(Peter Court)
The sixth annual
DUT Children’s Theatre Festival – which takes place at DUT City Campus and the
Courtyard Theatre from September 8 to 11, takes a slightly different approach
this year showcasing original productions written and work-shopped by drama
staff and first year students and introducing the Professional Fringe with
invited theatre-in-education specialists.
September is both
heritage month, and the Michaelmas school holidays. With this in mind, DUT
Drama has traditionally staged a theatre festival with younger audiences in
mind – honouring South African stories, with a strong heritage theme and
educational context.
The previous five
festivals have each showcased a particular Durban writer who specialises in
Children’s Theatre. Under the spotlight have been Gisele Turner (2011), Clinton
Marius (2012), Prof Pieter Scholtz (2013); Dr Gcina Mhlophe (2014) and Neil
Coppen (2015).
The DUT Children’s
Theatre festival was founded by Prof Lutge and goes into its sixth year. “This
year we wanted to look at the festival in another way, and we proudly present a
programme of original home-grown works - all imaginative stories with strong life
lessons,” says this year’s festival co-ordinator, Dr Pamela Tancsik.
Since last year,
the festival is also part of the DUT Digifest – with one performance taking
place at DUT City Campus as part of the Digifest programme.
The Professional
Fringe Festival, embedded into the festival, offers productions from veteran
stalwarts Peter Court, Adi Paxton and Gisele Turner dovetailing with the
commissioned festival pieces to allow for a varied and extensive programme of
work over the weekend for the public.
MAIN FESTIVAL
Friendly Lessons directed and written by Lee-Ann Naicker and students.
The little animals are preparing for their school concert,
during which time they bully elephant. However, after elephant uses his trunk
to rescue two of his classmates who fell down the well, the bullies apologise
and elephant becomes a hero. A play for pre-school and grades 0-2.
September 8 at
09h00 and 10h30 at the Courtyard Theatre:
Siza’s Tale directed
and written by Lee-Ann Naicker and students. When Siza a loyal servant of 10 years makes
a small mistake, the King sentences him to the Lions’ den. The servant’s last
request is 10 more days to spend with his family. During these 10 days,
however, the servant feeds the lions regularly, so when he is eventually thrown
into the lion’s den, they do not harm him. A play for grades 5-7
September 9 at
09h00 and 10h30 at the Courtyard Theatre
Looking for a
Leader. Based on a
traditional African story where an elderly wise chief from a small village in
KwaZulu-Natal is worried about finding the most moral person to follow in his
footsteps as an honourable leader of his community. He calls on the youngsters
of the village to compete in a seed-growing competition. The wise chief,
however conceals, some important information to find the right man among many
wrong ones. A play for grades 2 – 5
September 10 at 10h30
at the Arthur Smith Hall on City Campus.
FRINGE FESTIVAL
2-4-1 Double the Fun - Cherryco Productions. Join popular actress, magician and clown Adi
Paxton in a celebratory interactive double bill! The 2-4-1 programme comprises an exciting puppet story, Pet’s Tale, in which the children help
Petric find his home followed by Cherry the ditsy Clown making fabulous magic. Family
Theatre Age: 3 and up. 50 minutes
September 10
at 10h30 and 14h30 at the Courtyard Theatre
Sunshine Babies from Happy go Lucky Productions. Devised and directed by Gisele Turner and
performed by Deaf actor Sibo Masondo and Mlu Ngidi Specially created for very
young people, Sunshine Babies is a non-verbal production that follows the
sheer exuberance of a day packed with fun activities in Durban’s sub-tropical
outdoors. Expect to be enchanted by innocent shenanigans, playful object animation
and sweet surprises!
Family
Theatre Ages 2 and up. 50 minutes
September 11 at 10h30
at the Courtyard Theatre:
Looking for a Leader - DUT Drama Studies Production. Looking for a Leader is workshopped
by the first year students and written and directed by Pamela Tancsik. Based on
a traditional African story, the wise chief of a small village in Kwa Zulu
Natal sets the youngsters a task to determine who will be eligible to follow in
his footsteps. An interactive play for the whole family.
Family
Theatre Ages 6 and up. 40 min.
September 11 at 14h30
at the Courtyard Theatre
Drip Drop Drip - Creative
Madness written and performed by Peter Court. Water conservation
and the bottled water industry are the subjects of this one-man show which
unpacks facts and figures in a production geared to entertain as well as
educate. Using a variety of creative mediums and magnificently crafted puppets Drip
Drop Drip offers a visual treat with a powerful and important
message.
Family Theatre 50 minutes Ages 10 and up
September 11 at 14h30
at the Courtyard Theatre:
Tickets
R50 (R30 children). Block booking for 10 or more at R 20 each. Productions take
place at the Courtyard Theatre, Steve Biko Road, Ritson Campus, Gate 6. Bookings and information through Lebo
Sibisi on 031 373 1694 (o/h). After
hours: Pamela 082 403 1707 or e-mail: pamelat@dut.ac.za
The Festival is
supported by ASSITEJ SA. Contact person: Pauline Dalais paulined@renweb.co.za
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