Unsolicited and un-curated, the 2018 National Arts Festival Fringe is yet again a vivid gathering of fierce, fearless, funny, charming, daring, warm and imaginative works. With shows costing from as little as R20 to around R100 per ticket, it’s quite possible for Festival-goers to see more than one show a day. Here’s a sample:
Theatre
- Mike van Graan’sLAND ACTS, starring Daniel Mpilo Richards.
- Van Graan’splay GREEN MAN FLASHING
- WHEN SWALLOWS CRY, directed by Lesedi Job.
- Former Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre (2016) Jade Bowers, presents BLACK, starring Ameera Patel.
- Bower’s new work JUNGFRAUdebuts on the Main Programme this year.
Dance
- Flatfoot Dance Company’s DOWN TO THE MARROW
- The National School of the Arts’ production DANCE SPECTRUM
- The Cape Academy of Performing Art (CAPA)in
- RHYTHM OF MAKHANDAis Via Kasi Movers Theatre Company’s loose adaptation of the book The Return to Makhanda..
Comedy
- Trevor Noah’s special correspondent in SA, Loyiso Madinga, will have a solo show.
- Tats Nkonzo brings back Standard Bank Ovation winner (2017) PRIVILEGED and Aaron McIlroy is in a new show ADHD.
- Followspotbrings a crop of entertaining works such as ALCHEMY OF ROCKand CALIENTE as well as the final instalment of the BIG BOYS series.
Physical Theatre
- DIKAPAby Generation of Stars was a Standard Bank Ovation Award winner in 2017 and also featured at the Market Theatre’s Zwakala Festival.
- Market Theatre Laboratory’ssecond year students’ production 21 WANDAH! The play takes the form of a game show with 21 lucky contestants.
Illusion
- Brendan Peel, Greg Gelb, Stuart Lightbodyand Andrew Klazinga will all have a few new tricks.
Music
- The Albany Club will host PITCH AND PLAY, where musicians are invited to promote or jam on the open mic sessions while the audience enjoys a relaxed atmosphere and pub food.
Children’s Theatre
- THE GRUFFALO; the world of Roald Dahlas a young boy with TAKING FLIGHT; and Rob van Vuuren and Dani Bischoff’s new children’s show FLORENCE AND WATSON AND THE GREAT PANGOLIN MYSTERY.
Standard Bank Ovation Awards
- Throughout the Fringe Festival, members of the Standard Bank Ovation Awards panel anonymously review shows for award nominations, that are announced throughout the Festival with winners are announced at the end. Standard Bank Ovation Award winners are considered for the Arena programme for future National Arts Festivals and are also noted by theatres across the country.
For a look at the complete National Arts Festival Fringe Festival programme, visit here, to search and book for shows see https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
