The festival will run over two nights, September 3 – 4. On the first night four productions will be staged, while on the second a further three will be performed.“While celebrating the 50th anniversary of Reps Theatre and the 80th anniversary of the Repertory Players, we are pleased to be able to host this annual festival in our theatre,” said Sue Bolt, who chairs the Reps production committee and is also organiser of the 2010 festival. “We are pleased to welcome entries from the Repertory Players in Harare, the Campbell Theatre Club in Kadoma and a new group, four000 miles, which is based in Mutare.”Performances start at 6.30pm each evening and the festival will be judged by one of Zimbabwe’s leading theatre personalities, Susan Hains, who will provide feedback after each play and who will name winners of the 11 awards after the end of Saturday’s performance.Productions to be staged on Friday are Babysitting Calvin and Postal Orders from the Repertory Players, as well as Cream Cracker and Night Temperature from the Campbell Theatre Club.Saturday’s plays will be Happiness from the Campbell Theatre Club, Sins of the Father from The Repertory Players, and Dirty Laundry –– A Family Affair, from four000 miles.“There is an exciting mix of drama and comedy and it is interesting to note that one of the plays, Dirty Laundry –– A Family Affair, has been written and directed by a member of the theatre group,” said Bolt.“Here at Reps we have been promoting new directors and new acting talents through production of one-act plays, which are often dramas or comedies and provide a stimulating opportunity for the enjoyment of theatre, especially by the more serious theatre-goers among us. The plays entered by us and the other theatre groups this year provide entertainment and interest, and we hope they also generate discussion and thought among patrons after they have attended the performances.”Advance booking for the plays is now open at The Spotlight and theatre-goers can choose to come to one or both nights, with a season ticket available at a reduced price to those selecting to attend both nights. The Festival has been held for a number of years and was last year staged in Masvingo. One of its objectives is the stimulation of interest in theatre by actors, technical workers and the theatre-going public. — Own correspondent.
