NCT welcomes the public to support their shows and revive the struggling theatre
PARKTOWN – NCT welcomes children to join their workshops every Saturday morning to learn about drama, song and dance.
The National Children’s Theatre in Parktown encourages families to support their upcoming shows in a safe new outdoor venue.
The theatre’s artistic director Daniel Geddes spoke to the Gazette unpacking the benefits of enjoying live theatre, particularly for children who have been stuck at home since the start of the pandemic.
“Theatre offers enrichment, entertainment, social skills, creativity, connection and shared experience in a story,” said Geddes.
He contrasted watching live theatre to watching a TV show saying that theatre offered a live shared experience, a sense of community, a feeling of being seen, collective laughter and applause and immediacy, in contrast to passively watching a TV show.
Geddes said Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the live entertainment industry and the theatre in particular.
“We were closed for six months, shows were cancelled, workshops stopped and we experienced a significant staff retrenchment.”
Geddes hoped that the new outdoor theatre, built in October last year, would bring the community together again to enjoy live theatre in a safe environment.
“I want to encourage the public to support the people who have been struggling for the last 10 to 12 months. Support the people who created all the content that got you through lockdown.”
Geddes was hopeful that the public would realise what they have missed and come back and support the industry with a renewed passion. He has hope that this will bring about a rebirth of the industry despite the obstacles.
The theatre also offers workshop programmes on Saturdays for children aged seven to 17 where children are exposed to drama, singing and dance in a fun and engaging environment.
Locals are invited to support Disney in the Park on 27 and 27 February as well as Peter and the Wolf during the month of March. Tickets are available at www.quicket.co.za.
To find out more about workshops or to support the theatre through donations, email Cindy on cindy@nctt.org.za or call 011 484 1584.
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