Creativity combined

A three-day drama performed by third-year drama students from the University of the Free State (UFS) is set to offer plenty to theatre lovers. Titled In The Dark, this new drama is specifically created for third-year acting students. The first show starts tonight (22/05) followed by the rest on Thursday (23/05) and Friday (24/05), starting at 19:30 in the Scaena Theatre, UFS campus in Bloemfontein.

The production is directed by Chris Vorster and will be performed in Eng­lish and Afrikaans.

This stage play combines different creative styles, and this makes the project both innovating and a great learning opportunity for the drama students involved. The play is centred on students who get lost in caves and this leads to confrontation, emotional and physical challenges and even humour. Each character handles the crisis differently, they battle to work together, and they are seldom up for the task. In the meantime, the cave seems to come alive and dark shadows follow and manipulate them.

Seven students are featured in this group. The participating students create their own characters and story. They received specific parameters and guidelines for creating these characters. Each student had to “sell” the character to the group and of course motivate his or her choices to the writer.

Marijda Kamper, theatre manager, said after decisions were taken on characters and possible storylines, the play was written, and the script was refined during rehearsals. Another group of students, The Theatre Makers, developed the choreography and some of the visual aspects, said Kamper.

The play has a 16+ age restriction for language. Tickets are available at Computicket (0861-915-8000) and cost R40 (adults), R25 (scholars 16 – 18), R30 (students with valid varsity and college passes) and R25 (pensioners and group bookings of ten).