Eighth Artscape Spring Drama Season

The productions, all by young dramatists from the Artscape's New Writing Programme, are:

• Other People's Lives (13 to 29 September) - Written by Amy Jephta and directed by Sanjin Muftic, it tells the story of four young people forced to face their own cruelty in the aftermath of a violent incident on New Year's Eve. (PG13)

• Champ! (4 to 20 October) - Written by Louis Viljoen and directed by Greg Karvellas, it tells the story of three actors working as giant teddy bears at a shopping mall and the mayhem that ensues after a run-in with a particularly vicious five-year-old. (PG16)

• The System (26 and 27 October) - Written by Anele Rusi and directed by Fatima Dike, it tells the story of a policeman accused of shooting an innocent bystander and of the subsequent inquest that reveals cracks in his psyche as well as those in the system he risks his life for.

• Special Thanks to Guests from Afar (8 November to 24 November) - Written by Nicholas Spangnoletti and directed by Matthew Wild, it tells the story of two South African friends reunited at a wedding overseas and of the attractive stranger who befriends them and challenges their relationship on many levels.

From last year's season, Hol by Nicola Hanekom and Seashells by Rafiek Mammon, earned distinguished awards at the National Arts Festival Fringe in July. Seashells won a Silver Ovation Award while Hol and playwright/performer Nicola Hanekom won the only Gold Ovation Award given. "I was privileged to direct Hol and Seashells," said Fred Abrahamse. "It's always a rewarding experience to be part of the creative process."

For more information on the Spring Drama Festival, go to www.artscape.co.za or follow the #SpringDramaSeason hashtag on Twitter.