With  the National Arts Festival (Naf) starting today, parents need not worry about their kids as the Children’s Art Festival promises a varied and spectacular lineup for them.
The #11DaysOfAmazing in Grahamstown starts today and runs until July 8.
The Naf contributes R94.4-million to the economy of Grahamstown and R377.15-million to the provincial economy. On average visitors stay for six days, according to the study The Impact of the 2016 National Arts Festival by Snowball & Antrobus.
CEO Tony Lankester said they were ready to host the 44th festival.“We have been encouraged by the proactive way in which a group of businesses, committed government officials and some of our energetic residents have united to get involved in making Grahamstown a town we can all be proud of,” he said, adding that visitors would be greeted by a clean and welcoming Grahamstown.
The Children’s Art Festival offers a creative arts programme specially designed for primary school children, and includes craft, drama, music, workshops and festival productions.
Some of the productions to see are the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra children’s concert (ECPO), Kwasha! Theatre Company’s presentation of The Little Prince, Slick ’n Sleeve’s The Magic Jewel, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, The Cloud Catcher by Richard Antrobus – winner of the Naledi Award Best Theatre for Young Audiences – and The Great Pangolin Mystery.
The ECPO offers a fun and interactive performance in which the orchestral families are introduced using a wide range of music from Africa and further afield.
Originally written in French, The Little Prince is the world’s most translated book outside of religious works. This African theatrical adaptation of the timeless and magical storytelling masterpiece is presented by the Market Theatre Foundation’s new drama company, Kwasha! with choreography and circus skills by the Art of Synergy Circus School.
Described as the story of a grown-up meeting his inner child, it is a philosophical contemplation of loneliness, friendship, adulthood and authority.
The Gruffalo, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler in 1999, is a global picture book phenomenon, having sold over 13 million copies in 75 editions worldwide.
The stage production brings The Gruffalo characters to life, taking you on a wondrous adventure in the deep, dark woods.
The show, with an all-Grahamstown cast, features all the characters, songs and storyline from the smash hit West End production, yet with a uniquely local feel.
Other shows to look forward to in the main programme include performances by this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners Thandi Ntuli (jazz), Guy Buttery (music), Chuma Sopotela (performance art), Jemma Kahn (theatre), Musa Hlatshwayo (dance) and Igshaan Adams (visual art).
This year’s Featured Artist, Mamela Nyamza, is also one to look out for. The Cape Town dancer and theatre maker will be presenting three shows: Hatched, Black Privilege and Phuma Langa.
The festival also features a riot of comedians from breakthrough artists to household names.
Tickets for shows can be booked at the box offices in Grahamstown, or online at www.nationalartsfestival.co.za. The offices are at the Monument, Victoria Girls High and Rhodes Theatre. —
poliswap@dispatch.co.za..