Youth put their talent on the line

SCORES of aspirant actors and playwrights from high schools across the Eastern Cape descended in their numbers on the Alexander Playhouse in Cambridge, East London, for this year’s drama festival last week.

Drama students hankering to make it through to the final round later this month showcased their talents in front of the adjudicators, media and arts personalities Carol-Ann Kelleher and George Mountjoy. The schools that have made it through to the final rounds are Selborne College, Hudson Park High School, Grens Hoërskool, Stirling High, Aliwal North High, Gonubie High and GHS from Queenstown. These schools have been selected to go to the second leg of the festival, running from August 24 to 26.

Speaking to the Dispatch, Mountjoy said: “I’m glad to be part of something like this each year. I cannot believe that we have such talented people in the Eastern Cape.”

He said this year’s festival was different. “The themes of the plays we’ve seen tackle what’s happening currently in the world. They are seeing into what’s going on and happening globally.”

Playwright and former East London resident Deon Opperman will once again be joined by television star Fezile Mpela to adjudicate the final leg of the festival, and choose the cream of the crop on the festival’s final night.

The winners will walk away with the Lynette Alexander floating trophy, as well as prize money.

Tickets will be sold at R20 per person for the final leg of the festival. —