Young 'uns

Founding and early history

The Port Elizabeth Shakespearean Festival was inaugurated in 1960. In 1961 the organization presented its first production, The Lark. In 1974 Themi Venturas, who was elected President, launched an "under-the-age-of-twenty" group of players for the Festival which was called the Young 'uns. As their first production, they also produced The Lark. In 1976 there were 55 members, ranging in age from 13 to 19 years old. Among those Young 'uns who made a significant contribution to the performing arts in South Africa are Alice Krige, Philip Godawa, Themi Venturas, Rocky Mann, Paul Mann, Peter Mann, Gary Carter, Amber Cummins, Carol-Ann Kelleher, Jacquie Gates, Lorraine Kapp, Ian Liston, Mannie Fokos, Bruce Sanderson.

Impact on SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

1974: The Young 'uns produced The Lark.

1975: The Young 'uns produced The Queen and the Rebels, a play about a fleeing queen forced to accept the responsibilities of her position, was staged in the hall of the Holy Rosary Convent in Bird Street. Directed by Themi Venturas. Starring Bernadette Johnson (The Queen), Gwilym Wilkins (The Prince).

1976: The Young 'uns produced Antigone.

1977: The Young 'uns produced Our Town.

1978: The Young 'uns produced Point of Departure.

1979: The Young 'uns produced Night Must Fall (with Theatrum)

1980: The Young 'uns produced An Inspector Calls

1990; The Young 'uns produced The Lark at the Mannville Open Air Theatre in St George's Park, Port Elizabeth between January 30 and February 10, 1990. Directed by Linda-Louise Swain.

Sources

The Lark theatre programme, 1990.

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