As the
lights came down after yet another National Arts Festival, shows presented at
the curated venue, The Edge, look to what lies ahead.
Since
2010 when the Standard Bank Ovation Awards were introduced, more than half of
the eligible shows presented at The Edge have received this ‘stamp of
approval’. 2017 adds another two names to this list. Theatre for Africa’s
remarkable physical telling of Cattle
Drive and new collaborative Contagious’ production of the epic poem of The Devil and Billy Markham are able to
add the coveted blue and white stickers to their posters, acknowledging these
Fest-debut productions as truly ‘a cut above the rest’ of what was on offer on
the Fringe this year.
“After
running The Edge for the past seven years, I am constantly astounded at the
incredible talent we have on the independent theatre circuit. This year was one
of our strongest offerings yet, and I look forward to even more national
collaborations and new artists on The Edge in 2018” said Tara Notcutt,
long-time convenor of The Edge platform.
Shows
presented at The Edge will continue to share their magic around the country,
post-Festival:
Jemma
Kahn's third kamishibai show is In bocca
al lupo – a graphic, candid and whimsical journey across three continents,
using four story boxes, one giant cicada, a naked Catholic (or two) and one
golden surprise. It premiered at the National Arts Festival in 2016, and is
produced by POPArt Productions and Jemma Kahn, in association with the National
Arts Festival, the Arts and Culture Trust and Nedbank Arts Affinity.
After
the reminiscence of Memorable Moments,
illusionist Stuart Lightbody returns to Cape Town where he is putting together
a brand-new wonder-full experience for his fans. Unique Wonders will be directed by audience choice, adding a new
level of intrigue to his offering.
Both
productions go on to play the Alexander Upstairs in Cape Town.
Klara
van Wyk’s You Suck and other inescapable
truths featuring grade 9 misfit Pretina de Jager is touring to schools and
thanks to a generous sponsorship there are a number of free performances
available. Schools wishing her to visit their school, should contact her on vanwyk.klara@gmail.com. She will also present a new play, End(ing) Game, in Stellenbosch in
August, as part of her PhD.
The
inimitable James Cairns, who according to The Critter“ has mastered the one-man
storytelling show”, performs Shel Silverstein’s funny and fantastical text
about the dangers of gambling with the one who runs hell. The epic poem that is
The Devil and Billy Markham is on
offer for audiences at the Hilton Festival in KwaZulu-Natal which takes place from
September 15 to 17.
The
Herald describes “The two actresses give an exquisitely calibrated performance,
Michele Belknap as the mother and Rebecca Makin-Taylor as the daughter, with
sensitive and subtle direction by the author Penelope Youngelson”, asserting
that “Sillage leaves (an) indelible
mark”. This Gold Ovation Award winning production will be on at POPArt Theatre
in Johannesburg in November, followed by
a KZN tour.
To
link direct to the NAF site click on the large banner that runs across the top
of this blog
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