Lightness in our 'playing'

A journalist that came to see Paraphernalia at the National Arts Festival last week, commented on how we managed to create a lightness and quirkiness in our show although it was dealing with a serious issue.

Paraphernalia was born out of that exact intention: how we could use our various theatre talents and skills to tell a story that draws people in, entertains them but also brings an important message about social behaviour. We wanted Paraphernalia to be slightly off the

wall and absurd; we wanted people to chuckle

and giggle; and we wanted audiences to believe that desk lamps have feelings too...

Our 5 shows at NAF went off very well (other than a wobbly first show), and we received some great responses all round to the hard work we put in to bringing this story to life. Combining the skills and commitment of 3 great actors: Cassandra Hendricks, Daniel Robinson and Andrea van Meygaarden; the collaboration of Jesse Kramer, Jacqueline van Meygaarden and Liezel Reddeck on creating the masks and the commitment of a team who've worked with no reward for over a month, we pulled off something to be proud of!

Thanks all for a rewarding experience. You all rock!

Jacqueline

NAF AMAZ!NG

We've just come back from the National Arts Festival in Grahamtown, where we did 5 awesome performances of Paraphernalia. What an AMAZ!ING week... a fantastic venue (Princess Alice Hall), great people, brilliant shows, great atmosphere, lovely warm weather...We couldn't expect more.

Being a french intern working with Cosmos Productions, it was my first time at the National Arts Festival and first time in South Africa, and although I don't come from a theatre background, I really felt the full experience and just loved it.

I have been working on the marketing and publicity for our show Paraphernalia, and helped in running the video projections in the show, and although it was stressful at times, it was all good stress....

Thank you to the Cape Town Edge, all our sponsors, and all the people who believe in us that give us the opportunity to realise this kind of fabulous project.

Célia Fressynet

Cape Town Edge

Cape Town Edge stands for : comedy, drama, visual theatre, physical theatre, satire, musical journey, spoken words, performance poetry....The cutting edge of theatre from the Western Cape.

We will perform with the Cape Town Edge 2010, along with 9 other independent theatre companies based in Cape Town. The idea is to combine resources, share expertise, save on costs etc for all shows traveling to the mother of all theatre festival in South Africa – the National Arts Festival.

CT edge is about theatre companies working together. And having more visibility to build a relationship with our audiences.

We will be on the Cape Town Edge at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown from the 29 june to 3 July 2010. Catch us at Princess Alice Hall everyday at 6pm.

Bring your wooly warm stuff….! We’ll serve Amarula and wine courtesy of Distell.