Eden Drama festival a local hit

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) recently presented the 2017 Drama Festival to communities in Heidelberg, Knysna and George.

On 4 November DCAS provided youth from Barrydale, Melkhoutfontein, Riversdale and Albertinia with the opportunity to showcase their drama talent in the Heidelberg Civil Hall. The participants had developed their own plays at a script workshop hosted by DCAS during October at the Schoemanspoort Cultural Facility in Oudtshoorn. Three groups made it through to the next round, namely Net vir Pret with their thought-provoking play Rooidoppies about the life of the Khoi, Kairos Drama Group with their chilling story, Kinners Vannie Twilight, and Evolution’s production Brandmerk which stole the show.

On 10 November 2017 DCAS and the Knysna Municipality hosted the second adjudication leg at the local Hornlee Civic Centre.  Untitled Production with Broken Walls and Redefined 101 with their heart-warming play Retribution? advanced to the next round.

DCAS and the George Arts Society hosted the final leg of the Eden Drama Festival at their local theatre on 11 November. Participants travelled from as far as Dysselsdorp, George and Thembalethu. Tyhalorha Primary School opened the show with a simplistic but amazing play while Take a Bow and Act Up proudly presented the talent of Dysselsdorp. Team Determine left the audience speechless with their production Honestly ek verstaan jou nie! These four groups were selected as the last finalists for the Eden Drama Adjudication Showcase.

The Baxter Theatre joined forces with DCAS and its Eden Drama Festival to adjudicate the showcases and provided young participants with the opportunity to interact with professionals in the industry. “This programme keeps growing and has resulted in quality productions. We have to nurture this talent,” said head adjudicator Bongile Mantsai.

The finalists of the past weekend will be participating in the Eden Drama Production workshop. This will provide an opportunity for the aspiring artists and their stories to be redefined in preparation for the grand finale which will take place in Riversdale during 2018.

DCAS and its partners expose young talent in various communities to exciting opportunities to grow our next generation of theatre stars, BETTER TOGETHER.