? With a new name, new managing team, vision, format and programme, the Baxter’s Zabalaza Theatre Festival (formerly Ikhwezi) will stage 12 productions. Zabalaza means ‘to strive”. It is an opportunity for passionate community theatre groups in the Western Cape to stage their work in a professional and supportive environment. The festival curators visited more than 60 groups and theatremakers. Twenty productions were shortlisted to participate in two mini-festivals, the first held in early April over two days at the Xolani Centre in Nyanga East and Lookout Hill in Khayelitsha.
An independent panel comprising award-winning actors Chuma Sopotela and Faniswa Yiza and development theatre stalwart Mzie Vava helped to select the final 11 productions for this year’s festival. A 12th group, invited from the Eastern Cape, completes the programme. The many directors, actors and scriptwriters were mentored at intensive workshops by experts in stage management, scriptwriting, acting, voice work and direction.
Golden Arrow Studio, Baxter Theatre, Main Road, Rosebank, until June 24. For details of schedules and synopses of the plays go to: www.baxter.co.za/zabalaza.htm. Book at Computicket. Tel: 021 685 7880. Website: www.baxter.co.za.
? Emo and Loukmaan Adams are household names in the local entertainment industry. They grew up in a musical family on the Cape Flats and their early childhood was filled with harmony and song. The brothers were both cast as Broertjie in the original production of David Kramer and Taliep Petersen’s District Six the Musical. Following the success of Brother Love earlier this year, the brothers are joining forces again to explore their relationship, family ties and relate their coming of age.
Main theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre, Rondebosch, until July 1. Book at Computicket. Tel: 021 685 7880. Website: www.baxter.co.za.