Salters One Act Play Festival

Salters' One Act Play Festival

The PEMADS Salters One Act Play Festival was an annual festival which was held for the first time in 1952, and, with the exception of 1963, 1964, 1979, 1980, 1982, and 1994, ran each year until 1998. The Festival was presented by PEMADS in association with the Arts and Culture Trust and Nedbank. In 1988 the festival co-ordinator Liz Yates, administrative assistant Audrey Whitehouse, co-ordinating stage director Manny Fokos and lighting operator Ken Brown, were instrumental in expanding the festival. The 1988 event was the first in 36 years to allow outside amateur societies, schools and drama workshops to participate, with directors and performers graded into junior,novice and experienced categories.

The festival claims that a number of "firsts" occurred there:

- The first such festival to boast English, Afrikaans and Xhosa presentations.

- The first time a "final" round was contested by three selected plays.

- An English-medium school, Victoria Park High School, entered an Afrikaans play, Soet, Suur en Sielkunde.

- The same play, The Bear, was presented twice by the PE College of Education with role swopping.

- The first Salters One Act Play Festival to have not only a professional adjudicator in Bess Finney, but also a professional co-ordinating stage director in Mairi Cameron.

- The Uitenhage Toneel presented Die Sandkis there, the first "out-of-town" entry by a formally constituted amateur theatrical society.

In addition, several entrants, Victoria Park High School, Vista University Drama Workshop and PE College of Education, took part for the first time. The intention was to provide a facility for both novice and experienced directors with an opportunity to present their productions of One-Act Plays to the public. The festival was intended to be seen as a vehicle for growth, experimentation and learning, but above all, for enjoyment and the sharing experiences with the other participants. The festival was always held in the Little Theatre, Belmont Terrace, Port Elizabeth. The festival is no longer staged.

Festival Rules

A Novice was deemed to be a pIayer who had not previously won an acting award, and who had not appeared in a speaking role in more than two plays. There was no age restriction in this area. A Junior performer was deemed to be a player no more than 18 years old, who had not previously won an award for acting, and who hadn't appeared in a speaking part in more than two Non-School productions. A Novice Director was a person who presented their first attempt at Direction. Any entry had to contain greater part of dialog than of mime, singing, music or dancing, and to contain a minimum of two on-stage speaking parts.

Each play had 5 minutes to set their stage and 3 minutes to strike their sets. Penalties applied.

Minimum running time, from curtain to curtain, was 20 minutes with a maximum of 45 minutes. Penalties were applied for short or over times.

The marks were calculated based on the following criteria:-

TECHNICAL (For 24 points)

(i) Sets & Properties - 4 points

(ii) Lighting - 4 points.

(iii) Costumes and Make up - 4 points.

(iv) Sound - 4 points.

(v) Concept - 4 points.

vii) Execunon - 4 points.

DIRECTION (For 30 points).

(i) Concept and Understanding - 8 points.

(ii) Rhythm/Graph - 8 points.

(iii) Blocking - 8 points

(iv) Performances - 8 points.

ACTING (For 26 points).

(i) Characterisation - 7 points.

(ii) Emotional Truth - 7 points.

(iii) Vocal Flexibility - 7 points.

(iv) Focus & Responsiveness - 5 points.

PRODUCTION (For 20 Points)

(i) Entertainment value - 5 points.

(ii) Performances - 5 points.

(iii) Technical - 5 points.

(iv) Creative Risk/Originality of approach - 5 points.

The Entries

1983: Albert directed by Gwyn James, Bang, You're Dead directed by Paul Reakes, Happiness My Goal directed by Norman Holland, The Runner Stumbles directed by Milan Stitt, The Visitor directed by Andre van Vuuren.

1985: Albert's Bridge directed by Jeremy Wallis, Auditions for a Writer directed by H Clayton, Cold Equations directed by Michael Smith, Quake directed by Sharon Rother, Ritual for Dolls directed by Tony Dungey.

1988: A Song For All Seasons, Behind the Mask, Debtor's Prison, Die Ewige Tuiste, Die Insurance Polis, Die Telefoon, Die Voelhok, Dinner For One, Murder Behind The Mask, Patchwork, Red Spy at Night, Sudenly Last Summer, The Busker of Sacre Coeur, and Top Table.

1989: Die Trommel, Nunsense, The Snake Chief, Untimely Ripp'd,

1990: A Galway Girl, Die Koffer, Die Vaal Koestertjie, Die Wildeman, Eva Se Krismiskat, It's a Gas!, Our Man, Pa, Maak Vir My 'n Vlieer, Pa, The General Reviews His Troops, The High-Backed Chair, and The Understudy.

1991: Something Unspoken, Bus Stop, Taken, The Trial,

1992: Appassionata, Die Dood van Chris en die Choreographie van Begrip, In Room Five Hundred and Four,Teechers, The Grey Angel, Weekend,

1993: Deadline Dawn, Die Parrot Woman, Fade to Black, Her Grace Will Be Here, Refusal of Suitors, Roman Believer, The Drapes Come, Toewyding, Vital Statistics and You, Me and Mrs Jones.

1994:

1995: Ai Toggie die Liefde, Ashes to Ashes, Behind the Curtains, Die Wenner Wat Verloor Het, Egoli, Fuses En Ander Konneksies, Marymeit en Miss Rosemary, Nine to Five, Nood Einde, Once a Jolly Jumbuck, Random Moments in a May Garden, Red Spy At Night, Summit, Sweat.

1996: Bitsathebook, Derde Laan Se Critics, Egoli, Living With Lady Macbeth, My Child, Tot Die Dood Ons Skei, Ubuntu, The Proposal, The Victim, Too Long an Autumn and Trolley Troupe.

1997: Bar And Ger, Dilemma, Die Hok, Die Lewe Is Soos 'n Nikkerbol, Exit, Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery, Harry's Christmas, Siyabheda Mzala (Things Are Bad, Cousin), Sorry Wrong Number, The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca the Goldfish, The Last Laugh, The Wizard of Whispers and Vagabond Vampires.

1998: A Case For Two Detectives, Die Klein Prinsie an Afrikaans adaptation of The Little Prince, Die Spinner, Insignicant Others 11, Kaleidoskoop, Op Dees Aarde and Semi-detached.

Adjudicators

1983: Daphne Greenwood (nee Daphne Mann) was a Port Alfred resident.

1985: Beth Dickerson

From 1988, Technical Director Mairi Surtees-Cameron was instrumental in persuading the visiting adjudicators to participate in the Salters One Act Play Festival.

1988:

1989: Bess Finney

1990: Anne Williams

1991: Tammy Bonell assisted by Sarita Loots as regards Afrikaans nuances and interpretation.

1992: Philip Godowa

1993: Pat Fox assisted by Sarita Loots as regards Afrikaans nuances and interpretation.

1996: Jennifer Steyn

1997: Drummond Marais

1998: Drummond Marais assisted by Sarita Loots as regards Afrikaans nuances and interpretation.

The Award Winners

SALTERS' CUP FOR THE BEST PRODUCTION

1988: Die Telefoon - Anlie Weideman - PEAAT.

1989: Natania Kleynhans - Die Trommel - PEAAT

1990: Die Wildeman - Lizinda Schrapler

1991: Something Unspoken - Marion McPherson -

1992: Appassionata - Lizinda Schrapler - Pemads

1993: Die Parrot Woman - Natania Kleinhans - Yu Productions

1995: Fuses En Ander Konneksies - Lizinda Schrapler - Pemads

1996: Tot Die Dood Ons Skei - Marius de Vries - PEAAT

1997: The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca the Goldfish - Sharon Rother - Rother-Swain Drama Studio

1998: Die Spinner - Mariette Dodd - PEAAT

THE NEDBANK DOLL- BEST DIRECTOR

1985: Quake directed by Sharon Rother

1993: Natania Kleinhans - Die Parrot Woman - Yu Productions

1996: Bitsathebook - Robin WiIIiams - THESPA

1997: Sharon Rother - The Extraordinary Revelations of Orca the Goldfish - Rother-Swain Studio

THE GILL BREWIS TROPHY - MOST PROMISING DIRECTOR

1988: Penni Longman - Red Spy at Night - Footlight Future

1989: Luzinda Schrapler -

1990: Barbara Woodhead - The General Reviews His Troops

1991: Luzinda Schrapler - ?

1992: Marion Mcpherson - In Room Five Hundred and Four - Pemads

1993: Martlie Jordaan - Toewyding - Framesby High School

1995: Melissa Sanderson - Once a Jolly Jumbuck - Sanderson Drama Studio

1996: Mzwanele Mgijima - Ubuntu - P E Youth Theatre

1997: Heike Gehring - Die Hok - PEAAT

1998: Marius de Vries - Op Dees Aarde - Pemads

THE CHRISTINE HAMILTON-COX TROPHY - BEST ACTOR

1988: Christie Gericke - Die Telefoon - PEAAT

1989: Wimpie Jansen - Die Trommel - PEAAT

1990: Rudy Olivier - Die Wildeman

1992: Jan Wandrag - Die Dood van Chris en die Choreographie van Begrip – Yu Productions

1993: Jan Wandrag - Die Parrot Woman - Yu Productions

1995: Wilm Jansen - Fuses en Ander Konneksies - Pemads

1996: No award

1997: Robert Stewart - Harry's Christmas - Pemads

1998: Jaco Kemp - Die Spinner - PEAAT

THE GEOFF HARRISON CUP - BEST ACTRESS

1988: Barbara Woodhead - as Mrs Venable in Suddenly Last Summer - Pemads

1989: Janine Grobler - Die Trommel - PEAAT

1990: Linda-Louise Swain - A Galway Girl

1991: Mariette du Toit - Bus Stop

1992: Toni Gennrich - Appassionata - Pemads

1993: Janine Grobler - Die Parrot Woman - Yu Produksies

1995: Jandi Offerman - Summit - Rother-Swain Studio

1996: Jennifer Turner - Tot die Dood Ons Skei - PEAAT

1997: Melissa Sanderson - Bar and Ger - Sanderson Drama Studio

THE DENZIL LEVY TROPHY - BEST NOVICE DIRECTOR

1988: Natania Kleynhans - Die Ewige Tuiste - PEAAT

1989: Mrs Jan Blignaut - The Snake Chief -

1990: Marion McPherson - A Galway Girl

1991: Judy Nel

1992: Josephine Brennan - Teechers - Trinity High School

1993: No Award

1995: Jason Ensor - Red Spy At Night - Victoria Park High School

1996: Marius de Vries - Tot die Dood Ons Skei - PEAAT

1997: Moira Bush - Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery - Rother-Swain Drama Studio

THE WALRO AWARD - BEST FEATURED ACTRESS

1990: Heike Gehring - Die Wildeman

1991: Linda-Louise Swain - Taken

1992: Janis Price - The Grey Angel - Sharon Rother Studio

1993: Cheron Stupart - Her Grace Will Be Here - Pemads / Naomi Nathan - Deadline Dawn

1995: Liza Fouche - Ai Toggie die Liefde - Framesby High School

1996: Zukiswa Caku-Caku - Ubuntu - P E Youth Theatre

1997: Candice van Litsenborg - Exit - Rodsan Productions

1998: Petro van den heever - Op Dees Aarde - PEAAT

THE WALRO AWARD - BEST FEATURED ACTOR

1990: Andrew Weiss - Die Wildeman

1992: No award

1993: Bennum van Jaarsveld - Toewyding - Framesby High School

1995: Pete Kruger - Nine to Five - Pemads

1996: Mark Farrow - Too Long an Autumn - Pemads

1997: Xolani Ngesi - Siyabheda Mzala (Things Are Bad, Cousin) - Non-Stop Entertainment

PEMADS CUP - BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE

1988: Linda-Louise Swain - as Miss Sophie in Dinner for One - Pemads

1989: Ronae Jolliffe - Untimely Ripp'd

1998: Best Actress Tinarie van Wyk-Loots - Die Spinner - PEAAT / Best Actor Egbert Gerryts - Op Dees Aarde - Pemads

THE BOBBY EVELEIGH CUP - BEST JUNIOR PERFORMANCE

1988: Heike Gehring - as the wild one in Die Voelhok - Hoerskool Despatch Toneel

1989: Lushan Mansel - ? - Victoria Park High School

1990: Anel Jacobs - Die Vaal Koestertjie

1992: Carmen Millard - Weekend - Pemads

1992: Claudette Matthews - Joggers - Lawson Brown High School

1993: Deon Wigget - as Dr Vergruis in Toewyding - Victoria Park High School

1995: Phillip Hauff - Red Spy At Night - Victoria Park High School

1996: Nicholas Dickson - Derde Laan Se Critics - Hillside Secondary High School

1997: Bernadine Gardiner - Sorry, Wrong Number - Rother-Swain Drama Studio

EDWORKS AWARD - BEST NOVICE ACTOR

1988: Lisa Hughes - as Catherine in Suddenly Last Summer - Pemads

1990: Robbie Engela - Pa, Maak Vir My 'n Vlieer, Pa

1992: Andrew Horne - Appassionata - Pemads

1993: Danie Snyman - as Michiel in Toewyding - Framesby High School

1995: Lourens Moorcroft - Once a Jolly Jumbuck - Sanderson Drama Studio

1996: Thando Khonkqo - Egoli - Qaphelani School

1997: Jaco Kemp - The Wizard of Whispers - Rother-Swain Drama Studio

THE HELEN MANN MEMORIAL TROPHY - BEST NOVICE ACTRESS

1991:

1993: Sharon Michaelson - as Clara Simpson in Her Grace Will Be Here - Pemads

1995: Tanya Fillis - Nood Einde - Hillside Secondary High School

1996: Amy Liversage - Trolley Troupe - Andrew Rabie High School

1997: Dawn Bolton - Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery - Rother-Swain Drama Studio

THE MARY NASH AWARD - BEST BACKSTAGE MERIT

1988: Peaat - Die Telefoon - stage managed by Andrew Horne

1990: Marion McPherson - for co-ordinating all technical aspects of The Galway Girl

1992: Pemads - Crew of Appassionata

1993: Rother-Swain Studio - Crew of Deadline Dawn managed by Laura-Leigh Randall

1995: Hillside Secondary High School - Backstage team Nood Einde

1996: Gareth WilIiams - Stage Management

1997: Crew of Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery - Rother-Swain Drama Studio

THE HAROLD DAVIDSON AWARD FOR ARTISTIC MERIT

1988: Terry McCarthy - as writer, composer, lyricist and actor - TOP

1989: Natania Kleynhans - Die Trommel - PEAAT

1990: Lance Dodd - for improvement of performance in his role of Dermot in The Galway Girl.

1991- Barbara Woodhead - Something Unspoken -

1992: Natania Kleinhans - Yu Produksies

1993: Brett Adkins for writing Fade to Black and Pete Kruger - for directing Refusal

1995: Brett Adkins for writing Summit and the Hillside Secondary High School cast of Nood Einde Summit

1996: Babalwa Thando - Egoli

1997: Siyabheda Mzala (Things Are Bad, Cousin) - Non-Stop Entertainment

1998: Kaleidoskoop -

LENNONS TROPHY - BEST SCHOOL PRODUCTION

1991: Martlie Jordaan - ?

1992: Trinity High School - Director: Josephine Brennan

1993: [[Hoerskool Framesby] - Director: Martlie Jordaan

1995: Red Spy At Night by Victoria Park High - Director: Jason Ensor

1996: Hoerskool Andrew Rabie - Director: Karen Barnard

1997: Hoerskool Andrew Rabie - Dilemma - Director: Karen Barnard

"LITTLE FELLA" CAMERON TROPHY - BEST TECHNICAL DISCIPLINE

1992: Phillipa Berkeley - Lighting Technique

1993: Marion Mcpherson - for her debut as Festival Stage Director

1995: The Crew - Fuses en Ander Konneksies

1996: Annette Breacker - Lighting Technique

1997: Clara Burbidge as Mrs Dull and Vicky Lunt as Mrs Dismal - The Last Laugh - Sanderson Drama Studio

1998: Mariette Dodd - Die Spinner - PEAAT

BESS FINNEY AWARD - MOST ORIGINAL WORK

1995: Wilm Jansen - Script - Fuses en Ander Konneksies

1996: Hillside Secondary High School - Derdelaan se Critics

1997: Siyabheda Mzala (Things Are Bad, Cousin) - Non-Stop Entertainment

DRUMMOND MARAIS AWARD - BEST CAMEO PERFORMANCE (Introduced in 1997).

1997: Tanya Fillis as Mollie - Die Lewe is Soos 'n Nikkerbol - Hillside Secondary High School

1998: Janine McDonald - as Rose in Die Klein Prinsie

Sources

Evening Post Salters Cup won by PEAAT's 'Die Telefoon' by Bob Eveleigh, Monday, May 2, 1988.

Weekend Post, Saturday, June 16, 1990, Pg 16, "Drama Festival line-up given" by Bob Eveleigh.

Play Festival Talent, by Bob Eveleigh, Weekend Post, May 15, 1993.

Original 1997 Salters' One Act Play Festival programme.

"It was Orca's Cup!" by Mariette Dodd, Show Scene, Evening Post, Tuesday, August 26, 1997.

Pemads programme for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. August 15-25, 2018.

"Afrikaans Theatre wins Salters fest", Theatre Review by Terry Herbst, Eastern Province Herald August 31, 1998.

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