The Centre for the Less Good Idea is set to mark a significant milestone this October with the commencement of Season 10, celebrating seven years of collaborative, experimental, and interdisciplinary artistry. Located in Maboneng in the Johannesburg inner-city, this artistic haven has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation since its inception in 2016.
Co-Founder and Director of The Centre, Bronwyn Lace, says Season 10 will be a poignant reflection on the remarkable journey that The Centre has embarked on over the years, and it will also serve as a celebration of its artistic endeavours.
“This season promises to be an amalgamation of new performances that have been nurtured within The Centre’s unique environment, as well as a revisiting of the approaches that have defined its methodologies and ways of working,” Lace explains.
She says some of the noteworthy approaches to be featured in Season 10 include a collection of 11-minute Epics, the intriguing Public Procession No Man’s Land, and a revival of the Collapsed Concert.
A new rendition of William Kentridge’s “A Defence of the Less Good Idea” is set to captivate audiences. This performance lecture deliberately drowns itself in the contributions of other artists, creating a truly immersive experience.
“It feels significant to be entering our 10th Season as we’ve reached a point where we can clearly recognise some of our accomplishments, while also acknowledging how The Centre continues to grow and establish deep collaborations with individual artists and with other organisations in South Africa, in Africa, and across the world,” says Lace.
Season 10 is poised to showcase the talents of approximately 60 artists who have had a profound influence on The Centre and, reciprocally, have been influenced by it. These artists have played an integral role in co-developing the methodologies and strategies that have become pivotal to The Centre’s growth as an organisation.
Joburgers can anticipate a diverse array of newly incubated works, including an evening of percussion composed and conducted by South African percussionist Tlale Makhene and Benin-born percussionist Angelo Moustapha.
In addition, two distinct programmes of Pepper’s Ghost performances, centring on “Activating the Archive,” curated by Bongile Lecoge-Zulu and Bronwyn Lace, will be unveiled.
Season 10 will also introduce an exciting debut, “Eribuweni Ra Lwande | On the Shoreline,” created by Phala Ookeditse Phala and Tony Miyambo. This work is born from a recurring dream laden with fragments and promises to be a unique artistic endeavour.
Internationally acclaimed “African Exodus” by Sbusiso Shozi and Nhlanhla Mahlangu will make a triumphant return to The Centre, captivating audiences with its powerful storytelling.
The season is further enriched by new short-form theatre productions by Khayelihle Dom Gumede and Gregory Maqoma. Magnet Theatre’s Mark Fleishman and Jenny Reznek will collaborate with Neo Muyanga and Marcus Neustetter to offer a fresh interpretation of “Antigone’s Ode to Man.”
Central to Season 10 is the unveiling of the first iteration of William Kentridge’s latest theatre work, “The Great Yes, the Great No,” produced in collaboration with THE OFFICE performing arts + film. The Centre has played a significant role in the creation of many of Kentridge’s recent, large-scale theatre and opera works.
The season will also feature a multimedia exhibition and installation called “Moments of Making,” curated by The Centre’s Director of Cinematography and Editor, Noah Cohen. “This exhibition aims to reflect on the playful, intangible, and often vulnerable moments that emerge during the pursuit of creative ideas, offering visitors an immersive experience into the artistic process,” Lace says.
Season 10 takes place at The Centre for the Less Good Idea in Maboneng, downtown Johannesburg, between Wednesday, 18 and Sunday, 22 October. Tickets are available through the official website: https://lessgoodidea.com/bookings
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