Developing theatre at the Cape Winelands Drama Festival

Six drama groups and one poet took part in the Cape Winelands Drama Festival held at the Klein Libertas Theatre in Stellenbosch on 30 August 2014. Drama groups travelled from as far Worcester to take part in the festival.

The groups each presented a 30-minute play that they had written and directed. The theme for the festival was 20 Years of Democracy, which the groups were free to interpret as they wished. The judges of the festival were Thami Mbongo, Artistic Director of the Zabalaza Festival, Rufus Swart, a senior lecturer at Stellenbosch University, Faniswa Yisa and Ntombi Makhutshi. The judges gave the groups constructive feedback about how to improve on the already excellent plays they had produced and performed on the night. The festival was presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), in partnership with the Stellenbosch Municipality, the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Langeberg Municipality, Suidoosterfees, Stellenbosch University, the Baxter Theatre and the Zabalaza Festival. Moeniel Jacobs of DCAS says the aim is to bring professional theatre to rural communities, and to develop young stage talent.

The winners of the evening, Mahibuye Drama Group, Team Bring It, individuals from the other drama groups and poet Tshepo Ramodisa will attend a 3-day workshop during which they will work with the some of the industry’s best. Scriptwriting, character development, directing, plot and technical aspects of the theatre will all receive attention during the event. DCAS and its partners aim to develop the arts through festivals such this, and to expose the young talent of the Western Cape.