The recently-published fourth volume in the series Plays for Young Africa by Pieter Scholtz (Spotlight Enterprises) contains Thurkaari, Demon of the Curry Powders and Miranda and the Magic Sponge.
In the foreword Professor Scholtz writes that the two plays were his first attempts to write plays for young audiences.
They were written specifically to accommodate large numbers of students in a range of challenging roles and were designed to provide opportunities for many female performers. Both univer- sities and schools in South Africa have a preponderance of female students studying drama.
PREMIERED
Both plays were premiered on the campus of the University of Natal, Thurkaari, Demon of the Curry Powders with music composed by Kevin Volans.
Professor Scholtz retired last year after having been professor and head of the department of speech and drama of the University of Natal for 20 years.
In all he has written 16 plays for young people. These have been presented by schools and youth groups in South Africa and abroad.