Bringing Magic To The Stage At Worcester Drama Showcase

The stage at the Little Theatre in Worcester was set alight by talent from the various drama groups taking part in the Cape Winelands Drama Festival. Staged on 20 August, the event was organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport in partnership with Breede Valley Tourism, Cape Winelands Municipality, the Baxter Theatre and the Zabalaza Festival.

Nine drama groups from various areas, with poets also included, took part in the first adjudication leg of the festival, in the hope of becoming one of the finalists. In the end, four groups, Our Hope from Zwelethemba, Broken Angels from Wellington, Vusisizwe Drama Group from Zwelethemba and African Calling from Nqubela made it through as finalists with their emotionally charged performances.

Councillor Julian Kritzinger attended the festival and encouraged the young performers to believe in their dreams of performing on bigger stages. “All of you here today will be taking us in the audience on a journey with you,” he said.

DCAS Deputy Director Liezl Jansen expressed her excitement for the young performers and wished them luck. “Remember this is not a competition, but an opportunity to hone your craft. Performers like you are the mouthpieces for our stories,” said Liezl.

One of the adjudicators, Thami Mbongo, said it is possible to make it in the arts industry. “This weekend showed a real growth in the programme, and to some of the past participants in the festival. The amount of talent from these young writers, directors and actors showed that the future of South African theatre is bright,” he said.

The next leg of the Cape Winelands Drama festival takes place in the Breughel Theatre in Cloetesville on 27 August.

DCAS and its partners aim to further develop the arts through festivals such as these and expose the young talent of the Western Cape to different opportunities, BETTER TOGETHER.