a number of conferences, corporates and various other local events.

In 2010, Phezulu embarked on a national tour to help promote the National Arts Festival, travelling to Port Elizabeth, Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and East London.

In 2011, under the directorship of Richard Antrobus, the Phezulu Project will be expanding and collaborating with other local community groups to create "The Makana Circus" (working title) for the National Arts Festival this year.

- Richard Antrobus (Project Manager)

• Click here to for "Origins of Phezulu" video