SA SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL

(Eden College’s team:  Back: Kishan Baijnath; Zano Mabaso; Colby Esterhuysen and Joshua Harris with Luc Haasbroek and Fayaaz Ghoor in front)

Forming part of the annual National Creative Arts Youth Festival’s 2013 event, the Shakespeare element is a popular attraction which takes place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre.

Due to popular demand, three Durban high schools are set to launch the first KwaZulu-Natal-based representation of the fast-growing South African Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF SA) this May.

Students from Cape Town and Johannesburg are preparing to showcase their theatrical talents once again in the 3rd annual national Shakespeare Schools Festival. This year a warm welcome is extended to Durban as Glenwood High School, Danville Park Girls' High and Eden College join the ranks to grow SSF SA's national footprint.

Shakespeare Schools Festival Director, Kseniya Fillinova-Bruton, introduced the South African version of its United Kingdom counterpart in 2010 and the pilot was such a success. Over 200 students have participated since then. The Festival offers a non-competitive, supportive and exciting opportunity for young people to showcase their acting talent.

The performances will be held at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre as part of the Durban based National Creative Arts Youth Festival founded by Professor Elizabeth Sneddon. “Students who participate gain more than the satisfaction and thrill of performing on a professional stage,” Kseniya explains, “An entire vocational journey goes into forming a Company.”

The Shakespeare School Festival hails from the UK as an additional education programme aimed at improving language and social skills through the performing arts. Each year, the festival encourages schools to perform abridged “thirty-minute” versions of Shakespearean plays in their local professional theatres throughout the country.

SSF SA introduces students from various cultures and backgrounds to live theatre with the aim of facilitating the experience of discipline and responsibility, which ensues from working in a group. Kseniya believes that learning should be an adventure: “We are looking forward to welcoming Durban to the fold. The Festival can become addictive! Schools who participate can’t wait for the next year and this is how we have been growing since the pilot in 2010.”

The SSF SA is an initiative of EduCape, which Kseniya founded in 2007 based on the need for dynamic drama in the education market within Cape Town area. Based on successful pilot performances, Educape’s vision is to establish an Outreach Initiative, which identifies schools that can benefit from the Project, yet lack the necessary resources to host drama programmes.

The ultimate success of the performance requires students with an aptitude for marketing, sound and lighting, directing and a range of potential career-shaping experiences. Each performance allows teachers to explore new ways of teaching through acting, and the Festival provides a platform for equal opportunity where there are no boundaries for participation. When Vista Nova School joined SSF SA in 2011, children with cerebral palsy, physical disabilities and other barriers to learning experienced the thrills of the stage.

As a result of SSF SA’s growing momentum, the Artscape Theatre has added the Festival to its annual calendar as part of their Audience and Development Programme. This year Johannesburg also enjoys its third run at the prestigious Joburg Theatre.

The Durban event takes place on May 8. Cape Town performances are July 29 to August 1; Johannesburg dates are September 6 to 8.

For SSF SA queries, or information about EduCape, contact Kseniya at 072 233 2074 or visit http://www.ssfsa.co.za/ or follow on Twitter @Edu_Cape

RHUMBELOW MAY TEA DANCE

Come and have fun and learn a new dance step every month at Rhumbelow Theatre where Armand Mynhardt-Joubert will be on hand to assist those who love to dance. The events offer an afternoon of fun with friends or partners.

The next Rhumbelow Tea Dance takes place on May 5. There is a full cash bar and braais will be available so bring picnics. The Tea Dance, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month, runs from 12h30 to 16h30. Entrance is R50 pp at the door.

The featured dance for May is the tango.

More information from Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net Rhumbelow Theatre is situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road.

NEW BASA PROGRAMME

Business and Arts South Africa and Middel & Partners announce the launch of an innovative, on-line programme. This will allow businesses to channel their B-BBEE socio-economic development (SED) contributions towards arts and culture.

Backed by the technology of an online ticketing system Tixsa, the Middel & Partners and BASA SED Programme takes the form of a simplified on-line platform on BASA’s website. At the click of a button, businesses are able to both contribute to arts and qualify for BEE scores in accordance with the BEE Codes.

"Business and Arts South Africa continues to focus on innovative ways to support the arts sector, whilst developing equitable partnerships with business,” says BASA CEO, Michelle Constant. “The BASA Middel & Partners SED Programme will hopefully address the challenges of B-BEEE for businesses, whilst supporting a crucial and under-supported sector of society - the arts."

A business consulting and auditing firm that is also an IRBA approved B-BBEE service provider, Middel & Partners is well-placed to work in partnership with BASA to give effect to this vision.

“Middel & Partners firmly believes in the positive effects the Arts have on developing and building a nation,” says CEO Coenie Middel. “We are therefore grateful to be provided the opportunity to participate in an initiative that encourages businesses to contribute and support the arts. We sincerely hope that our efforts will bring light to projects that empower and uplift those in the arts community.”

In allowing businesses to channel their B-BBEE socio-economic development contributions towards arts and culture, the Middel & Partners and BASA SED Programme enables businesses to comply with the BEE Act – in particular the promotion of black people’ sustainable access to the economy through the contribution of 1% of their profits to socio-economic development.

The benefiting arts and culture organisations need to demonstrate that the beneficiaries remain no less than 75% black at all times. Participating arts and culture organisations will be selected on an annual basis.

In addition, businesses’ contributions to arts and culture through this programme will also qualify as socio-economic development contributions under the BEE Act, through an impact on the sustainable economic participation of black artists, musicians and actors.

With Middel & Partners providing the B-BBEE expertise and Tixsa ensuring a secure online payment system, BASA will manage and maintain the Middel& Partners and BASA SED Programme.

The Middel & Partner and BASA SED Programme is made possible through the support of Fasken Martineau and Empowerdex

For further information please contact Lonwabo Mavuso at 011 447 2295 or e-mail Lonwabo@basa.co.za To make a contribution go to www.basa.co.za or www.middel.co.za

DEATH OF DALE CUTTS

artSMart is sad to report the death of actor and playwright Dale Cutts who passed away earlier this month.

Cutts was involved in drama from an early age from the time when he won a bursary for elocution in Std 1 (Grade 3). He was in school productions and then continued with the Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC), the Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal and the SABC. He also wrote plays and serials one of which was Squad Cars.

When television started he had the dubious honour of being the man South Africa loved to hate as Basil Clay in The Villagers.

He is best summed up by his daughter, Genevieve: "Cooked like a gourmet (best curry), drank black coffee like water, smoked far too many cigarettes, would always end a good meal with a black Irish Coffee, told the BEST stories, would make you laugh till your stomach hurt, had the worst temper I've ever encountered, stubborn as hell, kind, generous to a fault, loved theatre and words more than life, loved his children and Janine even more than that."

SUGAR DADDIES

Ngcebo Cele &Snelisiwe Hadebe in Sugar Daddies. Pic by Val Adamson

Sugar Daddies was one of the four productions featured by The Playhouse Company in its fourth Community Arts Festival (CAF) which ran in the Playhouse Loft from April 11 to 20.

Forming the second programme of the festival, Sugar Daddies will be going on to tour to schools in KZN.

The play looks head-on at the social issue widely prevalent today of older, often married, men with financial means having very young girlfriends. These girls often seek ways to achieve a better lifestyle without considering the consequences and implications of their actions. The irresponsible behaviour of these older men (“sugar daddies”) brings ruin to the lives of their own families and those of the young women they engage with.

This work is directed by Edmund Mhlongo with a cast that includes Ngcebo Cele, Heather Gielink, Annalisa Gxabu, Vumani Khumalo, Nompilo Maphumulu, Phumlani Ngubane, Sandile Nxumalo and Snelisiwe Radebe.

“Obviously I can’t give a full review this production as I was involved in its development,” says Caroline Smart, “but I commend all involved for handling this complex and alarmingly-prevalent issue with strong performances, a clear understanding and a fair dollop of humour.

Honours undoubtedly go to Sne Radebe as the young girl who gets caught up in her friend’s irresponsible behaviour. As the friend, Nompilo Maphumulo gave the strong performance we have come to expect from her as she copes with the mood swings that the character requires.

Handling the vitally important lines of how many men view sex with young girls, Ngcobo Cele was notably smooth as the gangster with Sandile Nxumalo a delight as his bumbling sidekick. Annalisa Gxabu gave a calming interpretation as the mother and Phumlani Ngubane was good as the harassed school counsellor. Lending weight and a seeming sense of responsibility as the pastor was Vumani Khumalo.

Sugar Daddies formed part of Programme 2 of the festival. The other three productions were Talking Spirits, Umlabalaba and Zion (Programme 1). (See separate articles)