Bridgetown Theatre Company and Gemini Twins Films are holding auditions for a TV drama series set in Athlone during the 1980s.
In 2021, the theatre company worked with Gemini Twins Films, on the SABC 2 TV drama series, Melody, and it recently started filming on another joint project, The Lagoon, a feature film set in Grassy Park and surrounds.
Filming for Athlone ’85 will take place from Tuesday August 1 to Wednesday August 30, in Belgravia, Athlone, Alicedale, Kewtown, Bontheuwel, Mitchell’s Plain, and Gugulethu, according to the theatre company’s marketing manager, Zelda Hintsa.
The series is about a young man who joins the anti-apartheid movement as he seeks to avenge the murder of his younger brother by the police.
The series explores coloured people’s contribution to the Struggle and its premise was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement of today, said Ms Hintsa.
Despite helping in the fight against apartheid, coloured people remained marginalised long after the advent of democracy, she said.
“Did we also not make sacrifices and die for the struggle for the democratic freedom we enjoy today? This TV drama tells that story. This slice-of-life story is an important part of history that has never been seen on any television or film. We are of the opinion that we have to stop our victim/slave mentality and inform, educate, and entertain the world about the Western Cape ‘coloured people’s’ role in our hard-fought fight for our South African democratic freedom.”
The series is written and directed by Theo Davids and produced by Jamiel Philander of Gemini Twins Films.
Mr Philander said he felt the series would not only resonate with South Africans but also have worldwide appeal.
“Ultimately, with this series we as the ‘coloured people’ are saying, ‘We know where we are going because we understand where we come from.’ We are proud South Africans because our role in the struggle for freedom is respected and acknowledged.”
Mr Davis, said: “In the present day political climate of ‘finding our identity’ and transcending the issue of race, this TV drama series will help our government’s ideal of creating a society that is emblematic of social cohesion, human solidarity and national reconciliation.”
Auditions for all ages will be held at the Bridgetown Community Centre in Cornflower Street, on Saturday June 24, from 10am. To book a spot, call Lauren at 081 791 7946.