(Okwe Bohkwe, Magnet Theatre)
Full
bookings open May 7, 2019.
The dizzying rotation of newsfeeds,
non-stop change and the struggle for something newer, more connected and as yet
unborn, is played out in the works on the National Arts Festival’s 2019 Main
Programme, which is selectively curated by the Festival and its Artistic
Committee.
Held in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown)
from June 27 to July 7 this year, the Main programme forms part of a much
broader offering of uncurated, unsolicited works and multiple focus areas for
discussion and experience. It is a richly stimulating and thought-provoking
journey through some of the issues at the top of artists’ minds and makes for a
deep dive into what South Africa is grappling with and can reimagine if it has
the will.
“As we gear up for this year’s Festival
with the announcement of our Main programme and opening of bookings soon,
excitement levels are high and we’re looking forward to welcoming you to
Makhanda in June,” says Tony Lankester, CEO of the National Arts Festival.
Regarding the progress on the water issues the
City is facing, Lankester states: “I’m happy to confirm that all is still on
track and we’re confident that we will achieve our aim of making sure you’re
safe and comfortable when you visit us. Of course, the issues around our city
continue to receive attention in the media and it’s natural that you may still
have some residual concerns. My message stays the same: we've got this.
Makhanda has some big challenges ahead of it and we’re glad that issues of
service delivery are getting the attention they deserve. Meanwhile we’re seeing
an amazing 'all hands on deck' attitude from our 70,000 residents as we work
together to make sure we’re ready for the Festival influx.
“So take a look through the programme and I
know you will be as excited as we are at the prospect of another amazing 11
days in Makhanda. See you in June!” he adds.
A PDF of the Main Programme is available to
view or download at https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/2019-festival/2019-programme/.
Full bookings open May 7, 2019.
Core to the mood of the 2019 programme is a
desire to reflect on identity. From the rich celebrations of indigenous African
music and dance to reworkings of classical and contemporary pieces, there is a
desire to explore culture and connection, land and belonging. As if a talisman
for this journey, 2019 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance Kitty Phetla has collaborated
with 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz Nduduzo Makhathini in Going Back To The Truth Of Space (Dance),
a submersion into ritual and a struggle for restoration that also merges the
talents of two artists who are separate but connected through intention.
The louder voice of Afro-centric and
Afro-celebrant themes is echoed on through numerous works such as Jefferson
Bobs Tshabala’s Ekasi Lam – An Ode To
Kwaito, Un-Owed To Kwaito (Theatre), which takes the audience into the
heart of township life, and Amawethu (Dance)
that challenges slave-era stereotypes of traditional African spirituality as
demonic and asks that we reconnect with our true culture.
Nowhere is this growing affirmation of
African culture and identity louder than on the music programme, which is
filled with music from the African continent and a blending, remixing and
repurposing of Western, contemporary or classical music into this landscape.
From Ingoma Ka Tiyo Soga, a
collaborative exploration of the 160-year-old works of intellectual, composer
and evangelist Tiyo Soga by visual artist Sikhumbuzo Makandula and
singer/songwriter Mthwakazi to Eastern
Cape Divas with Afro-acoustic, indie-folk singer Nombasa Maqoko and
jazz/performing artist Titi Luzipho.
The Divas are joined by the Kwantu Choir, a
combination of Rhodes students and the voices of the residents of Makhanda’s
Rhini and Joza townships. The Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra will present
the Gala Concert and the Symphony Concert. Also among those taking to the stage
are South Africa’s globally recognised performers Ladysmith Black Mambazo, The
Drakensberg Boys Choir, Mafikizolo, the Springbok Nude Girls and Freshlyground,
to name but a few.
Moving to finding the humour in our very
unique circumstances, South African comedians will sound out our nation’s
psyche in The Very Big Comedy Show,
hosted by Rob van Vuuren and featuring Loyiso Madinga, Tats Nkonzo, Mojak
Lehoko and more.
Continuing
Conversations (Visual Art) challenges notions of
who sees art and where, and considers the juxtaposition of power and
powerlessness, identity and body politics, perceptions of the other and the
exotic, memory, and the masks we wear. The exhibition is made up of about 40
works that have been selected from the extensive collections of the University
of Johannesburg and MTN. Artists on show include Gerard Bhengu, Reshada Crouse,
Wilma Cruise, Phillemon Hlungwani, Maggie Laubser, Judith Mason, George Pemba,
Cecil Skotnes, Irma Sternand Edoardo Villa.
Featured Artist 2019, Berni Searle will
bring a number of works to the Festival as part of this spotlight on the career
of an extraordinary South African artist.
The contemplative and emotive voices of our
storytellers resonate throughout the programme with personal stories of pain
and resilience. From 2019 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre Amy Jeptha’s
haunting time-travelling journey into the memory of displacement and the
restitution in All Who Pass (Theatre)
to a story of searing grief and silence through two characters in Gopala
Davies’s MOONLESS (Theatre). Former Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre
(2018) Jemma Kahn takes it left-field as a scientist befriends a virus in Cellist With Rabies (Theatre).
Literature, history and iconic people have
caught the imagination of many artists as they tackle some of the big themes
these events and visionaries have given us: from Magnet Theatre G7’s raw and
emotional retelling of the country’s excavation of secrets at the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission in Okwe-Bokhwe
(Theatre) to Angola/Camp 13 (Theatre),
a brave and unflinching look at the abuses of power and human rights within the
heady times of Umkhonto weSizwe’s training camps, written by Sello Maseko.
Artists on the Arena explore the works of
Kafka in UJ’s play Metamorphosis and
timeless playwright Zakes Mda’s The
Mother Of All Eating with Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Luntu Masiza. Mda also
inspired award-winning playwright and director Thembela Mdliki’s new play, Where She Walked.
Brett Bailey’s much-anticipated Samson (Theatre) puts the biblical story
of Samson through a sensational treatment, bringing it into the 21st Century to
explore the global underbelly of political extremism, inequality and violence.
The continuing merging and blending of
genres and the growing influence and creative possibility of technology is
evident through an exciting streak of productions running through the
programme, some of which form part of the Creativate Digital Arts Festival,
which runs throughout the Festival this year.
DEURnis/UZWELO (Theatre) is a highly experiential piece of theatre between one
audience member and one actor. Audience members spend 20 minutes in each room
of the piece for a total of 100 minutes of immersion. Swarm Theory is a playful investigation into the possibility of a
collective human intelligence and will take place as public art on the streets
of Makhanda.
The old Power Station will be utilised for Arcade (Performance Art), a durational,
live-art performance curated by Gavin Krastin that sees audiences interacting
with the performances as they happen. UK creative company Curious Directive
brings Frogman (Performance Art) to the Festival, a coming-of-age thriller
within a 360 degree virtual reality environment that will take audiences into a
new era of theatre.
South African born Mira Calix returns to
the country to present In Situ (Music).
Calix sees music and sound as sculptural material and, in this work composed of
two pieces, uses data to inform musical composition.
Among other international contributors to
the Festival are:
-Irish comic Dylan Moran, who holds the
Festival’s record for selling out his show in the fastest time. He returns to town
with a new work, Dr Cosmos (Comedy).
Described as a comedic Oscar Wilde, his acerbic wit will be a tonic for many of
us. I Am Somebody (Performance Art)
by Swedish company Sirqus Alfon is a “high octane, electro clown ride through a
bizarre post-internet world”.
-American actor and playwright Stephen
Fales brings Confessions Of A Mormon Boy
(Theatre) to the Festival. Inspired by his own true story, it follows the
experience of a sixth generation Mormon who is excommunicated from the church
when he comes out as gay. Sexuality and acceptance is also in the spotlight in Pink Money (Dance), a collaboration
between Swiss, Dutch and South African artists. Both of these works will
resonate with the exciting new South African voice at #NAF2019 —the winner of
the Distell National Playwright Competition, Koleka Putuma, who will
interrogate structures and beliefs through her first adventure into
playwrighting in No Easter Sunday For
Queers (Theatre).
-German-Chinese choreographer Hannah Ma
explores rituals that transcend cultural boundaries in Wanderer (Dance) and also brings a light-hearted, poetic interpretation
of the ballet Les Sylphides in Sylphides to the Main dance programme.
Nigerian dancer, choreographer and activist Qudus Onikeku presents Spirit Child, another piece inspired by
a literary work — this time Ben Okri’s classic, The Famished Road.
The Main Curated Film Programme, selected
by Katarina Hedrén, is a journey across time and place. Many of the films on
offer are African in both content and origin but otherwise tackle multiple
ideas and stories. A series of musical documentaries include a fascinating look
at the life of Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti in Finding Fela (2014) and Gimme Shelter (1970),labelled ‘the best
rock film ever made’, Classical fans will enjoy contemporary films of the
exquisite productions of Faust and The Taming Of The Shrew from the Royal
Opera House Collection. The first ever Sarah Baartman Film Festival will host
workshops conducted by filmmakers from 1-5 July and the young residents of
Makhanda will enjoy the Noluthando
Bioscope – showing current favourite films for small people.
The Student Theatre Programme again creates
a space for the critical outputs of student theatre makers with a strong
offering from several South African institutions and private colleges.
Acting Executive Producer of the National
Arts Festival, Nobesuthu Rayi, says: “I would venture that Festival-goers are
going to be challenged, amused and inspired by this year’s programme with its
many layers and textures. Many of us will find ourselves meandering between
‘then’ and ‘now’ with a combination of past reflections and the unsettling
present as we try to figure out what next for humanity and the country we call
home. We are proud to be presenting such a carefully selected programme with
different shades and textures covering such range – from entertaining to
thought-provoking – creating a holistic experience. It’s an experience I look
forward to sharing with you.”
As the Festival celebrates its 45th year,
one of its longest standing partners is Standard Bank. Desiree Pooe, Head of
Group Sponsorships at Standard Bank, commented on the 2019 National Arts
Festival: “On this 35th anniversary of our partnership with the National Arts
Festival, we cannot wait to delve into and savour the delights of the 2019
offering. From the Children’s Festival to the Creativate Digital Arts Festival,
the 2019 Standard Bank Young Artists’ solo productions, world-class jazz,
theatre, visual arts, dance and contemporary music productions, the National
Arts Festival will once again take us to a higher level. On behalf of Standard
Bank, I encourage you to experience, engage, enjoy and show your
#AfricanheART.”
A PDF of the Main Programme is available to
view or download at
https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/2019-festival/2019-programme/
(Note:
The Fringe programme, Creativate and more will be added until the full
programme is complete by the time bookings open on May 7 2019.)
This year, printed programmes will be
available to purchase online for R75, excluding delivery. It will be available
from takealot.com during May — watch the Festival channels for these
announcements.
Festival fans wanting to plan their trip
can pick up some handy tips at https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/news/planning-naf19/
Bookings to all shows open May 7, 2019 –
Buy tickets online at www.nationalartsfestival.co.za or call the Box Office on
0860 002 004.
(To
link direct to the NAF site click on the large banner that runs across the top
of this blog or visit https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za)
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