Theatre festival brings fresh talent to light
The Isigcawu Theatre Festival kicks off in KwaMashu this weekend with hundreds of aspiring artists staging their productions in the hope of winning a prize and, more importantly, being recognised by industry players.
The festival was started in 2003 to help develop the arts in KwaMashu but seven years down the line, it sees entries from across the province.
Xolani Majozi, marketing manager for the KwaMashu Community Advancement Project (KCAP) said the initiative was important in discovering fresh talent, "for example most of the leading talent in Madame President are products of this project, like Samke Mkhize and Lucky Simayile".
This musical opened at the Playhouse last year and ran in New Orleans over October and November.
Just Don't, a popular ex-prisoners' show was also discovered at the Isigcawu Theatre Festival. It later ran at the Playhouse, Johannesburg Civic Theatre and even in the UK.
"What started as a community event in KwaMashu is now drawing entries from the south and north coasts of the province. It has become a platform for young people to showcase their talent," Majozi said.
Lucky said he first stepped on to KCAP's stage in 2004, not long after being released from prison.
"I was arrested in 1998 for robbery and served seven years. I had read a few articles about KCAP and I decided to go there. When (artistic director and playwright) Edmund Mhlongo saw my talent, he said he would help me shape it. It is because of his stage and help that I am where I am today," he said.
Lucky and his fellow cast members will give the audience a taste of their latest production, Camp 13 at the festival on Saturday, before it runs officially next month.
Groups participating in the festival have to prepare a 20 minute play, with no more than a 10 characters, which is to address issues affecting the community.
The first prize is R6 000, second prize is R3 000 and third R1 500. The event is open to the public at no cost with doors opening at 10am.
Head of the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal Stella Khumalo said her department had supported the festival over the years, as they could see the potential for it being able to give a "proper platform to emerging artists".
"It provides the opportunity for them to mix with established artists. The support we have given over the years is evidence enough that we see potential coming through," she said.