Jump Theatre - How to make a play book launch

The Book Launch - 30 April 2011 (at the National Arts Gallery of Zimbabwe)

Jump Theatre was launched on the 30th of April 2011 at HIFA (the Harare International Festival of the Arts). We had a great turnout of some 80 people: press, HIFA punters, fellow thespians, friends and family.

After an initial meet-and-greet, Kevin and some friends from The Impro Show put on a very condensed version of how to make a play. Which went down well ... and quickly. Which was the idea. They 'staged' an intial production meeting, an audition, some rehearsal, some technical and design meetings and then a performance of the first scene from Macbeth. The show was brazenly entitled Scene 1. The publicity material for this fine show sold the show boldly: "It has to be seen." Stephan, a touring clown from Europe, did admirably as an impromptu Lighting Designer, Sarah from London made a brilliant Sound Designer with her little drum, and the rest of the crew from The Impro Show proved they were worth every stitch of the Jump Theatre t-shirts they wore.

Much wine, beer and orange juice was drunk, snacks were snuck, Bjorn Maes from Africalia said some kinds words about Kevin and the unquestionable need for a book like Jump Theatre in Zimbabwe and beyond. After some book signing, and a good sense of a book launch well done, the team of some twenty helpers helped restore the Northern Gallery to its original glory.

See more about Jump Theatre at www.jumptheatre.com