Generations Chi Mhendea��s new venture

Bruce Ndlovu .
After he made her a star when he brought her to Generations as the popular character Wandile, veteran TV director Mfundi is now taking his relationship with his Zimbabwean acolyte Chi Mhende to the stage for the theatre production, Childrena��s Monologues.

As a man renowned for breaking new ground, Vundla who is the executive producer of the production, did the same again for the theatre piece by assembling an all female cast for the play.

An all-women cast comprised Chi Mhende, Thembisa Mdoda, Zola Nombona, Thuso Mbedu, Cindy Swanepoel, Fiona Ramsay, Lesedi Job, Khanyisile Ngwabe, Lerato Gwebu, Natasha Sutherland, Esmeralda Bihl, Napo Masheane and Lulu Mlangeni brought together their talents for the unique production as a gift of unconditional kindness to raise an awareness about the challenges facing children living through poverty and conflict.

The Childrena��s Monologues, features testimonials by children that were adapted for the stage by multi-award-winning playwrights with the intention of highlighting the power of creative storytelling.

Directed by the Market Theatrea��s artistic director, James Ngcobo, The Childrena��s Monologues features some of Mzansia��s most loved and high-profiled television actresses.

a�?This is an exciting time for me. I have not previously directed some of these big artistes. This is going to be interesting collusion of seasoned theatre actors and young up-and-coming talented television actors. They have all given up time from their busy schedules to give back to voiceless and faceless children whose stories will be performed,a�? said James Ngcobo.

While Ngcobo is directing the all-South African cast at the Market Theatre, at the Cargenie Hall in New York, Danny Boyle will direct a US production of The Childrena��s Monologues with an all-star US cast to add to his earlier repertoire of The Childrena��s Monologues that was staged to sold-out houses at Londona��s The Old Vic and Royal Court theatres.

The collaboration with Vundla is not Mhendea��s first romance with the theatre scene.

The actress has in the past declared that theatre is her first love, and besides the Vundla production she is also featured in Pinocchio, another production that is currently running at the Market Theatre. .