(Raeesa
Mahomed)
In 2006, Lotus FM began producing radio
drama and has notched up many successful productions, included the long-running
Lollipop Lane serial created by
Durban’s Clinton Marius.
Now comes the time of the year for Lotus FM
to roll out its annual Shakespeare production. Last year, saw the 2016 matric
setwork Othello, becoming the first
production under this initiative. “The drama was translated into modern English
to make it more accessible to Grade 12s who are battling with the Bard’s
language” says Raeesa Mohamed, Lotus FM’s drama producer. “This year’s matric
Shakespeare is William Shakespeare’s Hamlet
and the station has already started recording a new radio drama serialisation of
William Shakespeare’s drama with a top cast of local actors.”
The cast of top Durban actors include Roger
Service and Tom Read, radio drama icons from their years on Springbok Radio
with a host of Durban productions including the famed The Men from the Ministry, Father Dear Father and The Navy Lark. Also appearing will be
well-known Durban performers Michael Gritten and Philippa Savage.
Gritten plays Hamlet, Service is Claudius, Read
is Polonius and Savage is Ophelia. The script has been adapted by Rory Booth.
The first 15-minute episode will air on July
3, and the drama will be played every weekday at 09h45 and repeated at 21h30.
The production, recorded in D1 at the SABC –
one of the finest radio drama studios in South Africa –will provide a valuable
resource for those studying the play.
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