William Kentridge's show "<a href="https://www.theheadandtheload.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">The Head & The Load</a>" explores the largely ignored history of African soldiers in World War I. After premiering in London in 2018, it is finally playing for audiences on the continent it pays tribute to, opening at the Joburg Theatre.
William Kentridge's show "The Head & The Load" explores the largely ignored history of African soldiers in World War I. After premiering in London in 2018, it is finally playing for audiences on the continent it pays tribute to, opening at the Joburg Theatre.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier
The 90-minute performance features shadow play, as well as projected drawings and animations by Kentridge, a renowned South African artist.
The 90-minute performance features shadow play, as well as projected drawings and animations by Kentridge, a renowned South African artist.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier
Performers create larger-than-life shadows on the stage screen, symbolizing the looming darkness of untold histories.
Performers create larger-than-life shadows on the stage screen, symbolizing the looming darkness of untold histories.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier
The 50-meter-wide stage hosts various moving parts, forcing audiences to choose where to look and effectively creating a theatrical "collage," in Kentridge's words.
The 50-meter-wide stage hosts various moving parts, forcing audiences to choose where to look and effectively creating a theatrical "collage," in Kentridge's words.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier
The show incorporates sculptural headdresses, which are inspired by traditional tribal fashion but made from modern materials.
The show incorporates sculptural headdresses, which are inspired by traditional tribal fashion but made from modern materials.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier
The show's title is taken from a Ghanaian proverb: "The head and the load are the troubles of the neck" -- referencing the burden Africans have had to carry, both during World War I and in the decades since.
The show's title is taken from a Ghanaian proverb: "The head and the load are the troubles of the neck" -- referencing the burden Africans have had to carry, both during World War I and in the decades since.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier
An international ensemble of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians perform onstage, complementing Kentridge's visuals projected onto the 10-yard-high backdrop.
An international ensemble of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians perform onstage, complementing Kentridge's visuals projected onto the 10-yard-high backdrop.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier
In Johannesburg, "The Head & The Load" is a co-production with the Centre d'Art Battat, Montreal, and runs until May 6, 2023.
In Johannesburg, "The Head & The Load" is a co-production with the Centre d'Art Battat, Montreal, and runs until May 6, 2023.
Courtesy the Artist and Goodman Gallery/William Kentridge Studio/Stella Olivier