It will be a double show where he will also be hosting an SA theatre group dubbed, Blah Blah Brothers, for their play ‘Corner 2 Corner’. In an interview with Arts&Culture, Tlhaolang, also famous as Magwaneng in the theatre industry, explained that he was inspired to write the story because of the relationship that parents and children have in Botswana.
He said in most cases, parents do not have a good bond with their children, especially when they are in their youth ages. He pointed out that some have a negative bond while others have a positive one.
He explained that the play brought real-life issues that people face every day.
He pointed out that some of them include negative things such as generational curses or inheritance curses from their parents like gender-based violence, alcohol abuse and a lot of societal issues that they encounter as youth and teenagers. Furthermore, he said the play was produced in 2022 and was performed for the first time at the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department at the University of Botswana on November 2023. The show again returned for its play at VAPA 2024 in February, which was sold out. Even though the drama is returning for the third time where it will be showcased at Maitisong, Tlhaolang pointed out that it would be a double bill show. He added that they will be hosting Blah Blah Brothers from Vaal, South Africa, for ‘Corner 2 Corner’. The play is directed by award-winning actor Potsane Mohale.
After the Botswana show, the two theatre groups will showcase a double show in South Africa on May 10, 2024 hosted by Blah Blah Brothers. Furthermore, he explained that ‘The Thing Between Us’ consisted of four characters namely Jennifer Tarea, Gorata Matlale, Lady Tlhowe and Kabelo Mojuta.
The show was written and directed by Tlhaolang, who is also the director and founder of Merale Arts Creations. Merale Arts Creations were the champions of the National Arts Festival 2021/2022 for the South region. Tlhaolang has worked with different drama groups as a director and actor in Botswana. “Last year, during the National Arts Festival competitions, I went to the Kgalagadi region to direct AheEme theatre group and it took first position at the regional level. At the finals, they managed to be the runners up, which was the first time for a group from Kgalagadi region.
I have also performed internationally in countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa. My craft has grown tremendously over the years thus making me one of the best directors in the country,” he said. “The theatre industry in Botswana is hard because it does not have support like other creatives even though the market is promising. Currently, we are struggling with finances and are appealing to different stakeholders to assist us financially so that we can change the lives of fellow youth and create employment,” he stated.
