I HAVE attended the Market Community Theatre Festival for a number of years now and most of the plays performed there quite rightly belong to the category "community theatre".
They need further development and polishing but the stories are quite refreshing and amazingly original. If any producer is looking for fresh ideas, this is certainly the place to start scouting for both writing and acting talent.
No wonder the Market Theatre has kept this concept going for 18 years, this year being the 19th year of hosting the theatrical showpiece.
The festival starts this Sunday and runs until July 30 at the Market Theatre Lab in Newtown.
Plays such as 8 Minutes, directed by Clive Mathibe, and Madi, directed by Michael Makou, were selected last year for the Market Theatre's community-based arts season.
The Lab presents the 19th Annual Community Theatre Festival as part of the Market Theatre's main programme.
It is for this reason that the community theatre festival has become an iconic event on the national arts landscape, where more than 35 theatre groups from across the country showcase theatrical works that have never been seen before.
This year the festival was moved from its traditional dates of May and June to allow groups to enjoy the World Cup, while ensuring the highest quality of work.
In line with the national 2010 celebrations, this year's festival promises to bring diverse works that celebrate the beauty of our country, language, heritage and stories.
To understand the scale and significance of the festival, bear in mind that it is during this festival that household names such as Kenneth Nkosi (Kenny Makenzo, White Wedding, Tsotsi), Ronnie Nyakale (Yizo Yizo, A Place Called Home, Rhythm City), Mpho Molepo (Isidingo, Rhythm City) Mduduzi Mabaso (Yizo Yizo) Smangele Mbatha (Zone 14) Terry Pheto (Zone 14, Tsotsi) Harriet Lehabe (Yesterday) Mncedisi Shabangu (Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year 2005) were discovered.
Performances are on Sunday at 2.30pm and Monday to Friday at 10am to 7pm. The festival is sponsored by the Market Foundation, Pro Helvetia and the Netherlands.
Community showcase
I HAVE attended the Market Community Theatre Festival for a number of years now and most of the plays performed there quite rightly belong to the category "community theatre".
They need further development and polishing but the stories are quite refreshing and amazingly original. If any producer is looking for fresh ideas, this is certainly the place to start scouting for both writing and acting talent.
No wonder the Market Theatre has kept this concept going for 18 years, this year being the 19th year of hosting the theatrical showpiece.
The festival starts this Sunday and runs until July 30 at the Market Theatre Lab in Newtown.
Plays such as 8 Minutes, directed by Clive Mathibe, and Madi, directed by Michael Makou, were selected last year for the Market Theatre's community-based arts season.
The Lab presents the 19th Annual Community Theatre Festival as part of the Market Theatre's main programme.
It is for this reason that the community theatre festival has become an iconic event on the national arts landscape, where more than 35 theatre groups from across the country showcase theatrical works that have never been seen before.
This year the festival was moved from its traditional dates of May and June to allow groups to enjoy the World Cup, while ensuring the highest quality of work.
In line with the national 2010 celebrations, this year's festival promises to bring diverse works that celebrate the beauty of our country, language, heritage and stories.
To understand the scale and significance of the festival, bear in mind that it is during this festival that household names such as Kenneth Nkosi (Kenny Makenzo, White Wedding, Tsotsi), Ronnie Nyakale (Yizo Yizo, A Place Called Home, Rhythm City), Mpho Molepo (Isidingo, Rhythm City) Mduduzi Mabaso (Yizo Yizo) Smangele Mbatha (Zone 14) Terry Pheto (Zone 14, Tsotsi) Harriet Lehabe (Yesterday) Mncedisi Shabangu (Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year 2005) were discovered.
Performances are on Sunday at 2.30pm and Monday to Friday at 10am to 7pm. The festival is sponsored by the Market Foundation, Pro Helvetia and the Netherlands.
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