Directions
Summer 2008

In This Issue ...

• Through the Eyes of an Elephant
• Slam-dunk Hit!
• Binti's Journey
• Letters to Africa
• Spring and Everything's New
• A New Face at Theatre Direct
• All Hands on Deck!
• Everything's Coming up Doras!
• Message from the President

Photo left to right: Lisa Codrington, Dienye Waboso, Jajube Mandiela and Sefton Jackson

Binti's Journey

By Marcia Johnson
Adapted from Deborah Ellis’ The Heaven Shop

Following on the overwhelming response from audiences, artists and media to the world premiere run, Theatre Direct’s acclaimed production of Binti’s Journey has been invited to Winnipeg’s Manitoba Theatre for Young People for their 2008-2009 Season. This collaboration with one of the country’s most respected TYA companies is an historic first!

In Binti’s Journey four actors bring to life the story of a 13 year-old girl named Binti Phiri. It is a story of hope, courage and determination using storytelling, movement, traditional dance and music in this first Canadian theatre production for young people to address the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

The Story
Binti is the child star of a popular Malawi radio program “Gogo’s Family”. After losing her home and family to AIDS and enduring separation from her two siblings, Binti finds her way to her own Grandmother’s village and discovers a deeper understanding of the power of family and community in the village of her Gogo (grandmother) and from the many orphans in Gogo’s care.

Adpated by Marcia Johnson from the novel The Heaven Shop by Deborah Ellis
Directed by ahdri zhina mandiela

Performed by Lisa Codrington, Sefton Jackson, Jajube Mandiela, and Dienye Waboso

Set and Costume Design by Melanie McNeill

Sound and lighting design by Duncan Morgan
Music and Movement by Mxolisi Welcome Ngozi

Stage Management by Kristin McCollum

“Binti’s Journey is quite a remarkable play. If it were simply an engaging story about a young girl growing up in modern-day Malawi, it would be noteworthy. If it were simply an effective play for young people about HIV/AIDS, it would be exceptional. Binti’s Journey, however, is both…

The play deserves the widest possible audience not just of schoolchildren but of adults, who have just as much to learn.”
- Christopher Hoile, EYE Weekly

“It reached people on so many different levels. It dealt with a serious issue in a sensitive yet deep manner…the vocals and dance were a wonderful, entertaining addition to the text of the novel.”
-Vicky Paschalidis, Teacher, Milne Valley MS

“They absolutely LOVED it! I thought it was extremely well produced…the teacher workshop was inspirational.”
- Jo McQuarrie, Teacher, Maurice Cody

“Artistically, the actors were able to capture and convey to the audience details and emotions of the characters…Educationally it exposed the students to some aspects of African culture and to the reality of living with AIDS.”
- Susan Lefebvre, Literacy for East Toronto

“It was excellent! The students thoroughly enjoyed it. The actors were incredible! The discussion afterwards was also very worthwhile.”
- Joan Bird, Teacher, Central Etobicoke High School