A collage of the cast members. Desiree Levin is on the top left photo
It has always been Desiree Levin’s desire to write a commercially staged play to fulfill the wishes of her late brother, Mr. Colin Berkowitz, who also had a passion for theatre.
Levin (70) studied theatre in her early years but never attempted to write anything until now, when she has ample time to tick off things on her bucket list.
“Recent events and interactions have made me focus on empowering youth from different townships and assisting them in getting their talent on big stages,” said Levin.
“There is a lot of talent out there, yet we mostly do not get to see it because of the limited platforms and spaces. In this production, I’m working with some talented young people from Alexander, Soweto, and other townships to make their dreams a reality.
As long as I have time, I will join hands with these young people until the big, commercial theatres start showcasing their talents,” she added.
Levin’s focus before dabbling in theatre was mainly para lawn bowls, a sport that she started playing in 2014. Since then, she has won the South African Disability National Championship in the sport every year, previously won a bronze medal at the World Championships Para Bowls in 2015, and bagged a bronze at the Commonwealth Games recently (2022).
Levin acquired Guillain-Barre Syndrome in 2009. In Guillain-Barré syndrome, the body’s immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The syndrome can affect the nerves that control muscle movement as well as those that transmit pain, temperature, and touch sensations. This can result in muscle weakness, loss of sensation in the legs and/or arms, and problems swallowing or breathing.
The play she co-penned with Mojalefa Mogagabe, From Soweto with Smiles, is a live musical performance in theatre by independent semi-professional artists. The show depicts the unification of races and ages in music, dance, and humour.
Musicians and artists featured in From Soweto with Smiles are freelance street performers who can be found busking in the streets and pavements of Alexandra, Sandringham, Rosebank, Sandton, and surrounding areas.
Mogogabe says: “We bring unity in divisive times; we bring peace in hard times; we bring joy in sad times. We are From Soweto with Smiles! Albeit the cast comes from as far afield as Daveyton, Grasmere, Mamelodi, Alexandra, and Soweto. The cast is dedicated to professionalism and creativity in artistic delivery.
From Soweto with Smiles is a show in honour of the late patron of the Theatre on the Square and avid theatre lover who unfortunately lost his life before he could produce a show. Mr. Colin Berkowitz is known to the theatre staff and many others as “uncle”!
The music featured in the show is by no means intended to be a replica of the iconic Iphi Intombi, the musical. However, the storyline resembles the typical South African love story with a twist of Jewish cultural heritage.
The cast features Sonnyboy “Soulnote ” Mashale on bass guitar; Thulasizwe ” Thulas” Zondi on keyboard; female music teacher and saxophonist Sintu Ndzube on sax and female vocalist and lead singer Phindile Sibiya. These musicians make up Africa in My Turf, a music band formed in March 2023 by Theatre on the Square patron and sister to “Uncle”, Ms. Desiree Levin, and budding Soweto-born arts and music entrepreneur Mojalefa Mogagabe.
The dynamic energy behind From Soweto with Smiles invites audience participation that will get you on your feet with claps and dance moves, notwithstanding your angelic voices as you sing along to some good old-time memories.
Also joining the show will be Johannesburg-based guitarist, Micah Myles who specialises in flamenco, classical, and jazz. His vast repertoire of over 400 pieces also includes music of genres ranging from Gypsy Jazz, Bossa Nova, Blues, and Pop to various world music.
What is unique about this genius on the guitar is that he is almost completely blind. Micah has an advanced condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa—a steady degeneration of the retina that ultimately leads to total blindness.
Despite his condition, Micah’s talent is constantly expanding, and his musical ear is only getting stronger. His acute hearing, developed due to his blindness, makes him a finely tuned musical instrument.
Micah was the ambassador for Yamaha for many years and has played at various prestigious events, namely the Spanish Chamber of Commerce gala events, the Embassy for Spain, Alianza Flamenca and is a composer and musician for Flamenkhoi.
FlamenKhoi, founded by Rosana Maya in conjunction with Pinky Xu! Ramagole and directed by Jonathan Pienaar, is a company of artists who explore our inherent’sameness’ through the cultural art of music, song, dance, poetry, and design. The hybrid art of flamenco and Khoisan, Tswana, and other southern African art seamlessly fuses in a new language of movement and sound, uniting continents and people far and wide. Micah, along with Lebzmuzo, compose and play the original musical score for the production. They are currently working on an album, entitled Kuele, and plan to tour in the new year.
Micah also teaches guitar and has developed his own syllabus to advance students into the high technical skills of guitar. With his gentle and completely non-resentful manner, he remains passionate about continuing to play guitar and learn new genres of music, and he touches the hearts of all who meet him. The atmosphere he creates when playing is mesmerizing and a blessing to hear.
The show has live African, Jewish, and European music, dance, comedy, and drama. Rehearsals have been mostly virtual, at a 70-year-old garage in Soweto and on the streets and pavements of Sandringham.
In support of music and empowering the arts locally, the producers humbly urge you to donate by purchasing seats for the show, assisting with bookings, and providing funds to further produce more shows to give exposure to the artists.
For the play details and tickets info; KINDLY CLICK THIS LINK HERE
