Eden shows off acting talents in Drama Festival | Western Cape Government

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Eden shows off acting talents in Drama Festival

18 September 2018

Drama groups from the Eden region put their drama talents in action this weekend as the Eden Drama Festival came to an end. Youth from various communities within the region had opportunity to present their brand new productions on Friday 14 September at Duiwenhoks Community hall and Saturday 15 September at the Knysna Town Hall. The event was hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports in partnership with various partners.

After three weekends of showcases, this was the final opportunity for the young emerging talents to impress the adjudicators. The Heidelberg showcase presented six productions from around the Hessequa area, as well as two groups from Overberg. The quality of the production was so impressive, that the adjudicators decided to choose five of the six groups to go to the next phase of the programme.

On Saturday the quality of the Knysna showcase did not disappoint. Six productions were performed for the adjudicators and three were selected to move on to the next round. The showcasing events were adjudicated by the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza Festival team with Zoleka Helesi, Lauren Hannie, Khayalethu Anthony and Mdu Kweyama.

Surprise celebrity guest Mr Bongile Mantsai of the series Scandal as well as award winning movies gave the groups advice on how to move forward in the industry and displayed a passion towards the programme and the youth. "I hate the word ‘celebrity’, I have travelled the world, I have been in many movies and I won numerous awards and now I am on TV but none of that feeds my soul as much as this festival does. Being here today with you and being able to watch your stories means more to me. Never forget your roots" Bongile said to an appreciative audience and drama groups.

The event was also attended by the Chief Director, Mr Guy Redman, who reiterated that we need the arts in our community, as it helps us emotionally and spiritually and that drama uses these emotions to show the passion of our people through their stories.

The groups that were selected to go through to the production workshop included Most Wanted, Net Vir Pret, Evolution Drama Group, Untitled, Superstars Drama Club, Plett se Planke PSP, Redefined 101 and Knysna Secondary school. These selected groups will attend a production workshop in October so that they can prepare their showcases for the finale in February 2019.

Media Enquiries: 

Dr Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877 / 076 093 4913
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za