NAF Spotlight 1 July by HeraldLIVE

Hashtag: #NAF2019 Website: www.heraldlive.co.za

MAXWELL THE BUBBLEOLOGIST

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Your official National Arts Festival guide

Monday July 1 2019

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Photograph: WERNER HILLS

THE HERALD SPOTLIGHT

FRINGE COMEDY

Monday July 1 2019

FRINGE THEATRE

Tats brings humour, openness in his act

TATS NKONZO

Skilful reinterpretation of ‘The Lord of the Flies’ THE LORD OF THE FLIES, UJ Arts and Culture, (St Andrews Hall), July 1 at 2pm. A retelling of the epic story of a group of schoolchildren stranded on an island after their airplane crashes, Lord of the Flies holds true to the original narrative with one or two extras. The striking difference between this production and the book is that all the stranded children are girls. Not detracting from the message brought across through the original novel by William Golding which evaluates and questions how humans, with limited psychological development deal with fear and pow-

er, this production does give the added nuance of how young girls will deal with the tensions involved. Presented by the University of Johannesburg 2019 Arts Academy Students, The Lord of the Flies is littered with questions of humanity. The actresses must be commended for their powerful stage presence which grabs the audience’s attention from the beginning and holds it tightly all the way through. Directed by Ayanda Bulose and adapted by Nigel Williams, The Lord of the Flies is a skilful reinterpretation of a story relevant through all time. –Devon Koen

TOP PICKS

NAF boss shares must-sees

Tats is Cancelled, featuring Tats Nkonzo, (Drill Hall). July 1 and 2 at 1.30pm, July 3 at 7pm, July 5 at 11.30am and July 6 at 8.30pm Life in the digital age of social media means that the patterns of social interaction on line and offline are becoming more synchronised. In this one-man act, Nkonzo proves this by borrowing from social media lingo and culture as it relates to ignorance. To be “cancelled” (digital crucifixion) is to be found to be on the wrong side of wholeness by saying or doing something offensive. In a country as diverse as ours, one is bound to cause offence at some point, intentionally or otherwise. A tenet of stand up, which Nkonzo has mastered wonderfully, is the comic’s ability to own their ignorance and use it on stage. He is candid about the various lived experiences of different identities in our society – an openness mixed with humour. This combination, along with some nudity, allows

the audience to confront their own prejudices in between laughs. But the Makhanda crowd appeared to be a little more uptight than Nkonzo had expected. Although the show is rated 16, and makes its explicitness no secret, it seemed as though sex-themed jokes, on this occasion, didn’t sit too well. It was refreshing to see a straight black man in SA being open about his ignorance of certain lived experiences. To be vulnerable enough to “say the wrong thing” – not to offend, but as a demonstration of a willingness to learn and unlearn. All of this make for an hour of quirky and intelligent humour around issues that divide us most. No group on the South African social landscape is omitted, from the LGBTI+ community to the Afrikaner, and more self-reflectively, for Nkonzo, the black man himself – Sboniso Thombeni ● Tats is Cancelled, from Siv Ngesi Productions, was announced as a 2019 Standard Bank Ovation Award winner on Sunday.

Spotlight asked National Arts Festival CEO Tony Lankester – not exactly a performer in the traditional sense, but certainly performing his duties 24/7 – which five shows no one should miss at the 2019 NA: You're asking me to choose my favourite five children out of several hundred... difficult to do. But I will flag some shows I’m not going to miss:

Cellist with Rabies Jemma Kahn's new work... she’s one of the country's most engaging, intelligent and captivating performers.

ing so.

Slaves to the Rhythm: Analogue to Digital Barry van Zyl and Josh Hawkes are presenting this amazing workshop as part of the Creativate programme. They’re two of my favourite musicians and so this chance to see them up close is a rare one I won’t miss.

Springbok Nude Girls

Rob van Vuuren's 25th anniversary show I was here when he did his first year and I’m still wondering why he hasn’t aged since then.

Drakensberg Boy's Choir I haven’t seen them perform for years, and am looking forward to do-

Their music was a big part of my student years, so I’m looking forward to hearing what they have up their sleeve from their upcoming new album. And then, as a sixth choice:

Faure Requiem Because my wife is singing in it and she's the only family member brave or talented enough to get onto a Festival stage!

Opposite the Arch 38 Somerset Street Grahamstown www.oppositethearch.co.za

Set in a vibey courtyard Major Fraser’s provides an escape from everyday life Wood Fired Oven | Craft Beers Gin on Tap | Delicious Food Monday - Saturday: 11am-10pm Sunday: 11am - 5pm For Bookings please contact Mo: 046 004 0006

Matchbox Theatre Collective and UP Drama Department in collaboration with Dance Initiative Gauteng

The Barista Sisa is an authentically African coffee shop run by the much loved Sisa. Freshly baked breads, homemade savoury bites, sweet treats and the very best coffee in town! Open Monday - Sunday 7am - 5pm

GAS LANDS Milk & Honey Hair & Beauty salon and Beautiful Things gifts stocks local brands including Shelley Taylor Jewellery, Mieks Knickers and Madame Luna Candles. Monday - Friday: 8:00AM - 4:30PM Saturday: 8:30AM - 2:00PM For an appointment call: 046 622 3368 / 079 296 2844

Rhodes Theatre // 5 July (14:00 & 20:00), 6 July (12:00 & 18:00), 7 July (11:00)

Brought together by their quality and imagination, the works on the Festival’s Curated Programme offer a special insight into the practices of culture makers and the ways they seek to heal wounds, articulate experience, and navigate pathways through the situations in which we as humans find ourselves.

THE HERALD SPOTLIGHT

Monday July 1 2019

FRINGE ILLUSION

Peel works his magic THE TRICKSTER, Brendon Peel, (Masonic Back). July 1 at 10pm, July 2 and 3 at 6pm, July 4 at 4pm, July 5 at 6pm, July 6 at 8pm and July 7 at 10am. For his ninth year at the National Arts Festival, illusionist and mentalist extraordinaire Brendon Peel guarantees to blow your mind with his fiery brand of magic. Combining mentalism with psychological illusion, Peel is able to predict the unpredictable, solve puzzles with the snap of his fingers, and bring together a show which is memorable and entertaining. Making use of traditional magic in his one-man show, Peel bringsa witty and engaging stage presence and a personality easily relatable to. Funny from the start, Peel’s witty appeal is not lost throughout his performance which lasts just on an hour but feels like 10 minutes. Originally from Port Elizabeth, Peel is regarded as one of the top illusionists in South Africa, has toured extensively across the country and abroad, and is refreshing in his approach to his audience. Peel’s partner in his other show Carnival Sideshow and Other Magical

USING SENSES: Port Elizabeth performance artist Wezile Mgibe created and performed ‘The Politics of Displacement’ in Arcade

An ‘Arcade’ for curious, cultured Jason Maseko Live art encounter Arcade allowed festival-goers to take a visual and sensory journey of the body at the weekend. Curated by Gavin Krastin of the First Physical Theatre Company, Arcade presented to its attendees a string of immersive experiences set throughout the old Makhana Power Station, what Makhanda now calls the Black Power Station. Though the performances varied in both theme and mode, one recurring concept was the focus on the body and its immense capability, whether as a site of pleasure, as in Tazmé Pillay’s Dancing with Mary, or of inscribed pain, as in Mmatumisang Kgosigadi ya ga Motsisi’s Dumela Mosadi and Tandile Mbatsha’s Intyatyambo Iyaphuma Engxondorheni. Aside from the brightly coloured lights reminiscent of an arcade, most stunning about this series of installations was its consistent focus on sense. No matter which part of the Black Power Station you explored, one could hear, feel, and even smell the ongoing live art performances happening in the other rooms of this maze-like arena. This engaging and visceral exhibition certainly became an arcade for the curious and the cultured.

LIVE ART ENCOUNTER: Tandile Mbatsha created and performed ‘Intyatyambo Iyaphuma Engxqndqrheni’ (Flowers can Emerge From Dumpsters) in ‘Arcade’, a performance art piece at the Black Power Station Pictures: GILLIAN McAINSH

BRENDON PEEL

Things, Li Lau, also made a special appearance on Saturday night with a quick treat of what to expect from their two-man show. Although not to everyone’s liking, Lau’s one trick had many in the audience squeamish but truly interested in seeing what is to come in Peel and Lau’s production. It left many stunned and questioning their own psychological capabilities. A show not to be missed, anyone interested in the art of illusion, magic and mentalism should definitely take the time to watch The Trickster. – Devon Koen

2019

Striking tribute to Goldblatt Five Photographers, a Tribute to David Goldblatt, featuring Alexia Webster (SA), Jabulani Dhlamini (SA), Mauro Vombe (Mozambique) and Pierre Crocquet (SA). (The Monument, Atherstone Room). Until July 7 from 9am to 5pm This exhibition, the brainchild and one of the last projects of the late award-winning and iconic lensman David Goldblatt who personally selected this new generation of photographers, pays trib-

ute to the creative nature of existence in contemporary Africa. This collaboration of four African photographers (with a nod to Goldblatt as the fifth), all from various walks of life, offers a new and refreshing view of the continent – one in which the space and its people are not exploited or misrepresented. Although the themes of this beautiful exhibit range from transportation to paedophilia to collective memo-

ry and community, each topic is handled with grace. We see images taken across Africa - from the streets of Sharpeville to refugee camps in the Congo. The collective theme, though, seems to be one of survival and the idea of life not yet lost. Although each photographer plays with light and lines in their own way, each picture is striking in its telling and re-telling of human stories. – Ophelia Milton

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MONDAY 1 JULY 2019 10:00 11:00

11:30 12:30

14:30 15:30

EXPLORING TECH IN THEATRE STORYTELLING

As the world of technology becomes more exciting, new ways of exploring the art of story-telling are unfolding. How can future artists, writers and directors make use of technology to enhance the creative art of telling their stories? This is the cornerstone of the lecture that writer/director Justin Wilkinson will be presenting as he demonstrates how using technology elements can enhance performances.

INSTAGRAM MASTERCLASS

We all know how to post photos to Instagram and maybe even use a few hashtags, but how can we use it as artists to gain massive reach, build an audience, sell tickets, generate leads and build our artistic community? Steve van Wyk guides you through the process of crafting a strategy for yourself or your company on Instagram.

Is Artificial Intelligence the next revolution in music? Technology has undoubtedly taken over the music industry landscape. In various markets across the world, the music industry is no longer run by music companies but by technology companies. With technology leading the music industry, the question becomes: Is AI the next big thing in Music?

TOUCH ME HARD Obett Motaung’s installation uses coding, LED displays and the human body to explore the idea of the freak and fetish discourses: body, sex and race.

!3'( -#/'

.YP] $ .YP] $

Live performances daily 15:00 - 16:00 (Ages: 16+)

Thomas Pringle Hall * Monument ALL TALKS AND WORKSHOPS FREE OF CHARGE * EXHIBITIONS OPEN DAILY

THE HERALD SPOTLIGHT

Monday July 1 2019

STANDARD BANK JAZZ FESTIVAL

Jazz is alive and thriving among youth This year, the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival (SBNYJF) enters its 32nd year of investing in the country’s young musicians – with yet another unparalleled instalment of great music masterclasses and clinics. The annual festival takes place alongside the Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Makhanda. The weeklong jamboree has, since 1992, emerged as an indispensable training ground for South Africa’s budding jazz stars. Many of the country’s bestknown musicians cut their teeth at the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Festival’s extensive workshops and lectures. Among its illustrious alumni are internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer Shannon Mowday, Swiss-based jazz drummer Kesivan Naidoo, Belgiumbased vocalist Tutu Puoane, pianists Bokani Dyer and Kyle Shepherd, and bassist Shane Cooper. Beyond the world of jazz SBNYJF alumni include Dominic Peters and David Poole of chart topping band Goldfish, along with Matthew Field of Beatenberg. The SBNYJF attracts the best young musicians from across South African schools and tertiary institutions.

They come to the festival to learn, not only from their peers, but to get a unique opportunity to study with some of the best international jazz musicians and local stars who are invited to spend a week sharing intense musical lessons, meals, and lodgings with them. Among the superstars who’ve graced the SBNYJF as mentors are the likes of genius guitarist Lionel Loueke, who regularly plays with Herbie Hancock and Terence Blanchard; American trombone powerhouse Steve Turre; and multi Grammy-award winning arranger and composer Maria Schneider. This year, the students will get the chance to be mentored by American drummer Jeff Siegel, Chinese vocalist Coco Zhao, legendary Swedish trombonist Nils Landgren, or Italian vocaist Susanna Stivali, aside from nearly 150 jazz musicians and teachers gathered from around the country. Mandla Mlangeni, 2019 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, is an exemplary product of the training programme and bands system. He attended his first SBNYJF at the age of 18 and today he enjoys a growing international career as an admired jazz musician.

The festival’s training programme culminates in the best of the participating young musicians being selected into one of two bands annually – the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band (SBNYJB) featuring the top young jazz musicians aged 19-25 years and the Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band featuring the top school jazz musicians in SA. This year sees Justin Sasman conducting the Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band, which will perform not only in Makhanda, but will then go on to perform at a Heritage Day event leading up to the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz in Joburg with American jazz trumpeter, Wynton Marsalis. The Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band will be conducted by 2012 Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner for Jazz, Afrika Mkhize., who is known for his prolific work as a performer and producer. Jazz is alive among the youth. Make sure you see our jazz stars of the future perform at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival. ● Standard Bank National Schools Big Band, DSG Hall Mon 1 July at 5pm, Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band, DSG Hall Mon 1 July at 8.30pm

BIG BAND: Standard Bank National School Big Band with conductor Justin Sassman

JAZZ HANDS: Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band with director Afrika Mkhize

ALL WHO PASS

The new work by the 2019 Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner for Theatre, Amy Jephta

RHODES BOX

1 July (18:00) 2 July (14:00 & 20:00) 3 July (14:00 & 20:00)

SPOTLIGHT ON MAXWELL THE BUBBLEOLOGIST

Monday July 1 2019

CREATING MAGIC: Bubbleologist Maxwell uses bubbles to educate and inspire children

Pictures: WERNER HILLS

Bubbling over with joy Naziziphiwo Buso

Buson@tisoblackstar.co.za

Many performers of things magical use smoke and mirrors of sorts, but would you believe giant smoking bubbles also work – big enough to fit people inside. Maxwell the bubbleologist is doing just that at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda – making your regular bubble bath look boring in comparison. But there’s also a very different, serious dimension to his bubbly entertainment as well – that of helping children, particularly those with special needs, to understand how science works and not to fear failure. And although he’s presenting a highly comical, extravagant and witty over-the-top art show, Graham Maxwell is also very emotional at being able to perform at Makhanda this year. The former St Andrews College pupil is happy to be back at home after

seven years since he left SA with the little money he made doing odd jobs at the National Arts Festival. Maxwell returns this year as a bubbleologist- someone who has studied and is well versed in bubble sciencewith 18 different shows. He uses bubbles to create three dimensional spheres using just his bare hands with some being big enough to fit two people inside. Maxwell also makes smoke-filled bubbles and uses props to create up to thousands of bubbles at a time. “Every year working at the festival’s Cue [newspaper], I used to take photos for about five shows every day and I have always wanted to be a performer. “Bubble science gave me a platform to do that. “This is how I can use my energy and my heart,” he said. Maxwell says his main aim with his shows is to get the youth interested in science and understand how life works

using “edutainment”. “I don’t aim to teach science in my science shows. I aim to inspire curiosity about science to understand the natural world,” he said. “Because of bubbles, I understand how liquid and water moves. I understand cell structure and I even understand the greater cosmos, because bubbles are like the microcosm and macrocosm.” Having developed his show, Maxwell runs three different types of programmes internationally. One is for entertainment where he performs tricks, another as a science lesson where he teaches the basis of life and mathematics behind things, and thirdly, a therapeutic class for children living with autism. “I work with a lot of children with autism and the intellectually disadvantaged in India and England. “It's just so sensory for them, it's a magical bullet. It's the colours’ shape.

“It's the fact that it's here; it's not there. So I do workshops with them – when they can make them – depending on their abilities,” he said, saying that it his most rewarding work. Maxwell also includes snippets of inspirational messages in between tricks, especially about not fearing failure. “I want them to remember something – positive thoughts and positive vibrations when they think of [the show]. “I want children to see that ‘oh, he failed at making a particular bubble’ or ‘he had no problem with it’. I add the inspirational messages because, you know, these people, will remember this experience ,” he said. The Bubble Show is on at Kingswood Theatre in Makhanda on Monday and Tuesday at 10am and 12 noon, and then from Wednesday to Sunday at 10am.

Monday July 1 2019

THE HERALD SPOTLIGHT

FRINGE THEATRE

Passion for flow in Malik’s Verses@Work Verse @ Work, featuring Malik Work, (B2 Arena). July 1 at 8pm. Presented as a poetic autobiography, Verses @ Work takes the audience on an embodied tour of the life of the show’s creator, Malik Work. Moving with ease and flow, Malik tells tales of his youth, focusing primarily on the rise of his hip-hop stardom in New York City. Aside from the intermittent images and videos projected onto the screen, and the passion for flow that comes from Malik’s core, the heart of this piece of multidisciplinary work is its gripping honesty. Malik shares it all with the crowd, from his battle with addiction and the tricky race politics of the business side of hiphop, to the fame that came with following his passion. Though slightly longwinded, and a tad more foMALIK WORK cused on the bevy of women that Malik has left in his wake, Verses @ Work stands out for its brazenness, its use of multimedia, and the incredible ease and flow that Malik maintains throughout. This gritty, vulnerable work is real, personal, and most importantly, chockfull of hip-hop’s quintessential passion. Verses @ Work is a musthave experience for literature buffs and hip-hop fanatics alike. – Jason Maseko

Monday July 1 2019

British star brings cabaret to festival

TALENTED: Cabaret star Samantha stars in ‘Samantha’s Dubious History of Musical Comedy’ Gillian McAinsh Pair the dry Brit humour with an operatic voice and the result is a cabaret called Samantha’s Dubious History of Musical Comedy. Think Victoria Wood, Noel Coward, Benny Hill, Gilbert and Sullivan, Tim Minchin and Tom Lehrer – you get the picture. Going only by her first name, Samantha, 27, is a professional singer from Hampshire, who, like thousands of other kids, enjoyed being part of school musical productions. At school her careers advisor told her to “Stop dreaming and get a job in a call-cen-

tre” so she did what thousands of other star-struck creatives over the years have done: ignored their advice and trained with a vocal coach. A classical soprano with a powerful voice and a wide range, today she sings in many languages including French, Italian, German, Russian and Japanese. She turned professional in 2014 and between 2014 and 2016 she has worked in various productions. She took her cabaret show Backstage Cabaret to London and then to The Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a straight run of 21 days, where it was frequently sold out with standing room only.

She also has appeared at The Groucho Club in London (the members’ club for actor and other performers). 2017 saw Samantha performing a New Year concert in Japan – including an a cappella version of Feed The Birds in Japanese – and starring in the UK tour of The Vera Lynn Story in which she acted and sang the role of Vera Lynn. Dame Vera herself has described Samantha as “clearly very talented”. Now visiting South Africa with her cabaret, Samantha also plans to take it to Australian and New Zealand in 2020. ● Samantha’s Dubious History of Musical Comedy is in the Beethoven Room from July 2 to 6.

The Standard Bank Ovation Awards are given to productions on the Fringe that demonstrate artistic innovation and excellence. The jury seeks out productions that have the courage to open new conversations through the arts.

TODAY’S WINNERS: UNFATHOMABLE

YOU SHOULD BE DANCING FOLLOWSPOT PRODUCTIONS

PREVIOUS WINNERS: A PLACE OF KNOWING

INTSUSA IN COLLABORATION WITH THEATREDUO

LOST & FOUND

MATCHBOX THEATRE COLLECTIVE AND THEATRE ON POINTE

QUAVA VOCAL GROUP

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AND THE BIG BAD METAPHORS UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

MOTHER EARTH NAN HUA TEMPLE

TATS IS CANCELLED

SIV NGESI PRODUCTIONS

#NAF2019 #OvationAwards2019

THE HERALD SPOTLIGHT

Monday July 1 2019

09:00 Phulaphulani Writing Workshop (Workshop) School of Languages ..............139 z Fingo Festival (Multi-discipline)

DAILY LISTING: MONDAY JULY 1 z

z z z

Sound Word, A Woman in Prayer (Poetry / Storytelling) Masonic Front ........224 Still (Theatre) Rehearsal Room .................172 The Blue Period of Milton van der Spuy (Theatre) Princess Alice Hall ......................156 The Bookbinder (Family Theatre)

Victoria Theatre ..........................................50 The Issue of Blood (Dance) Centenary Hall ....

z z

DEURnis / Uzwelo - Groups 1-4 (Theatre)

Hip Hop - Classrooms beyond the Street (Talk, Debate) NELM Theatre ....................136 Tsholofelo (Music) Graham Hotel .............224 The Kingdom of God in an age of uncertainty (Spiritfest talks) Cathedral ....234

PJ Olivier ...................................................29

z z

11:30 z Dangled (Theatre) Drill Hall ....................159 z Fundisa’s Fabulous Adventure (Family Theatre) Nompumelelo Hall ..........205 z Book Launch: Steinheist (Wordfest) Eden Grove ..............................................142

12:00 z A Religion Apart (Theatre) Rehearsal Room .......................................169 z

z z

Bubble Show. Maxwell the Bubbleologist (Family Theatre) Kingswood Theatre ..........204 Flying Solo (Family Theatre) Memory Hall ..52 Hinterland (Walkabout) Rhodes School of

Fine Art Studio Gallery 1 ...............................72 It’s a Guy Thing (Comedy) Dicks ............186 Ityala Lamawele (Theatre) Victoria Theatre 163 Lost & Found (Dance) PJ’s ....................211 Next! (Theatre) Beethoven Room ..............166 PG_13 (Music) Slipstream ......................223 Silkworm (Theatre) Princess Alice Hall ......172 Sisonke “Alive Kids” (Dance) Glennie Hall 212

Sounds Like You and Me (Theatre)

Gymnasium .............................................172 Tell Us More (Comedy) Library Hall ..........194

The Maxhoba Village: Lost Tribe (Theatre)

The Return of the Cypher ( Hip Hop Festival)

z z z z z z

z z

Ingoma ka Tiyo Soga (Walkabout)

12:30 z Umthombo (Dance) Centenary Hall ..........213

It’s About 2 (Theatre) NG Kerk Hall ..........163 Nguvu Ya Mbegu (Theatre) Gymnasium ..166 Spot the Fearless Fish (Family Theatre)

13:00 z Claude Samuel (Music) Graham Hotel .....220 z Coming Home: Poems of the Grahamstown Diaspora (Book launch) NELM Theatre .....138 z Death of a Donut (Comedy) Bowling Club1 .84 z St. Michael’s Marimba’s (Spiritfest)

New Gallery ...............................................73 z z

Memory Hall ............................................205 The Boat (Dance) Great Hall ......................60 The Rooinek (Theatre) Masonic Back .......169 The Sixties (Music Theatre) City Hall ......216

The Thunderbirds Comedy (Comedy)

z z

Library Hall ..............................................196

Cathedral ................................................233

13:30 z Artifice with Stuart Lightbody (Illusion) z

Princess Alice Hall .....................................201 Tats is Cancelled (Comedy) Drill Hall ......194

14:00 z ADHD (Comedy) Kingswood Theatre .........181 z Blurred Lines (Illusion) Masonic Front ......201 z Continuing Conversations (Walkabout) Ntsikana Gallery .........................................75 z

Everyday Disruptions: Collaging and Writing with Ja. Magazine (Workshop) NELM Activity Room ..................................132

Fundisa’s Fabulous Adventure (Family Theatre) Gymnasium ...................205 Gimme Shelter (1970) (Film) Olive Schreiner .........................................127

Jeremiah fyah Ises and the Baakahyaad Band (Music) Slipstream .........................221 Lord of the Flies (Theatre) St Andrew’s Hall .........................................................165

Murdered to Death (Comedy) NG Kerk Hall ........................................................194

Portraits (Dance) PJ’s ............................212 SA / Norwegian Youth Band (Jazz) DSG

Auditorium ..............................................114 Senior Citizens (Theatre) Dicks ..............170

The Boy Who Cried Ninja (Family Theatre) Memory Hall ............................................204

The Fundamental: Life Goes On (Theatre)

This is my house, Kukwami la (Theatre)

City Hall ..................................................161

z z

z z z

17:30 MOjak Lehoko and Mo Mothebe: Two Mics (Comedy) Drill Hall .................................194 z My Home - Kanana (Dance) PJ’s ...........211 z Seasons: Dorothy Masuka Songbook in the style of Vivaldi (Music) Victoria Theatre .97 z Trinity Tenor (Music) Trinity Church ..........219 18:00 A Religion Apart (Theatre)

Barefoot Chronicles (Comedy)

Library Hall ..............................................182 Black Smoke Rising (Walkabout) Park Behind Rhodes Theatre ...............................68 Calluses (Theatre) Dicks ........................158

Carnival Sideshow and Other Magical Things (Illusion) Masonic Back .................201 Clique Claq (Music) Slipstream ...............220 Drums and Dreams (Music Theatre)

Bowling Club ............................................196

City Hall ..................................................215 Last Chapter (Theatre) B2 Arena ............163

Life in Art (Visual Art Workshop)

Trust Me, I’m a Superhero (Comedy)

Winging It! The Turbulent Revelations of Meghan & Shivan (Theatre) Princess Alice .... 178

15:30 Loyiso Madinga Live (Comedy) Drill Hall 189

Little Red Riding Hood & the Big Bad Metaphors (Theatre) Gymnasium .....165 Medusa Incarnate (Theatre) Masonic Front ......................................................166

The Doctor in Spite of Himself (Theatre)

The Drakensberg Boys Choir - Live in Concert (Music) Guy Butler Theatre .............90 The Last Supper (Theatre)

St Andrew’s Hall .......................................159

NG Kerk Hall ............................................165 z z

Tswalo (Theatre) Princess Alice Hall ..........174 You Should Be Dancing (Comedy) Kingswood Theatre ....................................196

18:30 The Taming of the Shrew (Film)

Olive Schreiner .........................................125

19:00 Eastern Cape Jazz Showcase (Music)

The Black Power Station .............................136

The Rooinek (Theatre) Masonic Back .......169 The Lovers; Atrophy & The Fear of Fading; The Ambassador’s Wife (Film triple bill)

16:00 z #Tithes&FeesMustFall (Theatre) B2 Arena.....

174

z z

Nombulelo Hall ...........................................88

How to be a Politician in South Africa 2019 (Comedy) Bowling Club ..................186 Lizzie Gaisford (Music) Lowlander ...........222

Theatre .....................................................82 Bijou (Comedy) Kingswood Theatre ...........182 Cheezboi Flexx (Music) Slipstream ...........220

Joel Leonard does scenes from Hamlet (Theatre) Masonic Back ...........................163 Kafka’s Ape (Theatre) St Andrew’s Hall .....163 Lazola Gola Live (Comedy) Library Hall ..............................................189

Centenary Hall ..........................................208

20:00 Angola: Camp 13 (Music Theatre) Rhodes

The Old Man & The Sea (Theatre)

The Gospel According to Jan Coetzee (Theatre) Princess Alice Hall ......................161 Under The Jacaranda (Theatre) Glennie Hall .............................................175

Rehearsal Room .......................................178

PJ Olivier ...................................................29

Monument Restaurant ...............................137

Nobody’s Fool (Film) Noluthando Hall .......129 Nyakaza-Fetoga Mosha (Dance) PJ’s ....212 Searle@ Noluthando (Performance Art) Noluthando Hall ..........................................67

DEURnis / Uzwelo - Groups 1-4 (Theatre)

When Coasts Meet (Theatre)

Faure Requiem (Music) Rhodes Chapel ...218 Joanne Cooper (Music) Graham Hotel .....222 RoccoCocko (Music) Beethoven Room .......96 The Adventures of Robert Moffat (Dance)

The Hangar............................................ 166

Carinus Annex ..........................................232

Rehearsal Room .......................................169 All Who Pass (Theatre) Rhodes Box ...........27

15:00 z Artivism: The Role of the Black Consciousness Movement in the Arts (Talk, Debate) NELM Theatre ....................131 z DEURnis / Uzwelo - Groups 1-4 (Theatre)

Victoria Theatre ..........................................98 z

Arts Lounge Africa (Live art, talks, exbhibitions) RAW Spot Gallery .................133 Book launch: A Person My Colour (Wordfest) Eden Grove .............................142

19:30 Celebrating African Song (Music)

Eden Grove ..............................................142

17:00 z Curator and Crusader: Marjorie CourtenayLatimer (Book launch) NELM Foyer .........138 z Leonard Cohen - A Tribute (Music Theatre) Lowlander ......................215 z Spha (Music) Graham Hotel .....................223 z Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band (Jazz) DSG Hall ..............................114 z The Lion King (Film) Noluthando Hall ........129 z The Listening Lounge (Music talk)

Schubert and Brahms Trios (Music) Beethoven Room ........................................95

Book launch: Christo Weise (Wordfest)

Princess Alice Hall .....................................168

16:30 z A Place of Knowing (Theatre) z

NELM Activity Room ..................................140

B2 Arena .................................................172 Unfathomable (Theatre) Glennie Hall .......175

The Hangar .............................................182

BASA Scale-up Workshop (Workshop)

14:30 z Benny Bushwhacker (Comedy) z

Olive Schreiner .........................................122

NELM Activity Room ..................................140

B2 Arena .................................................165

No Easter Sunday for Queers (Theatre) The Hangar ...............................................35 Nomabotwe (Music) Graham Hotel ..........222 Robby Collins Live (Comedy) Drill Hall ...194

BASA Scale-up Workshop (Workshop)

Graeme College ..........................................28

uFlorence noWatson neMpuku yoMoba (Family Theatre) Drill Hall .......................204 Veronica’s Monster (Family Theatre)

11:00 z bATTLES! - Iimfazwe - Transportation to the Past (Dance) Site Specific .................208 z Cellist with Rabies (Theatre)

What You Don’t see: A journey of mind reading, mystery & magic (Illusion) Masonic

2Dee (Illusion) Masonic Front ...................201 A Crying orphan (Theatre) Rehearsal

Front ......................................................202 Youth Vocals (Jazz) DSG Hall ..................113

Book launch: Curator & Crusader (Wordfest) Eden Grove .............................142 Printmaking 101: Drypoint (Visual Art Workshop) Carinus Annex ........................232

210

Memory Hall ............................................205 Writing Memoir (Workshop) NELM Activity Room ...........................................139

City Hall ..................................................178

St Andrew’s Hall .......................................169 Samaria (Theatre) Gymnasium ................170 So Naive (Comedy) Library Hall ...............194 Social Reflections (Walkabout) Albany History Museum Foyer .................................77

What if Jesus was a Tsotsi (Theatre)

Room .....................................................158 Born Naked (Theatre) St Andrew’s Hall .....158 Butlers and Bombshells (Comedy) Dicks 184 C-4-Cancer (Dance) PJ’s .......................209 Electric Juju (Theatre) Kingswood Theatre 160

Fingo Square ...........................................140

10:00 #Marimba Musical (Music) City Hall .......218 z A Star is Born - The Rise and Fall of Judy Garland (Music Theatre) Beethoven Room 217 z All Gone (Theatre) Masonic Back .............155 z Arranged Marriage (Theatre) Dicks ........155 z Bubble Show. Maxwell the Bubbleologist (Family Theatre) Kingswood Theatre ..........204 z Holy Communion (Theatre) B2 Arena ......161 z iGruffalo (Family Theatre) Glennie Hall .....205 z Khuluma Mngoma (Theatre) NG Kerk Hall 163 z Mvumbo ya vharema (Dance) PJ’s ........211 z Raiders: The Fallen Crown (Theatre)

z z z

z z

Pets Are Family (Theatre) Gymnasium .....168 Pregnant and Ashamed (Music Theatre) City Hall ...................................................216 Spirit Child (Dance) Great Hall ...................59 The Blazer (Theatre) Dicks .....................156 The Wrong Off-ramp (Theatre) NG Kerk Hall ........................................................178

Touching Myself: An Ode to Audre Lorde (Theatre) Rehearsal Room ........................174 Verses @ Work (Theatre) B2 Arena ........176 What You Don’t see: A journey of mind reading, mystery & magic (Illusion) Masonic Front ..........................................202

20:30 New Year’s Resolutions (Comedy)

Drill Hall ................................................ 194 z

Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band (Jazz) DSG Hall ...................................... 114

21:00 z Black (Theatre) The Hangar .....................156 z Clayton Human (Music) Lowlander ..........220 z The Adventures of Robert Moffat (Dance) Centenary Hall ..........................................208

21:30 James Cairns Against Humanity (Theatre)

z z

Princess Alice Hall .....................................163 Mvumbo ya vharema (Dance) PJ’s ........211 The Prophecy (Theatre) Glennie Hall ...... 168

22:00 z Artificially Infeminated (Comedy) z

z z z z z

Library Hall ..............................................181 Currently (G)old (Theatre) St Andrew’s Hall ........................................................159

Little Red Riding Hood & the Big Bad Metaphors (Theatre) Gymnasium ........... 165 The Grave (Theatre) City Hall ..................161 The Trickster (Illusion) Masonic Back .......202 Trash Hound (Theatre) Masonic Front ......174 Uthakathiwe (Theatre) NG Kerk Hall........ 175 Your Perfect Life (Theatre) Dicks ............179

22:30 The Last Laugh (Comedy) Drill Hall ........189

THE HERALD SPOTLIGHT

10. FRINGE IN 50 Fringe in 50 gives festival goers a snapshot of shows on the Fringe programme. They are listed in alphabetical order.

#Tithes&FeesMustFall Brilliantly taken from page to stage, #Tithes&FeesMustFall portrays the contradicting African vs European culture. This exceptional play is performed by one actor, who plays seven distinct characters throughout. Spectacular piece! AV

2Dee Light and shadow play a vital part in this unique production. Avril Cummings explores storytelling with shadow puppets with audience participation for some improv poetry. Great concept. KK

(not so good) waiter to how he got to where he is today (thank you Eskom). This extremely talented young musician who, along with his boyish good looks and cheeky grin has the world at his feet. Cover songs from various artists as well as original songs are performed to perfection. His beautiful rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ had us all feeling very emotional. KK

Benny Bushwacker A very entertaining performance by a slightly insane conservationist who touches on quite a few controversial issues about our country adding his own special dash of humour. TVO

A Crying Orphan

Big Boys Don't Dance (The Original Hit Revival)

A story of loss, pain, abandonment and a little bit of a twist on Cinderella. This is ultimately a story about encountering hardships but never losing a sense of self, prevailing and succeeding. SB

Oh yes they do! Ash and Brad revive their original hit show with lots of laughter and smooth moves. These Big Boys will have your feet tapping and your hands clapping in between the laughs. KK

Again!

Bijou

It is very clear why Rob van Vuuren is back for his 25 year at the NAF. A sold out first performance as his reputation precedes him and he did not disappoint. A very entertaining and interactive hour suitable for the entire family. JDK

Artificially Infeminated A one-woman comedy portraying characters with wit and smart humour. Her interaction with the audience brought out some shining and some rather shy stars. GS

ArtSpoken A musical journey by four guys from a township called Soshanguve. All their songs were a story on our daily lives, social issues that sometimes we forget to look beyond our means. It was breath-catching. TB

A Religion Apart This performance is a comedic production that portrays two contradicting beliefs making it interesting. One of the main themes of the production is jealousy. A brother kills his older brother in order to take over the leadership of the family and through umngeno inherits his brother's wife. It’s a brilliant untold story based on traditional societies. A definite must watch! TB

A Star is Born - The Rise and Fall of Judy Garland An engaging performance by a very talented singer and storyteller. Judy Garland’s tragic life story was told with passion and grace in an intimate setting. TVO

ADHD A festival favourite is back! Aron Mcllroy gives a hilarious one-man performance on the ups and downs of ADHD. KK

Artifice with Stuart Lightbody A masterful performer and mind blowing real in your face magic. Actual gasps from the audience I was captivated. This is how you make an hour disappear that you will remember forever. NA

Battles! Iimfazwe - transportation to the past A historical tour of events that has to do with the narratives of the past and the language of the present. A theatre act that introduces poetry, story telling, dance (pantsula), visual arts and physical performances, all formed from forms of the creative arts. It speaks about Makhanda, of its division through violence and racial laws. TB

Becoming Liam Another winning Followspot Production debut show follows Liam McDermott from his days of being a

If you enjoyed 2018’s Caliente you will LOVE Follow Spot’s 2019 #NAF2019 offering Bijou. Vanessa Harris leads this insanely talented group of dancers and musicians through a raunchy hour’s worth of the best entertainment money can buy. KK

Black Jade Bowers in this solo performance succeeds in creating the intimacy and vulnerability of sitting across from a new friend and going over old family albums. A riveting tale of how a family fits into the rich tapestry of SA history and how one reconciles it is brilliantly handled and every shout of bravo earned! MM

Bloopers This duo is brought to life by a different approach to some of our own ways spreading a variety of topics from weddings to cultural heritage as individuals. They are lively and make a special take on what is challenged to equate our thoughts into a comedy of ways. GS

Blurred Lines What a show! Greg Gelb gave a spectacular performance. A masterpiece that left us surprised and wondering how he did it. It was a wellstructured, mind blowing close up magic illusion performance that blew away the minds of the audience. KB

Born Naked Is an entertaining lip-synching, buttwiggling dance show, but it is also a touching story about a drag-mother and her adopted child - Blaq WIdow. SL

Butlers and Bombshells An outrageous comedy chock full of slapstick humour and countless one-liners. The theatre piece makes use of audience interaction to drive the who-dunnit murder mystery. RO

Carnival Sideshow and Other Magical Things An impressive start grabs your attention, followed by tricks and stunts using objects ranging from Rubik cubes and string to cards and crushed glass. The Brendon Peel / Li Lau duo, along with eager sidekick Phil, entertained and amazed, drawing lots of oohs and aahs from a young audience. LG

Clique Claq This Port Elizabeth band offers an impressive and engaging set by an extremely talented group of musicians complimented by a vocalist whose voice range stretches from

sunshine to chocolate velvet. A seriously good show and real entertainment, a sound too big for the stage they are standing on right now! LK

Death of a Donut An interactive who-done-it comedy show of murder and mayhem, doughnuts and dastardly deception.The packed teen audience loved the process, great fun indeed. LK

Dr Stef's Sidesplitting Hypnosis Á very entertaining show that leaves you wondering if it is real or not. But then, why would a person eat an onion believing it was an apple? This hilarious show which relies on volunteers leaves the audience begging for more. KB

Drums and Dreams This play reflects the dilemma of orphans in foster care homes. The protagonist is abused by both her uncle and aunt, sexually and physically. As she leaves her foster home she lands in the hands of an exploitative lover in the city of gold – Johannesburg. This piece is suitable for adults as it portrays a lot of sexual acts and violence. MQ

Duende Dave Starke and Nish Pillay perform a collection of beautiful and powerful original songs. One can feel the emotional intensity of the writer portraying different elements about today’s world. The lighting and sound creates an atmosphere that makes one connect with the songs. TB

Electric Juju As one might imagine, Van Vuuren's reputation precedes him and he does not disappoint with this magical mystical story set in a unique and ethereal world unlike any you have ever seen. Teen to adult audiences will enjoy it. LK

Faure Requiem This celebration of a mixture of vocal song and string instruments with the aid of an organ is spontaneous and awakens your senses. GS

Florence and Watson present the Great Pangolin Mystery A marvellous performance by Florence and Watson where they take us on their village journey of trying to show/teach us that every person/thing has a role to play in our society regardless of how small, tall, thin you may be, but you can make a difference. KB

Forever Young This is a thought provoking look into the life of Byron who committed suicide at age 33, delving into his psyche and all the factors that influenced his life choices. Brilliant use of multimedia and excellent song choices to match. TVO

Fundisa's Fabulous Adventure Six brilliant performers present a heart-warming musical comedy. Fundisa is a young girl who lives in a colourful South African township. She dreams of one day becoming a pilot and reaching the stars, despite being told that girls can’t fly. SH

How To Be a Politician in SA This solo act covers a wide variety of political influences which make us realise how some people vote according to their own political preference. He uses the audience in an exchange of ideals and consequence. GS

iGruffalo An amazing show for the family about a brave rhodent who journeys through the forest. Actors exhibit excellent singing and choreography skills. IM

Monday July 1 2019 It's a Guy Thing

Lost & Found

Good dirty comedy delivered with a uniquely South African flavour. A refreshingly tasteful adult show for people with an irreverent sense of humour. LK

The lighting, music and use of simple yet effective props all played a part to enthrall the audience. The clever inclusion of digital media was pivotal to the plot. TVO

It's About 2

Love ‘n Greed

An emotional account of how secrets and infidelity destroy the marriages of two households which lead otherwise virtuous lives. With beautiful hymns, poetry and physical performances, this tragic drama with a surprising twist proved to be captivating! The mixture of SeTswana, isiZulu and isiXhosa made it even more special. MM

The film is about a young couple that have recently married and moved into a new house because the husband is a successful business man. The film has an interesting twist to the storyline, and it touches on daily challenges. SR

Ityala Lamawele An emotional yet exciting drama about twins who have gone through challenges such as growing up after the death of their father. This is a Xhosa piece that creates the beauty of who is AmaXhosa. TB

James Cairns Against Humanity Zany comedy where every show is different. This one-man improv stand-up comedy presents a unique performance where the audience (Humanity) must battle it out with James Cairns in a game show based on a popular card game. WK

Joanne Cooper Join the warm and friendly Joanne Cooper as she takes you on a trip down memory lane. The setting is casual and intimate and audience participation is encouraged. TVO

Joel Leonard Amazing one man show with a modern day interpretation on Hamlet. Wonderful audience interaction, hilarious and very thought provoking at the same time. Superb performance, one definitely not to be missed. VJ

Kafka’s Ape A simulating exhibition of a primates battle through the stereotypical type of human identity. The narrator uses simple antics through the values of being a closed animal wanting to get out of our social boundaries with in our primal instincts. With slight humour this will entice you to a visual treat by a solo man. GS

Last Chapter Last Chapter is performed by three young talented actors, who take us through two spiritual beliefs which are ancestral beliefs and believing in God. Their performance was funny, and breath-taking. SR

Lazola Gola Live A brilliant performance by Lazola Gola that any mature audience can relate to! He has this fascinating way of dealing with what's considered taboo in a way that will leave you thinking … as you recover from all the laughter, presented by a comedian that we have come to love on Bantu Hour. SN

Leonard Cohen -A Tribute Dave Starke gives an exceptional tribute to the legendary singer, songwriter and poet, Leonard Cohen. WK

Little Red Riding Hood & the Big Bad Metaphors An absolutely fantastic performance! The show written by Mike van Graan highlights world issues interwoven into the classic tale. MC

Lord of the Flies An Africanised modern, feminine twist on the dark classic tale. The cast delivered their voices with confidence and clarity. A well-coordinated soundtrack and highly effective lighting, along with recycled stage props made for a refreshing final impression. MC

Maxwell the Bubbleologist This is an amazingly enchanting show that will make everyone feel their inner child again no matter how old you are. A very touching and hilarious show. It uses emotion, humour and the magical science of bubbles. An absolutely amazing show for absolutely everyone. PB.

Medusa Incarnate A one-woman show from a garish Hades almost brought up-to date because her Internet is still dial-up. The show is funny and entertaining but Medusa is evil - she used to turn men into stone and now she loves plastic - shudder. Rhodes alumnus, Kate Pinchuck, is clever and brave for shooting off quick lines, doing the unexpected and wearing the highest heels that are not stilts. SL

Mojak Lehoko and Mo Mothebe: Two Mics Raunchy comedic duo Mo and Mojack hit up the Grahamstown Festival with a vibrant comedy spectacle. JF

Murdered to Death This hilarious murder mystery is set in the English countryside. Interesting guests arrive and someone is murdered. These talented actors present a comedy skit with witty lines and subtle innuendo that will keep you laughing. WK

Nomabotwe This performance is one you do not want to miss, and once you watch it, you will not want it to end. The entire band is on fire, and you get to join in as the rhythm takes you back and calms all nerves. Loved it! SN

Nguvu Ya Mbegu To those who question the future of theatre in SA - this play is your remedy. A young cast holds nothing back as they present a gripping play that exhumes ghosts of 1921's Boelhoek massacre. SN

Once A Woman Musical This story of black women’s participation in The Struggle is told with high energy and beautiful singing voices. LG Continues on P11

The Fringe in 50 reviewers for 2019 are (initials then name): AV Asiphile Vena, GM Gcobisa Mpande, GS Greg Scheibe, HP Helmo Preuss, IM Iviwe Mzandisi, JDK Jackie de Klerk, KB Kamvelihle Buwa , KK Karen Kouari, LG Lisl Griffioen, LK Lee-Anne Knowles, MC Michelle Coupe, MM Mihlali Mbunge, MQ Mziwonke Qwesha, NA Natasha Alison, NM Nicole Mamphey, PB Phoebe Bunyan, RO Ronald Oats, SB Siphosethu Balakisi, SF Shaan Forster, SL Steven Lang, SN Sean Nkosi, SR Sposethu Ralo, TB Thembani Buka, TH Terri Harris, TVO Tanya Van Onselen, VJ Victoria Jackson, WK Wendy King, SH Shannon Hansen , JF Jeanne Fourie, AE Adrienne Ehrich.

THE HERALD SPOTLIGHT

Monday July 1 2019 Continues from P10

of board games. JDK

Pets Are Family

The Adventures of Robert Moffat

A promising play that subtly blurs the lines between man and dog. This is a light-hearted piece of work that you may want to add to your day. SN

Portraits

Portraits’ debut was an absolute mastery of contemporary dance theatre. VJ

Pregnant and Ashamed A well-structured performance that takes us through the journey of a young girl whose dreams were shut down when she found out she was pregnant. SR

Raiders: The Fallen Crown This much loved family show is back with a new adventure "the Fallen Crown". WK

Robbie Collins Live Robbie does not disappoint his audience! With an impressive ability to improvise and speak off the cuff, he kept us shrieking and snorting in agreement throughout his appearance. He is without a doubt one of the best stand up performers fest has to currently offer! NOT PG, 16+ LK

Silkworm A charming comedy with a quirky Mr Bean feel. Clever use of audience interaction and vivid imagery brings the story to life. Charming, funny and an excellent performance. NA

Sounds Like You and Me This workshopped play by director Gcebile Dlamini and her inter-generational cast with ages ranging from 10-year old Mbalehle Ncube to 70-year old Harry Carol from the Tswelopele Frail Care Centre addresses the universal questions: Who am I? and Why am I here? The 17-year-old Amanda Othandwayo in a standout debut performance answers these questions. HP

Spha Enjoyable music about life. Sipha's songs are about things that young people go through, his performance was out of this world. SR

Spot the Fearless Fish Spot the clownfish and his Pisces gang head to the western reef to tackle the gangster plastic bags. Great show for under sixes. LG

Tats is Cancelled This brilliant entertainer had us in stitches as he touched on the very real, sometimes sensitive issues of our lives in 2019 and our tendencies to avoid talking to each other about important matters. TVO

Tells Us More Mo's performance was fast paced, funny and very interactive. Covering a wide range of topics ranging from government hospitals to the playing

Stop press ADDITIONAL SHOWS ● ROCCOCOCKO at Beethoven Room on 2 July 17:00 ● Walls and Pillows Venue: NG Kerk 3 July at 10am, 4 July at 12pm, 5 July at 4:30pm Ticket prices: R40 / R35 / R33

FRINGE UPDATES

A vibrant blend of song and dance that replays Robert Moffatt’ s meeting with Mzilikazi, King of the Ndebele. SN

The Blue Period of Milton van der Spuy Francis Mennigke delivers a captivating performance telling a heartbreaking story of Milton as he comes to terms with the death of Mona Lisa Van de Spuy. NA

The Boy Who Cried Ninja This is a highly enjoyable experience for the whole family. It's a show that will get you dancing along. PB

The Chocolate Chronicles A truly delicious stand-up show. Fun and engaging. A skilled performer, Mo is one of the top guys on the circuit for sure. A thoroughly enjoyable show to delight and entertain any adult audience. LK

The Doctor in Spite of Himself Amanda Bothma directs the Wela Kepala Company through a play about a woodcutter turned doctor who must keep up his charade to cure a wealthy client's daughter of her ailment. The fast-paced comedy makes imaginative use of its props and dramatic irony to whirl the audience into the tale. RO

The Fundamental: Life Goes On A prologue by two characters kick started this story life's troubles and tests. Two estranged sisters are united in an unplanned bus trip, where the passengers, including them each have something to share about their lives. AV

The Gospel According to Jan Coetzee The Gospel of Jan Coetzee, directed by Wessels Pretorius cannot be understated, it is a truly brilliant and fascinating example of South African theatre. VJ

The Grave A story on a journey of a son longing for his father. He does not get answers from his mother, but because he cannot talk to his mother about men stuff, he's caught up with a wrong crowd and ends up behind bars. A beautiful storyline, with the songs as background, the language and lighting made the piece go beyond just the voices. TB

The Issue of Blood A good choice for young girls who enjoy contemporary ballet. The Disney princess-style performance is a conventional Christian coming-ofage narrative. SH

The Last Laugh Bringing the best comedians #NAF2019 has to offer all onto one stage. Each with their own hilarious

● The Pursuit of Hobby-ness: is di-

rected by Avril Cummins and not Ryan Dittman as advertised ● Under the Jacaranda: performances on 1 and 2 July have been cancelled (the rest remain unchanged) ● Raiders: The Fallen Crown: Lulu Read has been replaced by Jessica Leigh-Stanley. ● Battles! Iimfazwe! Transportation to the past: performance on 3 July cancelled.

● 2Dee: is directed by Avril Cum-

FRINGE CANCELLATIONS

mins and not Kirsten Harris as advertised

Barefoot Chronicles, C-4-Cancer, Calluses, Cat As Trophy, Ingenxa

and original acts, had the audience in stitches. KK

The Last Supper This performance was spectacular with characters whose dedication and passion really showed. The show is in isiTswana but the lighting, sounds and their acting of each scene make it easier for the audience to understand what is going on. KB

The Old Man & The Sea Three very busy, top-class actors using three sets on a large, lazy-Susan platform bring life to a vibrant edition of the Hemingway classic. SL

The Pursuit of Hobby-Ness A stellar performance, delivered with great control and discipline. A multi-layered dramatic monologue capturing the poignant moments of the delusional feelings of helplessness resulting from heartbreak. MC

The Rooinek (Note: This is not the show described in the programme) Emotions run deep between Boer Steyn and the Rooinek Webber after the Boer War when they find themselves on neighbouring farms. Joel Leonard and Shannon Leibach take on multiple roles and should be congratulated for this excellent production with a blanket as the only prop. KK

The Sixties A look at the life and times of growing up in a South African township during the 60's. Solid musical performances. JDK

The Thunderbirds Comedy Three women do stand-up that has the audience in paroxysms of laughter and embarrassment. They are extremely funny, sharp and enjoy a good thrust and parry with the audience. SL

The Wrong Off Ramp A startling and powerful play given by actors Kabelo Mpete and Mpho Mzima tell a brutal story of a man’s descent into prison gang-life and his ultimate redemption. This play was beautifully portrayed by actors who gave a visceral and incredibly emotional performance that will grip you to the end. VJ

This is my house, Kukwami la This excellent play is based on two serious subjects, physical abuse and sexual abuse of a minor, as well as the perennial fear of women who do not want to report either of these crimes to the authorities as the perpetrator invariably holds a trump card over them. Most of the dialogue is in isiXhosa. AE

Time of your Life: The ’90s I had high hopes for this show. The narrator tells a touching story of growing up in the ’90s. Leaves you feeling nostalgic. NA

FRINGE IN 50 A solo drama piece about the fragments of life. The setting and the storyline brings the Trash to life that we are surrounded and defined by it. TB

Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor and Carole King With a melody of two, the music chosen brings back to life the favorites of these two song writers in a very decisive enactment of this guitar and piano recital. With crisp clear voices your mind and soul are truly awakened. Enjoy! GS

Trust Me, I'm a Superhero A rather ambitious one-man piece with a myriad of diverse and crazy characters. For an interactively entertaining collection of cameos, meet these unlikely superheros! LK

Tswalo This one-man physical piece captures the attention of the audience from the word go. Do not miss it. MQ.

uFlorence noWatson neMpuku yoMoba A marvellous performance by Florence and Watson (in isiXhosa) where they take us on their village journey of trying to show/teach us that every person/thing has a role to play in our society. KB

Umthombo Have you ever seen the culture of all Africa put in one three-legged pot? This is it. The music, the dance, the choreography and the costumes of Africa are put into motion - they talk, they speak the language of Africa. This is a not to be missed show for those who are proud of the cultures of this continent.MQ

Unfathomable Her set and props are brutally minimalist and particularly unique but Alexandra Halligey creates an almost ethereal and contemplative piece that is absorbing and haunting. She tells her journey of grief and laying her father to rest and trying to connect to a intriguing grandma she never got to meet. Perhaps the performance is not suitable for a younger audience member, however a resonance is created to become an almost magical experience with her ingenious use of props consisting of seemingly incongruous items. For a remarkable and absorbing performance Unfathomable is an absolute must. VJ

Uthakathiwe An uncensored play about the way women are abused and how this shapes their lives and the lives of those around them. According to this cast title Uthakathiwe which means, bewitched, which seems to be the only answer that makes sense, when every woman victim of rape and other abuse asks "why?" or "why me". GM

Trash Hound

Kamama, Just 6, Loyiso Madinga Live, Next!, Senior Citizens, Sisonke “Alive” Kids, So Naive, Touching Myself: An Ode to Audre Lorde, Trust Me, I’m a Superhero

WORDFEST CANCELLATIONS ● A Person My Colour by Martina

Dahlmanns (Book launch) ● Katlego Shoro - SERURUBELE (Poetry reading)

MAIN CANCELLATIONS ● Cancelled workshop: Everyday Disruptions: Collaging and writing with Ja.Magazine on 1 July at 14:00.

● No Easter Sundays for Queers –

this production has been postponed and will premiere later in the year in Johannesburg. ● Book Launch: Coming Home – Poems of the Grahamstown Diaspora

ERRATA Please note: The Fringe productions 2Dee and The Pursuit of Hobbyness were directed by Avril Cummins, not Kirsten Harris and Ryan Dittmann as (respectively) indicated in the printed programme. HeyJanice Productions sincerely apologises for any con-

11.

Veronica's Monster This is a lovely show for young children to enjoy. It uses gorgeous songs, poetry and puppets to animate the story and teach you valuable life lessons. Veronica learns to face her fears and the monster under the bed. Extremely enjoyable for the whole family. PB

What if Jesus was a Tsotsi This engaging two-man act is a fresh look at Christian belief in a township context. With energetic dance and movement, this show is entertaining and funny and thoroughly enjoyable. Understanding of isiXhosa is advisable though to ensure audiences get the full experience. WK

What You Don't See: A Journey of Mind Reading, Mystery & Magic This is an entertaining family show with full on audience participation. Andrew Klazinga’s well thought out trickery keeps you guessing and wondering “how on earth did he know that?” KK

When Coasts Meet This piece follows the story of a mixed-race woman who is part German and part South African- countries which are oceans apart. Her struggles of discovering her identity and roots are highlighted in this one woman show. Fortunately, she finds solace in water- a symbol of her two identities meeting. NM

Winging It! The Turbulent Revelations of Meghan and Shivan A very well written and performed play about the turbulent secrets we keep. It’s about how we are stuck in a strange loop in a small space and how we have to face our dark truths. A light hearted and comedic depiction with excellent use of props. NA

You Should Be Dancing The gorgeous Follow Spot troupe are back and boy, are we lucky! Singing and dancing to a variety of hit songs from various decades, this is a show that will sell out quickly. The humour, dancing and singing will make you want to see it more than once so get your tickets while you can! KK

Your Perfect Life The juxtaposition between the wit of Karleen and the somber attitude of Caitlin create a well-rounded performance filled with the stereotypes and nerves that surface during a dreaded reunion day. TCH Zombie Attack Gaëtan Schmid gives an impressive mime performance to a variation of sound tracks from movies such Fight Club, Apocalypse Now, Harry Potter and so much more. He truly embodies the mental turmoil we all go through before we face public speaking. A real feel good show that we can all relate to. TH

fusion or inconvenience caused Stuart Cairns was listed as the director of Barefoot Chronicles. This information is false – Stuart has informed the Festival Office that he was not involved in any way in this production

MULTICHOICE SUNDOWNERS 30 JUNE EMCEE: Nkosinathi Maki Malope Sounds Like You and Me Clique Claq Young_SinoSA Jeremiah Fyah Ises and the Baakahyaad Khuluma Mngoma

12. STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST FOR MUSIC

Monday July 1 2019

Prins puts his spin on classics Devon Koen koend@tisoblackstar.co.za

Considering the arts to be essential to a thriving society and by allowing artists to tell their stories while connecting with others as a means to emphasise their humanity in a way that audiences can take something away, is what this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Music, Megan-Geoffrey Prins, believes is what the National Arts Festival is all about. “There is nothing as inspiring as experiencing the impact of a powerful performance,” he said. A first time performer at the 45th National Arts Festival, Prins said it was an immense honour and privilege to be recognised for his artistic talent as a soloist and collaborative pianist. “It is very motivating and I’m excited for the collaborations that will come out of this,” Prins said. Originally from Riversdale and now teaching around the Cape Town area, Prins is no stranger to grand performances and has toured around the globe as both a soloist and collaborative artist. At 11, Prins made his concert debut and at 14, had performed with all of South Africa’s major orchestras. Growing up in a household filled with music, Prins’s mother began

MUSIC MAN: Pianist Megan-Geoffrey Prins is at the arts festival for the first time teaching him the basics of reading music and playing the piano which she had inherited. He also plays the organ and harpsichord but mainly considers himself a pianist. “My interests have also developed beyond classical music, which

I think informs my playing,” Prins said. Having received a Bachelor of Music degree from Stellenbosch University, Prins went on to study a Masters in Music and is busy completing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree under Antonio Pompa-Baldi at the Cleveland Institute of Music

where he was awarded the Sadie Zellen Piano Prize, the Arthur Loesser Memorial Prize, and the Maurice and Judith Kaplow Prize for Uncommon Creativity. Praised by German and South African critics for its technical precision, artistic expressivity, and tran-

scendent interpretation after his most recent performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concertos No 2 and 3, Prins said he is hoping to bring something different for audiences to enjoy at the festival. “I hope to portray a snippet of the diversity and vastness of Western Art Music. “Classical music is generally seen as inflexible and outdated and I’m hoping to show that this simply is not true,” Prins said. Prins’s local achievements include first prizes at the Unisa 120th Anniversary Competition, the inaugural Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival Competition, the 5th Unisa National Piano Competition, the 2016 Muziq Instrumental Competition, and the 2017 Samro Overseas Scholarships Competition. He has performed as soloist and collaborative artist in North America, Europe, Africa, and Hong Kong. At this years 45th instalment of the National Arts Festival, Prins will be showcasing a world premiere of a composition that he commissioned for this festival by Stellenbosch-based composer Arthur Feder which will also include Vine’s Sonata, Debussy preludes, and Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1. Prins will be performing Beau Soir with David Bester at the Beethoven Room on July 3 at 12pm.

DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR

GUY BUTLER THEATRE

1 July (18:00) 2 July (12:00 & 18:00) 3 July (10:00)