Improvisor and writer Megan Choritz from Woodstock. PICTURE: Nick Aldridge and Brett Bailey
Improvisor and writer Megan Choritz from Woodstock will be performing in Constellations: The Garden of Good and Evil at Spier in Stellenbosch from Friday November 3 to Saturday November 18, at 7.30pm.
Constellations is a series of intimate encounters that connects performers, spectators and total strangers in a way that explores the creative sphere in unique and intriguing ways.
Director Brett Bailey has given each of the performers a whimsical, somewhat twisted character to interpret: a singer who lives in a bush in the belief that she’s an insect; a woman who reads stories to the ashes of the husband she murdered; a sensitive poet who lost his marbles in the mall.
Performers this year include singer and musician Gary Thomas, indigenous instrumentalist Sky Dlala, singer Laurie Levine, physical theatre performer Siphenathi Mayekiso, Belgian storyteller Gaetan Schmid, dance artist Gita Galina, and interdisciplinary performance artist Mthuthuzeli Zimba.
“Being in Constellations offers a heightened awareness situation for both performer and audience member. Nothing about the setting is familiar in that there are no sets, no tech, no frills - just the artist, nature and firelight; it’s extremely theatrical and very visceral which makes the experience so magical,” says Choritz, who will participating in Constellations for the second time.
Small groups will follow their Guides along riverside trails at nightfall and will visit six sites lit by campfires and lanterns. At each stop they will witness extraordinary solo performances drawn from a diverse group of artists. Each encounter lasts approximately 15 minutes, combining to deliver a surreal series of unforgettable experiences brought to life through music, song and haunting tales.
Tickets for the two-hour event cost from R250 per person. Tickets at R375 per person include a cheese and charcuterie platter for two and all ticket purchases include a glass of Spier wine on arrival. Book through Webtickets. No under 16’s allowed. Visit www.spier.co.za/events/constellations-at-spier for more information.