ASSITEJ recently challenged Southern African theatre makers to mobilise around the issues of children’s rights, to develop and empower female directors to make work for young audiences in a contest called “From Idea to Action”. Stuart Palmer, Chairman of Lunchbox Theatre, wrote a play called “ILIFA” (The Inheritance) and won the contest!
As part of the prize he and Actress and Director, Amanda Valela, travelled to the Bibu Festival in Sweden on 13th May 2014, engaged in valuable workshops with a well-known Swedish playwright and viewed a range of inspiring work for young audiences.
Upon their return, they developed the script into a richly themed story of self-discovery and the unveiling of a great inheritance. In the play a young boy, called Themba, embarks on a journey of excitement, danger, intrigue and a new reawakening to all things of true value.
This lively, interactive and highly entertaining family theatre which was showcased as part of the Main Program at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in mid July 2014 received rave reviews. Thanks to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, they will be taking the message to 20 schools in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo in the near future. Well done to Stuart, Amanda and their troupe for a job well done and for bringing an important message home! Want to know more? Visit http://www.lunchbox.org.za/our shows/
ASSITEJ, the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, (French: Association Internationale du Théâtre de l’Enfance et la Jeunesse) was established in 1965 as an international alliance of professionals involved in theatre for children and young people.