In the main programme line-up for this year’s National Arts Festival (NAF), almost 80% is either written, directed, curated or headlined by women, with acclaimed playwright, director and producer Lara Foot leading the charge as 2016’s featured artist.
An exploration of national and personal identity is at the heart of Janni Younge’s reimagining of Stravinsky’s much-loved ballet, The Firebird. Younge makes use of contemporary choreography and giant puppets.
This year Fort Hare University is honoured in its 100th anniversary year with the inclusion of two productions centred on literary icon, Can Themba (a Fort Hare alumnus): Crepuscule, a fictional take on the love affair between Themba and Jean Hart in 1950’s Sophiatown; and the biographical The House of Truth, with acclaimed actor Sello Maake kaNcube.
This year’s gala concert will be presented by the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Richard Cock. Violinist Avigail Bushakevitz, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Music, will perform with the orchestra at the Sunday afternoon concert.
Previous winners of Standard Bank Ovation Awards, which reward Fringe productions for innovation and creative excellence, have been invited to participate in the Arena programme. This award-winners’ playground includes productions spanning theatre (Denise Newman’s As ever, Bessie; Tony Miyambo’s Secret Ballot; A Conspiracy of Clowns; The Heart’s Hotel); music (Josie Field and Laurie Levine, Asanda Mqiki, Ottoman Slap and Umle) as well as dance and physical theatre (Chaeli Campaign’s No Fun ction alL anguage and Masidlale Productions’ Kochira).
The Standard Bank Jazz Festival will offer a selection of some of the hottest sounds, including vocalist Siya Makuzeni, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Jazz, who will lead a stellar ensemble of young SA musicians. Also on the programme are headliners Ringo Madlingozi and Caiphus Semenya.
Festival-goers can look forward to a diverse and engaging Fringe programme. Subsidised by the National Lottery, more than 360 productions are expected. With 115 productions, theatre is the mainstay of the fringe festival, followed by dance and physical theatre (59), comedy (56 productions), visual art (42 exhibitions), music (37 acts) and cabaret (20). There’s also family fare and a bunch of illusionists to make sure that South Africa’s favourite open-access platform offers something for everyone.
Booking for the National Arts Festival open on May 9 via www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
Copies of the programme will be available at selected Standard Bank and Exclusive Books branches. — DDR
Centre stage for women at Fest
An exploration of national and personal identity is at the heart of Janni Younge’s reimagining of Stravinsky’s much-loved ballet, The Firebird. Younge makes use of contemporary choreography and giant puppets.
This year Fort Hare University is honoured in its 100th anniversary year with the inclusion of two productions centred on literary icon, Can Themba (a Fort Hare alumnus): Crepuscule, a fictional take on the love affair between Themba and Jean Hart in 1950’s Sophiatown; and the biographical The House of Truth, with acclaimed actor Sello Maake kaNcube.
This year’s gala concert will be presented by the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Richard Cock. Violinist Avigail Bushakevitz, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Music, will perform with the orchestra at the Sunday afternoon concert.
Previous winners of Standard Bank Ovation Awards, which reward Fringe productions for innovation and creative excellence, have been invited to participate in the Arena programme. This award-winners’ playground includes productions spanning theatre (Denise Newman’s As ever, Bessie; Tony Miyambo’s Secret Ballot; A Conspiracy of Clowns; The Heart’s Hotel); music (Josie Field and Laurie Levine, Asanda Mqiki, Ottoman Slap and Umle) as well as dance and physical theatre (Chaeli Campaign’s No Fun ction alL anguage and Masidlale Productions’ Kochira).
The Standard Bank Jazz Festival will offer a selection of some of the hottest sounds, including vocalist Siya Makuzeni, this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Jazz, who will lead a stellar ensemble of young SA musicians. Also on the programme are headliners Ringo Madlingozi and Caiphus Semenya.
Festival-goers can look forward to a diverse and engaging Fringe programme. Subsidised by the National Lottery, more than 360 productions are expected. With 115 productions, theatre is the mainstay of the fringe festival, followed by dance and physical theatre (59), comedy (56 productions), visual art (42 exhibitions), music (37 acts) and cabaret (20). There’s also family fare and a bunch of illusionists to make sure that South Africa’s favourite open-access platform offers something for everyone.
Booking for the National Arts Festival open on May 9 via www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
Copies of the programme will be available at selected Standard Bank and Exclusive Books branches. — DDR
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