Eden drama kicks off with a bang

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) saw its drama festival move to the Eden district. On 8 September 2018 the first leg of the Eden drama festival took place in the George Arts theatre in a very rainy George. This showcase was hosted by DCAS, in partnership with the George Arts Society, who provided a beautiful theatre venue with sound and lights for our emerging artists.

Participants put their best foot forward in the hope of qualifying for a place in the finals. Two groups, Take a Bow and #Dramatic, both from Dysselsdorp, performed and there were two one-woman shows by Khulisiwe and Esmerelda. Finally, the audience was treated to a breath-taking performance by last year’s runner up, Fantasies-Dramaties. The Baxter’s Zabalaza Festival again provided their coordinators and facilitators to serve as adjudicators.

Adjudicator Zoleka Helesi said that it was so heart-warming to see the growth of some of the artists who have been with the program. ‘It has taken time, but with the resources and your hard work, you have grown with class and shown us that you have the potential that we knew you had’ said Zoleka. The curator of the Zabalaza festival and the head adjudicator echoed Ms Helesi’s sentiments, but also warned the young artists not to be too lazy in their writing and to challenge themselves. He was particularly impressed by the musicals performed by some groups.

The adjudicators selected three groups to advance to the finals. The groups selected were Take a Bow, #Dramatic and Fantasies-Dramaties. They all presented exceptional productions and will be given further training at the department’s production workshop in Oudtshoorn in October.

This weekend will see the conclusion of the Eden leg of the DCAS drama festival with a showcase at Duiwenhoks Community Hall in Heidelberg on Friday 14 September and a final showcase in Knysna on Saturday 15 September at the Knysna Town Hall.

DCAS and its partners aim to develop the arts through these festivals and to expose the young talent in communities to exciting opportunities, BETTER TOGETHER.