A New Direction

I am very priveleged to be able to work in the performing arts as my day job. Strangely enough I do not come from a performing arts background, rather that of welfare administration. So you will understand when I say that I am passionate about administration.

No, not the filing and minute taking - essential daily activities which are the foundation of administration, but the bigger picture of building organisations, creating the better world to which we all aspire and creating strong sustainable programmes which will bring about that change.

A skilled administrator needs to wear several hats - the starry eyed visionary who can see the better world, the cautious, incremental implementer to make sure that programmes work, the financial whizz who can balance the books and manage the cash flow and the fabulous fundraiser and salesman who brings in the resources (not only the cash) to make the organisation work. Then there is the diplomatic staff manager and motivator and networker.

I am going to introduce articles on the business of the arts and share some of the fabulous blogs and sites that I am reading to keep up to date with this strange creature called the performing arts. I would really appreciate your comments and insights on the arts as it will help me to grow into the different hats to become a skilled administrator.

However there is still my true passion of Encore Entertainment Guide. This year I am going to start including my comments on shows that I attend - the original purpose of the blog. The grand plan got delayed when I got an attack of the doubts - who am I to comment on people's creativity. However, in the past 4 years of going to shows, I can honestly say that there is only one or maybe two shows that I didn't like. One was because I had no clue what was going on in it.

So welcome to the new Encore blog...
Angela

Jeremy Taylor in Concert

Last night I went to see Jeremy Taylor in Concert. My grandfather loved his music so it was very much a part of my childhood and I now have those original records. I proudly know all the words to Ag Pleez Deddy , Shoplift Girl's Lament Ballad of the Northern Suburbs and so many more.

Paul says that I have been in "groupie mode" for the past month since I learned that Jeremy Taylor was coming to Cape Town. So it was with high expectations that I went to the show. I was wondering if he would be as I remembered eventhough he is 74. I was not disappointed. He was fantastic and to my delight a spellbinding story teller. His Seff-Afrikan accent was perfect and it was fascinating listening to him change between that and his English accent.

The show was very interesting in that it was a look back to the South Africa of the 1960s with the funny songs but also some chilling moments of the times. A very telling statement was "It was a hard time for everyone... race was just the smoke screen for those who were seeking the power and control". He gave us a glimpse without judging, leaving that for the audience. I was struck by his compassion for people, the irony of the madness of the times and his love of South Africa.

It is a bit of history that is going to be forgotten. The Afrikaners were also oppressed and hurt during apartheid and things were not as rosy as it is made out. It brought out bitter sweet memories of childhood and growing up in South Africa

His poem "A night to remember" about the capture of Steve Biko was chilling and compelling. Of course the highlight was the final song Ag Pleez Deddy and it was wonderful to see how many of us in the audience knew all the words.

Back to the groupie mode - I couldn't help myself. One of the priveleges of the Kalk Bay Theatre is that the artists come up to the restaurant after the show. I heard Simon Cooper say that he might be reluctant to do so and found the stage manager to see if Jeremy could sign my records if he does not come up. Just in case I went to the stage door after the show where the stage manager assured me that he will be coming up to the restaurant.

Oh what a honour to meet him and talk to him. A real dream and to be able to thank him for the joy that his music has brought over the years. He very kindly signed both records and I even got a photograph with him. I am still thrilled the next day.

My criticism? The show was about 5 hours too short. I wanted him to keep on singing.