Something for Playwrights
The British Council is bringing Elyse Dodgson, Associate Director and Head of the International Department for the Royal Court Theatre based in the UK to South Africa and Zimbabwe. The aim of the visit is to meet local playwrights and investigate the possibility of long term collaboration with local playwrights interested in new contemporary writing.
She is looking to meet local playwrights involved and interested in new contemporary writing to discuss the needs and concerns, interests and opinions related to new writing in Southern Africa. She would appreciate guidance on the content for new writing programme collaboration and is interested in seeing as much new writing as possible in any language.
The Royal Court is eager to work with playwrights from Southern Africa and is looking to fill their theatre with excellent international work from the most interesting global playwrights. The information gathered during the visit will be used to identify local partners, make recommendations and prepare a preliminary proposal on the long term collaboration.
The dates for South Africa are as follows: - 14th -19th July – (JHB) 19th -21st (Durban) and 21st – 25th (CPT).
They are keen in hosting one on one meetings and a netowrking session with a range of theatre organisations and playwrights.
Check out the information below, about the Royal Court International Department and the importance of recces. The key thing is that this is an opportunity for local playwrights to influence how we (The British Council) and the Royal Court develop this project – hopefully to the benefit of local playwrights, and the South African sector.
ROYAL COURT INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT
The Royal Court Theatre, London, is Britain's leading national company dedicated to new work by innovative writers from the UK and around the world. In addition to its high profile productions, the Royal Court facilitates international work at grass roots level and develops exchanges which bring young writers and directors to work with artists around the world. The International Department is the arm of the theatre dedicated to the development of new international plays. It was created as a department of the Royal Court in 1996 and has been led by Associate Director, Elyse Dodgson, since that time. The International Department has worked with theatre artists in over 70 countries and in more than 30 languages. Countries that have been involved in long term development projects include: Brazil, Chile, Cuba, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestine, Russia, Spain, Syria, Uganda and Ukraine. Many of these projects also lead to international residencies at the Royal Court, rehearsed readings of plays developed, and international productions. All of these projects have been supported by the British Council and the Genesis Foundation. For more information about the International Department please see: www/royalcourttheatre.com/
The Royal Court Theatre, London, is Britain's leading national company dedicated to new work by innovative writers from the UK and around the world. In addition to its high profile productions, the Royal Court facilitates international work at grass roots level and develops exchanges which bring young writers and directors to work with artists around the world. The International Department is the arm of the theatre dedicated to the development of new international plays. It was created as a department of the Royal Court in 1996 and has been led by Associate Director, Elyse Dodgson, since that time. The International Department has worked with theatre artists in over 70 countries and in more than 30 languages. Countries that have been involved in long term development projects include: Brazil, Chile, Cuba, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Palestine, Russia, Spain, Syria, Uganda and Ukraine. Many of these projects also lead to international residencies at the Royal Court, rehearsed readings of plays developed, and international productions. All of these projects have been supported by the British Council and the Genesis Foundation. For more information about the International Department please see: www/royalcourttheatre.com/
Preliminary Research trips – a note from Elyse Dodgson
"I always travel to every country or region, proposed for a long term collaboration, on a preliminary research trip to assess the need for a workshop, identify potential collaborators/partner organisations and meet with local theatre makers. The research trip is one of the most important parts of our international programme because it gives me the opportunity to meet a wide range of theatre makers involved and interested in new contemporary writing. I try to meet everyone possible who will be able to discuss the needs and concerns for new writing in their country and hope to hear a wide range of interests and opinions.
At the heart of these discussions will be the local playwrights themselves. It is practically not possible to always meet playwrights individually, but I very much welcome meeting groups of playwrights to talk about what they would like to see in this kind of new writing programme. I find open meetings are very useful and am happy to do talks explaining the work of the Royal Court and answer any questions about the international programme. I am also interested in seeing as much new writing as possible in any language.
At the end of the research trip I usually write a full report outlining my meetings and experiences and make recommendations and a preliminary proposal on how I think we could best move a long term project forward. This would lead to further discussions with the British Council and the local partners concerned. Each project is designed according to the discoveries made on the research visit and always in collaboration with local partners. It has been a long dream of ours to work with writers in South Africa and Zimbabwe and this visit will determine how we can finally begin."
"I always travel to every country or region, proposed for a long term collaboration, on a preliminary research trip to assess the need for a workshop, identify potential collaborators/partner organisations and meet with local theatre makers. The research trip is one of the most important parts of our international programme because it gives me the opportunity to meet a wide range of theatre makers involved and interested in new contemporary writing. I try to meet everyone possible who will be able to discuss the needs and concerns for new writing in their country and hope to hear a wide range of interests and opinions.
At the heart of these discussions will be the local playwrights themselves. It is practically not possible to always meet playwrights individually, but I very much welcome meeting groups of playwrights to talk about what they would like to see in this kind of new writing programme. I find open meetings are very useful and am happy to do talks explaining the work of the Royal Court and answer any questions about the international programme. I am also interested in seeing as much new writing as possible in any language.
At the end of the research trip I usually write a full report outlining my meetings and experiences and make recommendations and a preliminary proposal on how I think we could best move a long term project forward. This would lead to further discussions with the British Council and the local partners concerned. Each project is designed according to the discoveries made on the research visit and always in collaboration with local partners. It has been a long dream of ours to work with writers in South Africa and Zimbabwe and this visit will determine how we can finally begin."
(Source - Pansa)
East Coast Radio scoops prestigious ‘Top KZN Brand’ award
East Coast Radio is thrilled to have been announced as KZN’s leading brand for 2012 at the FNB KZN Top Business Portfolio Awards ceremony at the Elangeni Hotel last night. The station was shortlisted together with nine other strong and established brands in the province and is humbled to have won this prestigious award.
The station’s General Manager Trish Taylor says, “Being named ‘Top KZN Brand’ is really a testament to the role that the station plays in the province and this has provided us with encouragement to take the brand to the next level. We are absolutely delighted!”
East Coast Radio would like to thank everyone who voted for the station and who believes that East Coast Radio is the best home-grown brand in the province.
(Source - East Coast Radio)
DVD Review - We Bought A Zoo
Cast - Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson
Directed by Cameron Crowe
This is an amazing film. Based on a True Story. Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon)
tries to start fresh with his family. As a Single Father he decides to take
the family to a fixer upper property. Only then does he discover that it is
a run down zoo. He finds a willing team including the Zookeeper (Scarlett Johansson)
to help him out.
They have to open the Zoo on schedule. Can they do it with the strict Inspector
breathing down their necks?
Watch the movie to find out.
Rating 9/10
Review by Fred Felton
follow him on Twitter - @fredfelton
Society Pages
follow him on Twitter - @fredfelton
Society Pages
Seen at Social Media Day Durban 2012 at @Livingstons_DBN were
Motivational Speaker @ramonthomas and Copywriter @Jexx
Picture courtesy of Falcon's Cove Photography
Motivational Speaker @ramonthomas and Copywriter @Jexx
Picture courtesy of Falcon's Cove Photography
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