‘Cradle of Creativity’ fest

THE STAGE is set and the spotlight is on local young thespians who will get a chance to showcase their acting chops in the Cradle of Creativity Africa fest. Cape Town will host its first Assitej World Congress and Performing Arts Festival from May 17-27. The event is being co- ordinated by the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People and productions from all over the world will feature at the festival. Activities will include performances from 40 top theatre, dance and music productions from around the world, with the aim to attract the attention of those under 19. Director of Assitej SA and president of Assitej International, Yevette Hardie,said: “This will be a game-changing shift for artists on the African continent, as the world will be exposed to what Africa has to offer and the artists will get exposure on an international level.”

The festival is themed the Cradle of Creativity because Africa is regarded as the Cradle of Humanity, and the focus will be on what the continent has to offer in theatre for children and young people.

As part of the festival, a “next-generation residency programme” will run for two days, and will focus on young theatre professionals and inter-cultural collaborations.

There will also be a fourday meeting of Assitej’s general assembly, with representatives from over 100 countries.

Then there are 150 workshops with presentations and discussions, and a two-day international research conference.

The event aims to establish young South Africa as leaders in theatre for young audiences on the African continent.

The festival will run at the Artscape, the Baxter and the Cape Town City Hall, as well as in Atlantis, Gugulethu, Philippi and Langa.

PICTURE: SANMARI MARAIS Making Mandela will be performed at the ‘Cradle of Creativity’.

Yvette Hardie, president of Assitej International and director of Assitej SA.