The Shakespeare Schools Festival Africa invites prospective participants to “embark on a journey of cultural reclamation celebrating the rich tapestry of African heritage”, reimagining Shakespeare’s plays in a local and contemporary context under the theme “Liberating Our Histories”.
According to Festival Managing Director Blythe Stuart Linger, “This is not just about Shakespeare; it’s about our stories, experiences, and voices. We invite participants from diverse backgrounds, including school learners, drama groups and community youth groups, to come together and explore the narratives within Shakespeare’s works, all while reimagining them in the vibrant context of modern Africa.”
Expanding the Festival’s multilingual offering is “at the heart of our Festival in 2024”, affirms Linger. In recent years, more and more participants have performed Shakespeare in translation - a continuation of “a rich heritage of Shakespearean translations” in South Africa (into languages like Setswana, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Xitsonga, Sepedi, Sesotho and Tshivenda).
In addition, Linger notes, “We promote cultural translation, ensuring that each performance reflects the unique heritage of our participants. But our exploration goes beyond traditional theatre. We encourage various performance methods, from dance and movement to spoken word, acting, singing, and more. The stage becomes a canvas for self-expression, where everyone has a voice.”
So what are you waiting for? The Shakespeare Schools Festival Africa wants you to “be part of a cultural renaissance, a celebration of African history and tradition, and a journey of self-discovery and transformation where young minds thrive and stories take flight . . . From text to movement, from tradition to innovation, we’re liberating Shakespeare’s tales, one story at a time.”
Dates have been set for the Cape Town leg of the Festival, which will take place at the Star Theatre at the Homecoming Centre from 1 - 20 May. Dates for Johannesburg, Durban, George and other hosting cities and towns will be released early next year.