Shakespeare comedies on stage at children’s theatre
JOBURG - Popular Shakespeare's romantic comedies will dramatised in an interactive performance at the National Children's Theatre in October.
The National Children’s Theatre in association with Wits Drama for Life will present a selection of plays by William Shakespeare in new and interactive performances.
Three of Shakespeare’s well-known romantic comedies and tragic dramas, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Merchant of Venice, have been specifically adapted for grade 8 -12 pupils. Theatre CEO, Moira Katz said she was delighted that Drama for Life students would be presenting Shakespeare in the new Wynnstay box theatre.
“I am equally happy that the team of 14 Drama for Life students under the guidance of Lali Dangazele will be using principles of educational theatre to infuse their performances with educational elements, thus showcasing a new approach to set work presentation in South Africa,” she said.
Drama for Life is an academic, research and community engagement programme based at the Wits School of Arts in Johannesburg. It aims to be Africa’s leader in an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to applied drama, arts education and drama therapy. This will be one of their many forms of school programmes that educate through interactive methods.
Wits Drama for Life students have learnt not only to make theatre, but have also acquired practical knowledge and understanding of how theatre-making can be harnessed to change lives and inspire new possibilities in education.
“I have seen the words being lifted off the pages of the play and brought to life in an invigorated way. I am very excited by the quality of engagement of Shakespeare in a contemporary setting,” said Dangazele, a Wits lecturer, founder and managing director of ShakeXperience, and a well-known actress, producer and applied theatre practitioner.
The plays can be seen at the National Children’s Theatre new box theatre in Wynnstay House on 10 and 11 October at 9.30am for Macbeth, 17 and 18 October at 9.30am for Midsummer Night’s Dream, 24 and 25 October at 9.30am for Merchant of Venice, 26 October at 9.15am for Midsummer Night’s Dream, 26 October at 11am for Merchant of Venice, and 27 October at 10.30am for Macbeth.
Details: Theatre on 011-484-1584.
