(The
cast of Mamela Nyamza's “Phuma-Langa”)
(Image by Christo Doherty)
The National Arts Festival is once again
offering those planning on travelling to Grahamstown the chance to snap up some
hot tickets before the full programme goes on sale on May 7, with its ‘Early
Bird’ booking promotion. A selection of shows is on sale at
www.nationalartsfestival.co.za with more being added over the next few weeks.
The National Arts Festival presents a
packed programme of incredible shows, discussions, public art, entertainment
and more! The Festival takes place from June 28 to July 8, 2018, in
Grahamstown.
On sale now are three must-see productions
– one directed and choreographed by this year’s Featured Artist, Mamela Nyamza;
one from Canadian performer Alon Nashman whose multiple appearances over the
years have earned him a strong following among Grahamstown regulars; and acclaimed
director Jade Bowers’ interpretation of a Caine Prize winning text.
“We’re going to be using the month before
we open full booking to turn the spotlight on some of the productions that
demonstrate the breadth and depth of this year’s Festival offering,” said National
Arts Festival CEO Tony Lankester. “In the mix will be some Festival favourites
together with some of the new, innovative work we’re presenting this year, as
well as one or two surprises.”
“By going on sale with these shows early
we’re giving those who have already made the decision to come to Grahamstown
the chance to lock some highlights into their schedule; and we’re giving those
who haven’t yet made their minds up even more reason to join us,” he added.
PHUMA-LANGA:
July 2 to 4, 2018
Choreographed and directed by this year’s
Featured Artist, Mamela Nyamza, the provocative Phuma-Langa is presented by The Forgotten Angle Theatre
Collaborative.
Our young democracy is at a crossroads at
all social levels. Race relations intolerance is at its peak, and our moral
fibre as a nation is at its lowest due to political impasse and chronic
corruption. This work is a call for a construction of the soul, and indeed a
recall for a renewed reconciliation among all South Africans.
Nyamza drew inspiration from the Ndebele
culture among other diverse historical South African experiences, as a way of
depicting renewed social cohesion. “My hope is to be innovative in this
production from the performances to the message I want to get across. I am
trying to reach a milestone where we can revive and promote the diminishing
good within our various cultures,” Nyamza says.
Performed by Nicholas Aphane, Shawn
Mothupi, Lorin Sookool, Thulani ‘Latish’ Mgidi, Nomfundo Hlongwa, Francesca
Matthys, and with costume design by Sasha Ehlers and lighting designed by Thabo
Pule, this production was funded by the National Lotteries Commission.
Tickets R80/R75 – Book https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/events/phuma-langa/
Some reviews of the work:
https://robynsassenmyview.com/2017/09/14/sunrise-and-war-with-a-ndebele-sheen/
https://artscomments.wordpress.com/2017/09/15/phuma-langa-culture-shock/
https://madibasays.wordpress.com/2017/09/16/phuma-langa-we-go-to-war/
MARY
WATSON'S JUNGFRAU
July 1 to 3, 2018
Based on the Caine prize-winning short
story from Mary Watson’s collection called Moss,
and directed by Naledi award winning director and former Standard Bank Young
Artist for Theatre (2016), Jade Bowers, Jungfrau
is a brand-new performance work about families and the secrets that they hide.
The story has been adapted for the stage by
acclaimed actress and writer Ameera Patel who was also a Naledi Award recipient
for Best Supporting Actress in 2017.
Set in Redhill, Cape Town, before
apartheid’s forced removals, Jungfrau
takes a look behind ‘closed doors’ and uncovers one family’s secrets. All of
the characters strive to live by their own unique versions of morality but
their reliance and desperate need for each other complicates matters. Evelyn, a
young girl longing for her mother’s attention and time, finds herself idolising
her aunt Jessica and wanting to please her father, Stephen. Stephen and Jessica
try to comfort Evelyn but the lines get crossed and the sins start to boil
over…
Presented in partnership with Festival
Theaterformen (Germany)
Tickets R80 / R75:
Book -
https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/events/mary-watsons-jungfrau/
ALPHONSE
July 2 to 4 2018
Canadian theatre company Theaturtle brings Alphonse to the National Arts Festival
for its South African debut after touring festivals and theatre stages
internationally.
Alphonse is lost, walking along a country
road, weaving an intricate web of stories, while everyone is searching for him:
parents, friends, teachers, the police. What they find is the thing we often
give up in order to grow up. A weave of stories within stories, with characters
ranging from a regal vacuum cleaner to a melancholy cave. One man, 27
characters, and loads of popcorn!
Made possible with support from the
Canadian High Commission and Canada Council for the Arts, Alphonse is directed and performed by Alon Nashman and the play has
garnered some rave reviews:
“With the impeccable
delivery of Mouawad’s
writing, Nashman practices storytelling at its finest.” –
Edinburgh Spotlight
“Remarkable staging
of Wajdi Mouawad’s
beautifully-written script.” – CBC Manitoba
“A Runaway
Theatrical Success.” – Globe and Mail, Toronto
“Heartpoundingly
great theatre.” Toronto
Star
“Unmissable show of
genius for all ages.” – BBC
“It’s appeal, like the story itself, reaches out
across the generations.” – The Scotsman, Edinburgh
“There’s no more enchanting show in town” – NOW
Magazine, Toronto Dream (Resurgence), and If Jesus Met Nanabush
(De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre).
R80 / R75: Book:
https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/events/alphonse/
For more information about the National
Arts Festival 2018 and for all the latest news on the programme click on the
banner advert at the top of this page or visit:
Website: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nationalartsfestival
Twitter: @artsfestival
Instagram: @nationalartsfestival
Use the hashtag #NAF18
Schedule:
May 7: The full National Arts Festival
programme will go live online and all shows will open for booking
Mid-May: The National Arts Festival printed
programme will be available at select Exclusive Books and Standard Bank
branches, as well as at some theatres across South Africa.
28 June – 8 July
For information on accommodation and more
https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/fest44/accommodation-tips-for-naf18/
ABOUT THE MAIN PROGRAMME
The Artistic Committee, comprising experts
in various disciplines, selects the content of the Main programme. Work from
both within and outside South Africa is considered, with the following criteria
in mind: the artistic merits of any submission; the creation of a varied and
balanced programme and the costs involved.
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