The 19th Absa KKNK festival taking place in
Oudtshoorn from March 29 to April 6 boasts 52 new productions.
Theo Kemp, Programme manager of the
Afrikaans festival, says this year's programme is bursting with "exciting
productions, new venues and a programme that guarantees something for
everyone".
The 52 new productions compare well to the
number of new offerings from previous years. In 2010 there were 32 first
appearances; in 2011, it jumped to 40 debut productions and in 2012 there were
37 new pieces. This year there are a further 40 plays and music productions to
choose from.
Kemp says more productions are available
this year as a new model of scheduling has been implemented. Productions will
play in fixed time slots, which will make it easier for visitors to plan ahead
and allows festival venues to be used more optimally.
Even though theatre is the main focus of
this festival, there are various new music productions, word art and kids
theatre for the whole family to enjoy.
The 52 debut productions include: 20
theatre pieces; 24 music productions (including classical-, music theatre-
& contemporary productions); five word art programmes; two children’s theatre
pieces and one dance theatre piece.
The Absa KKNK plays an integral role in
investing in the production of new work. This year's highlights of new theatre
productions include:
- Balbesit
by the theatre entrepreneur Saartjie Botha. She places rugby on the stage
and in the spotlight, with a focus on issues that matter – on and off the
field.
- Land artist Strijdom van Merwe will
create the landscape part of Garin Haupthfleich's new production Bly. This piece is for anyone who has
experienced being left behind, decided to stay behind and even those who are
just plain happy.
- Charles J. Fourie as writer and director
of Offer, tells the story of a former
political activist who returned to South Africa to expose the truth of a
township tragedy.
- Pruttel
will challenge the boundaries of theatre at the new Baanbreek-venue. All the
experimental, visual and non-verbal theatre productions will take place at this
venue.
- Skrikkeljaar
is a new site-specific production with Layla Swart as director and David
Johnson as actor. This multimedia power tour tells the story of Vincent whose
birthday is on February 29 and how he struggles to find his own identity.
- Award winning director and actress Nicola
Hanekom's debut drama Trippie takes
the audience on a thriller bus tour through the beautiful Karoo. Jaco Bouwer is
the director and Nicola Hanekom and Stian Bam are role players. This production
is done in collaboration with the US Woordfees.
On the menu of new music productions, to
name a few, are Hennie van Greunen's checkityt@route62
with Pedro Kruger as director. This piece is similar to Gly 2011 where new talent is introduced to the audience whilst
singing, dancing and rapping to the rhythm of hip-hop. Dorothy / 60 jaar pays tribute to the formidable Dorothy Masuka and
the imprint she left on the musical heritage of South Africa in the past 60
years. Laurika Rauch, Karen Zoid, Zolani Mahola en die Africa Voices choir will
join her on stage. Christiaan Olwagen's Droom
tells a story of night clubs, being in love and how quickly things can spiral
out of control. Elana Afrika stars in one of these roles.
Highlights of the new word art productions
include Hardop, Karoo - My Hartland
and My Mense.
Poets such as Danie Marais, Toast Coetzer
and Ronelda Kamfer will read some of their poetry in Hardop. The beauty of the Karoo, her people and their stories is
the focus of Niël Rademan's Karoo-My
hartland. Antoinette Kellerman will be seen on stage in My Mense. It's from the pen of Dot
Serfontein, who will be honoured at the annual Kanna-awards this year for her
lifelong contribution to Afrikaans.
The festival will take place from March 29 to
April 6 in Oudtshoorn. Tickets are available from Computicket or visit www.absakknk.co.za for the full festival
programme. Accommodation is available at www.absakknk.co.za
or through the accommodation office at 044 203 8600.
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