CAPE TOWN-The young actors at the historic Muizenberg Masque Theatre are looking forward to putting their own unique twist on a classic play this month.
The Masque Theatre’s volunteers are attempting to recapture the magic of the famous Lewis Caroll novel, Alice in Wonderland with Down The Rabbit Hole on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 October.
The play will be showcased by the theatre’s very own Youth Theatre Club and features an all children cast.
The theatre is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO). It was established in 1959 by local attorney Bertie Stern. It’s a space for amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals to practise their craft and sharpen their acting chops. The theatre established a youth club to help young people aged between eight to 18, to learn theatre skills, build confidence, ignite creativity and encourage self-expression. The club also offers monthly hangouts, optional weekly drama classes and news about children’s shows happening in Cape Town.
Down The Rabbit Hole will mark the youth club’s very first production.
People’s Post spoke with some of the young cast members who are tackling this year’s production.
Casey-Ann Kruger (14) hails from Fish Hoek and says she had no prior interest in acting and the dramatic arts at all.
“At the time, I was into storytelling more with writing and art. My mother joined The Masque the same year we moved and my interest in performing slowly increased every year until I started acting this year.”
Ivangely Joubert (12), Capri resident, says she also dabbles in photography and cooking, apart from her love for acting.
“I officially started acting when I was nine. My first experience on stage was when I was at the South African Championships of Performing Arts where I received four silver medals and got into the World Championships to represent South Africa. After that I got a few roles in TV shows. I played Natalie Dormer’s younger self as young Edie in White Lies and Hope Harting in the Netflix series.”
Charlie Mee (15) from Plumstead says he has been learning how to project his voice and to use articulation for this upcoming role.
“What I found challenging was trying to find the right voice for my character learning how he acts. The community definitely would benefit from the theatre as most movies are pirated, but you can’t pirate theatre!”
The play’s director and Mowbray resident Melanie Horn shares her inspiration and history with the theatre.
“My great passion has always been for the theatre. I first discovered this when I was in Standard 2 and my teacher started a drama club. I can remember her lessons clearly to this day. I first became involved at The Masque when I was at high school, playing a small role on stage.”
Over the years she says she has volunteered in many capacities.
“I’ve arranged the schedule for bar volunteers, I’ve done stock-taking, I’ve helped with marketing, admin and currently, I am heading up the Play Reading Programme. I’ve been running drama classes through Spotlight Youth Theatre for many years, and last year I started teaching drama on a Monday afternoon at The Masque.
“The bulk of my work hours are spent as the trainer the Western Cape Forum for Intellectual Disability, so it’s interesting straddling these two different worlds,” she says.
She chose to adapt Alice in Wonderland because there are many interesting roles and small important messages throughout it.
“Most of all, it allows the performers to have a lot of fun. One of my favourite things has been seeing the intergenerational relationships happen.
“Our youngest performers are eight years old and our oldest are 15. I think that the children benefit enormously because they get to grow in confidence and explore new ideas and form relationships outside of their school, so they aren’t stuck in one way of the world seeing them. It allows them to express a different side of themselves,” she says.
Christine Kaye, head of community at the Masque, says: “Our schooling system doesn’t always cater for kids who aren’t sporty or academic, and the theatre is such a safe, creative space for those who lean more towards the arts,”
Down the Rabbit Hole is on 10 and 11 October at 19:30 with a matinee on 11 October at 14:30. Tickets cost R150 for adults and R120 for under 18s and pensioners (60+).
Bookings can be made at Quicket.
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