One Act Play

The PE Opera House will be presenting a One-Act Play Competition in the Barn during October. The elimination round will take place from 17 - 21 October at 18:00 every evening. On Friday evening, 21 October three finalists will be chosen to perform at the Gala Event and Prize Giving, which takes place on Sunday, 23 October at 15:00 in the Barn. Marian Lucouw, acting General Manager of the PE Opera House says: “To receive entries from 14 different groups underline the void that exists for adult drama groups who wishes to perform on a professional stage and share their drama talent with their audience. I am delighted that the Opera House was given financial assistance by the Metro and Magnetic Storm to present this Festival and fulfill some of the ideals of our Development Programme.” An added incentive for the winner in this year’s competition will be that the Opera House, with assistance from ECPACC (the Eastern Cape Arts and Culture Council) will sponsor the entry of the winning group to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. An experienced adjudication panel has been appointed using two of the Metro’s respected directors. The panel consists of: Andrew Horne, who is involved in many Port Elizabeth productions and Monde Ngonyama a member of the Opera House Board and a highly respected local director and script writer from Uitenhage. The directors of the groups, competing for the coveted Magnetic Storm Trophy and various appealing monetary prizes, include experienced old hands such as Benito Carelsen, who have previously won the Senior Section of the Opera House Primary Schools Theatre Competition; Duke Mbini from Uitenhage; and well known director and scriptwriter Simphiwe Vikilahle and the winners from last year: Xabiso Zwani and Xolisa Ngubelanga who will each direct their won play. They represent a mix that promises some very exiting plays. Entry for audience members supporting the performances in the Elimination Round will be free, but on the Final Night tickets at R20 will be sold at the door. For more information please phone Siya Mapinda at tel 041-5862256.