Young Talent Shines at Drama Showcase in Worcester

On Saturday, 1 August 2015, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) hosted the Cape Winelands Drama Festival Showcase at the Worcester Town Hall. It was the first leg of a number of adjudication showcases scheduled to take place across the province.

Drama groups from Paarl, Mbekweni, Kayamandi in Stellenbosch, Avian Park, Zwelethemba and Worcester participated. The showcases were made possible through the collaboration of the Stellenbosch and Breede Valley Municipalities and the Cape Winelands District Municipality alongside a strong partnership with the Baxter Theatre's Zabalaza Festival.

The showcase was opened by Councillor Mei from the Breede Valley Municipality who acknowledged the presence of the Deputy Mayors from Breede Valley and the Cape Winelands District. The Master of Ceremonies was Bradley de Koker.  He was crowned the Best Actor in last year’s Drama Festival as well as acting in the production that won the festival.

This year has seen the most entries to the Cape Winelands festival. Twenty-three groups have registered to be part of the great opportunities presented. The groups gave their all to the audience.  The adjudicators from the Baxter Theatre selected five winning productions for the next level of development and to perform in the finale.

“This year has seen an incredible growth in not only an interest in the festival but the quality of the productions, which is in line with the department’s objective of developing professional productions in rural communities. The youth are enjoying performing on stage and learning more from these professionals to elevate their standard of theatre”, says Moeniel Jacobs from DCAS.

The finalists were Our Hope (The Ride to Hell), Alfred Stamper Drama Group (Internal Scars), The Combined Theatre Group (Till death do us technology), Mansion of Possibilities (Bus stop) and Team Bring It (Endless end).

These productions will be subjected to further development by the Baxter Theatre’s Zabalaza Festival section to prepare them for their finale as well as for the overall winner’s journey to the Zabalaza Festival in Cape Town.

DCAS presents these festivals in order to develop the arts in communities. Communities should support these kind of festivals in order to grow local talent. Let us continue to develop and grow the arts BETTER TOGETHER.