For sixty years, The Afrikaans Language and Culture Association (ATKV) has been mentoring the youth and offering them a platform to showcase their acting skills and creativity.
With the ATKV-Tienertoneel, which is their largest and oldest national theatre project, learners are given as many opportunities as possible to get involved in all aspects of a play.
This includes acting, directing, writing texts, costume making, decor, make-up, sound, lighting, stage management, choreography and even marketing.
This year, 3000 teenagers will be participating in 187 productions from July 18 until August 24, at nine regional festivals across South Africa.
Thereafter, a national festival final will be held, where the best of the best will be crowned.
A number of these productions will be staged at The Playhouse Drama Theatre from Wednesday, July 17, to Saturday, July 20.
Some productions on offer include, “Ma Rage In Ballito”, “Die Teater Spook”, “‘n Meisie Moet”, “Kom Ons Speel” and “Die Sewe” among many others.
Opening the festival is “Ma Rage In Ballito”, by Adri Verwey, Nelda Opperman and Carida Mostert.
It follows a group of 2024 matriculants at their end-of-the-year rage party in Ballito.
It centres around Suzanne, who would like to enjoy the festivities, but her conservative Reverend father insists that her mother, Sue, goes with her to ensure that she remains chaste.
To everyone's surprise, it is not Suzanne who needs babysitting, but her mother.
Sue has the whole beach buzzing. Meanwhile, Jack and Delila, Suzanne's cousin and her boyfriend, conspire and try to humiliate Suzanne and get her in trouble with her father.
Delila's plan does not go smoothly. By the end of the craze, everyone is cozy and peaceful, Reverend included.
The cast is made up of Amelia Mostert, who plays Sue, Charlene Breedt as Suzanne, Sechaba Lerutla as Jack with Monica Knepscheld as Delila.
Next up is “Die Teater Spook”, which follows a haunted school theatre.
“‘n Meisie Moet”, which follows the pressures that girls go through in a top private all-girls school, will also be staged.
When the pressure to be perfect becomes too much, the cracks in the masks become visible.
Where: The Playhouse Drama Theatre in Durban Central.
When: From Wednesday, July 17, to Saturday, July 20.
Cost: Tickets start from R60. Day pass tickets are also available. For bookings, visit Quicket.
“Little Shop of Horrors”
Rehearsals are underway for the upcoming Durban High School (DHS) musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”.
The production comes to the DC Thompson Hall at DHS from Tuesday, July 23, to Saturday, July 27.
Following their smash success of “Grease” last year, the DHS boys and the girls from neighbouring schools, have come together to present this year’s musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”, a delicious horror comedy musical about a man-eating plant.
The stage show features music from the early 1960’s that pays homage to rock ‘n roll, doo-wop and Motown music.
According to a statement, the story follows a luckless florist shop worker Seymour, who raises a foul-mouthed, wise cracking R&B singing, carnivorous plant.
“Seymour delights in his newfound fame and fortune that the plant attracts, while trying to impress his co-worker and crush, Audrey.”
Other characters include Mr Mushnik, the grumpy, stingy father figure to Seymour and the owner of the flower shop a as well as Orin, the sadistic, yet hilariously over-the-top, motorcycle -riding dentist.
This year’s production is once again helmed by “Grease” director Liesl Coppin, with musical direction by Tory du Plessis and choreography by East Coast Radio presenter, Danny Guselli.
The award-winning Greg King is in charge of set design with technical by Brandon Bunyan.
“This production will make you laugh and give you all the feels. Join us for a hilarious and wild ride through Skid Row, as you indulge in beautiful harmonies from the 50 strong cast of DHS boys as well as girls from neighbouring schools,” the organisers said.
Where: The DC Thompson Hall at Durban High School.
When: From Tuesday, July 23, at 7pm.
Cost: Tickets range from R80 to R120 and are available from Webtickets. No under-5’s are allowed.