Ikhwezi Theatre Festival bounces back

Widely regarded as one of South Africa's premier platforms for new and indigenous work, the festival's future was under threat last year due to a lack of funding, despite its phenomenal success for more than a decade. While its continued success is still uncertain, the number of productions for this year has doubled from the original six planned last year, made possible through funding from Distell, Africalia, Media24, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport and the UCT Foundation of Canada.

Significant national event

Festival director Itumeleng Wa-Lehulere said: “It is clear that the festival has now become a significant national event for young theatre-makers. Its impact on the broader South African theatre environment is evident and bears testament to all that Ikwhezi stands for: developing, nurturing and mentoring the abundance of talent in our communities. We are really grateful to our donors who came to our rescue and who ensured that this year's festival would be as exciting as those in previous years. However, if we hope to see this festival continue as a major platform for emerging talent in the future we would have to appeal to the generosity and support of potential sponsors and donors.”

The productions

The 12 productions in the line-up this year are: A Plague of Heroes, The Crossing, Born to Void, Ukuphuma Kwelanga, Zithin'Indaba, Behind my Shadow, Egoli, Kwanele!!!, Allie Pad Funny Worcester, The Blind Man's Judgement, The Voice of a Mother's Pulse, and Trompies.

Over the years, Ikhwezi has showcased close to 200 new works with more than 680 actors, writers and directors who have attended workshops and participated in the festival, conducted under the guidance of highly acclaimed local playwrights, directors and other industry experts.

Previous tutors and mentors have included theatre specialists Mark Fleishman, Mike van Graan, Maurice Podbrey, Paul Griffiths, Suzy Bell, Megan Choritz, Lara Foot, Lionel Newton, Lara Bye, Tenjiwe Ntwana, Timmy Kwebulana, Mbulelo Grootboom, Mdu Kweyama, Chuma Sopotela, Mfundo Tshazibane, Kseniya Filinova, Abey Xakwe and Thembani Luzipho.

The workshops

At the workshops, which form the foundation of the overall vision of the festival, participants are taken through their paces as they learn the finer tasks and duties of a director as well as pre-production planning, casting, rehearsals, opening nights, fund raising, publicity, marketing and finance. Creative writing in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa is also included in the workshops. Sadly, due to the funding crisis last year the workshops for the 2009/2010 period had to be cancelled.

Aims of the festival

The overall aims of the festival include developing critical thinking among audiences and theatre practitioners through the arts; popularising social programmes such as health, environment, education and human rights; using the arts to stimulate community initiatives; developing new playwrights in the Western Cape; and exposing new and up-and-coming actors, writers and directors to mainstream theatre.

Life in the township takes centre stage in the line-up as social, economic and political issues are tackled by the 66 participants in this year's festival. The line-up is jam-packed with local stories, told in different ways, to ensure an exciting and entertaining programme.

The Ikhwezi Theatre Festival runs daily from 11 to 20 March, Mondays to Saturdays, at 10am, 12 noon, 1.30pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm. All evening performances are at 7pm.

Ticket prices are R35 throughout. Book at Computicket on 083 915 8000, online at www.computicket.co.za or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. For discounted block, corporate or school bookings, charities or fundraisers contact Sharon on +27 (0)21 680 3962 or Carmen on +27 (0)21 680 3993 during office hours.