DCAS Drama Programme ends on a high note in Riversdale

The Eden Drama Festival finale was held at the Riversdale Town Hall on 24 February 2018. The festival attracted participants from all over the Eden region such as Knysna, Dysselsdorp, George, Themnbalethu, Heidelberg, Barrydale, Swellendam and a local group from Riversdale.

This event was hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, in partnership with the Hessequa Municipality, the Baxter theatre’s Zabalaza Festival and the Suidoosterfees.

Mr Andrew Stroebel from the Hessequa Municipality welcomed and thanked everyone for supporting the youth. He also thanked the partners for providing the young performers with the opportunity to showcase their talents. He wished all participants the best for their quest to win the coveted first prize.

Nine productions formed part of the finale, but it was Take a Bow from Dysselsdorp, Team Determine from George and home town drama group Evolution that stole the show.

“This has been one of the hardest adjudication processes in the 8 years I have been adjudicating at the finals. It is the most beautiful sight when you see how these children have grown into the amazing artists they are today,” said Zabalaza’s Zoleka Helesi. Other adjudicators included Lauren Hannie, Lyndsay Cader and Mdu Kweyama.

Awards went to:

• Best Ensemble: Kairos Drama Group
• Best Director: Elton Louw (Act Up)
• Best Writer: Freek Oerson (Most Wanted)
• Best Supporting Actor: Chamigo Stander (Take a Bow)
• Best Supporting Actress: Rocayla Conrad (Most Wanted)
• Best Actor: Stephen Saayman (Evolution)
• Best Actress: Brutney Singrew (Team Determine)
• Best Production Runner up: Team Determine (George)
• Best Production Winner: Evolution Drama Group (Riversdale)
• Take A BOW (Dysselsdorp)has been invited to perform at the Zabalaza Festival.

The Eden festival is the longest running DCAS Drama programme. It has made a major impact on the lives of youth, as well as the arts in the rural areas.

The winner and runner up will get the opportunity to perform at the Zabalaza Festival, as well as at the Best of DCAS at the KKNK and the Suidoosterfees.

DCAS and its partners aim to develop the arts through festivals and to expose the young talent of the Western Cape to different opportunities, BETTER TOGETHER.