Grabouw took centre stage when Artscape Theatre Centre presented its artistic rural programme at Kathleen Murray Primary School on Tuesday, 17 Oct 2017.
Learners were enthralled with the Cape Town Ballet Company’s performance of the ever popular Thumbelina while Jazzart Dance Company dazzled with their Colour of Africa.
Robin Peters of The Voice fame brought the crowds to a frenzy as he performed the hot tunes of Bruno Mars’ Versace on the Floor and That’s What I Like, while Fancy Galada had the feet stomping of her culture-crossing, highly entertaining and energetic tunes
While famous Opera arias were performed by Janel Speelman it was her duet All I Ask Of You with Niel Rademan that kept the audience spellbound.
Integrated to the bill on offer, the Gladys Bullock Dancers showcased that a disability does not hamper artistic expression as the showed some latin and ballroom prowess with a wheelchair bound dancer as partner to the able-bodied dancer.
Artscape Chief Executive Officer, Marlene le Roux said of the Rural Outreach Programme: “It was created to give access to people in outlying areas in the Western Cape, that cannot travel, access to what Artscape patrons would experience on a professional stage. Additionally this programme exists to change the perception of, what was formerly known as the Nico Malan Theatre, as an Apartheid Institution.”
In support of additional development the Artscape Schools Programme offered high school learners a “behind the scenes” insight from a technical and management perspective.
Camillo Lombard kept the production flowing through his artistic direction.Now in its 11th year, it is supported by the Western Cape Education Department and partnered with the Rural Arts Network(RAN) which reaches 746 beneficiaries per week in the Grabouw/Elgin area through their Creative Arts programmes. RAN has an extensive network in the community, which includes the smaller farm schools and the bigger schools in the town. Additionally the programme was supported by Afrikaans.com
