The One Act Play Festival is back from April 10th to 12th, showcasing four brand-new South African plays. We were lucky to sit down with Melanie O'Connor Horn, the festival director, to discuss what makes this year's event special, the process of selecting and developing the plays, and her deep connection to the local theatre scene.
A Deep Dive into the Festival's Process
The One Act Play Festival has its roots in the Masque Theatre's Play Reading Program, which Melanie described as the first step in a multi-phase process. "The play reading program is the starting point for the festival," Melanie explained. "We hold monthly play readings where actors rehearse the script, usually just four times, and then perform it for a small audience. This gives the writer a chance to hear their words spoken aloud."
She emphasized that the readings are a crucial part of the process. "A play doesn’t come alive until you hear it," Melanie added. "It’s different from writing a novel where you’re alone with the text. In theatre, the text needs to be experienced by an audience." This opportunity for playwrights to hear their scripts performed gives them essential feedback that can inspire edits, revisions, and refinements to their work.
Following the readings, some plays are selected for further development and then become part of the festival lineup. "Out of all the plays we read, we select four for the next year’s festival," she said. "The plays evolve quite a lot after the reading. In fact, even during the rehearsal process, there are more changes to the text, and I suspect even after the performance, there will be more revisions."
When asked about the plays selected for this year’s festival, Melanie expressed her excitement about the diversity of themes explored. One of the standout pieces is Dust, written by Lauren Bates, which addresses topics like education, reconciliation, and the power of art. "I really liked the fact that it had a good arc," Melanie shared. "You see characters develop, and relationships change. That kind of character development is very realistic, and that’s what drew me to it."
Set in the Cape Flats, Dust revolves around a white teacher working with colleagues and learners from different backgrounds, which sparked important discussions during the play reading. "It generated a lot of conversation after the reading because of its setting and the complex relationships it explores," Melanie said. "It really touched on local issues in a very authentic way."
Another highlight is an Afrikaans production, "H(Eg)," that delves into themes of grief and healing through the character of Klara. "It’s a moving piece about conflict within a family and how we deal with trauma," Melanie explained. "Art plays a central role in this, and it’s touching to see how it provides healing."
Melanie also mentioned Knock Knock by Dawn Garisch, a two-person play that focuses on relationships, and The Dropped Baby, a piece that explores identity and memory in a darkly humorous way. "Both Knock Knock and The Dropped Baby are two-handers, meaning they have just two actors, and they’re both incredibly powerful in how they handle relationships and personal reflection," she said.
Melanie emphasized that the festival is about much more than showcasing new plays; it’s about giving South African writers a platform and encouraging community engagement. "The festival represents the Masque Theatre’s desire to be more engaged locally, to stage original South African work, and to reach out to the community around us," Melanie shared.
She pointed out that the play readings not only involve the playwrights but also bring in new faces. "It’s a wonderful way to bring new life into the theatre," she said. "The writers bring their colleagues and actors, some of whom have never been to the Masque before, so we’re creating a space where local talent is both seen and heard."
Running a festival is never without its challenges, and for Melanie, one of the biggest has been working with a cast under time pressure. "Our cast members are volunteers, they have day jobs, and they’re squeezing in time for rehearsals. It's been a struggle to give them the time and support they need," Melanie admitted. "But I'm in awe of how everyone keeps giving their time and energy for the love of art."
Despite the challenges, Melanie finds the most reward in watching the development of the actors and the way characters evolve through rehearsals. "It’s amazing to see how the portrayal of a character changes over time," she said. "You can see the transformation not only in the script but also in the performances, and that's what makes the process so rewarding."
Looking to the Future: Growing the Festival
Looking ahead, Melanie sees great potential for the One Act Play Festival to evolve. "I think we’ll be taking a big think about how we move forward after this year’s festival," she shared. "We’ve noticed that writers are submitting plays that aren’t one-act plays, and we really want to give them a chance to be heard too."
Melanie believes that expanding the festival to include full-length plays could be an exciting development. "We want to look at how we can stage two-act or three-act plays that are written by local playwrights," she said. "The need for more South African stories on stage is huge, and that’s where we see the festival going in the future."
How to Get Involved
The One Act Play Festival runs from April 10th to 12th at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg. "It’s a small theatre, but it's an intimate space that allows for really meaningful audience engagement," Melanie explained. "After the performances, we bring the cast and the writer on stage and ask for feedback from the audience, which helps the writers continue to develop their work."
Tickets are available through the Masque Theatre's website, and Melanie encouraged everyone to get involved. "Come and see the plays, engage with the writers, and support local theatre," she said. "This is your chance to experience some truly exciting South African work."
For more information and to book tickets, visit the Masque Theatre’s website at www.themasque.co.za.
The Importance of Supporting Local Arts
Finally, Melanie reflected on the importance of supporting local arts and theatre in South Africa. "I feel quite strongly that we don’t yet have enough of a culture of excellence when it comes to writing and theatre," she said. "Good writing only comes through multiple revisions and feedback from others. It’s something we need to continue cultivating, and I hope the festival plays a small role in that."
She also voiced her concern about the underfunding of the arts, both locally and globally. "I think art plays a crucial role in nation-building, and it’s so underfunded," Melanie said. "Art fosters hope, connection, and optimism, and it’s something that we need to continue to nurture and support."
Written by Ryan Growney
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*quotes have been lightly edited for clarity*
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