Youth take to stage in five short plays

THE Youth Theatre Project, currently in progress and co-ordinated as a pilot project by the Eastern Cape branch of the Performing Arts Network of South Africa, has named the collection of the five new short plays Stage Flight which will be presented at Port Elizabeth's Savoy Theatre later this month.

The name, which plays on the known theatre phrase of "stage fright", has been adapted to give a positive spin of "growing wings to fly".

The project takes young theatre enthusiasts and gives them an opportunity to work in all aspects of a theatre production – from scripting, to directing, to producing.

The committee involved in organising the project has also announced the much anticipated cast lists. All actors fall within the age bracket of 15 and 25, which applies to all participants of the project.

In Lili Flax's play, God is Watching You, Wanie Daniels plays the male lead, Calvin, who desperately wants to find his place and belong, but becomes involved with a local gang.

Kelly Nelson portrays the woman who falls victim to Calvin's gang initiation.

Micayla Fillis, who recently acted in Alexander Road's Noises Off, directs this play, which comments on the horrors of gang initiations.

Rachél Calitz, also last seen on stage in Alexander Road's Noises Off, directs In the Shadow of the Rainbow, which comments on inter-racial relationships and is written by Chantelle Whitehouse.

Kopano Headbush is the male lead, portraying Mandilake, and acts opposite Shannon Olivier, who acts as Martin. Dominique, the love interest of the play, is portrayed by Sarah Morton.

The project's multilingual play, Nimbandini, written by Olwethu Mdala and directed by Miliswa Mbandazayo, tackles the sensitive topic of the violation of women and their rights in the Xhosa tradition of Ukuthwalwa, and encourages abused women to heal their bitter hearts.

Thethelwa Willem and Sinazo Lobishe portray the lead characters.

Michael, the two-character play written by Taryn Benadé, is under the direction of Lungile Lallie. The title character, portrayed by Thando Hanise, develops an obsession over Lily, portrayed by Caela du Toit, who does not return his affections.

A comedy also features in the collection, in the form of Mopanje, with Litha Hewitt- Coleman directing Anne Green's humorous script. The play follows the hilarious antics of the medical examiner and a male nurse.

The performances run from July 30 to August 2.