Tickets go on sale for the entertaining Arts Festival
THOSE planning to attend the annual National Arts Festival can start booking tickets for some of the shows ahead of the release of the full programme which goes on sale early next month.
This year the festival will take place from June 28 to July 8.
Tickets currently on sale include Phuma-Langa, the work of this year’s featured artist, Mamela Nyamza, who is expected to present more than one work during the festival. This is the first time that a dancer and choreographer has been made a featured artist of the show.
Other performances that have opened for booking include Canadian performer Alon Nashman’s Alphonse. Nashman’s multiple appearances over the years have earned him a strong following among festival regulars; and acclaimed director Jade Bowers’ interpretation of a Caine Prizewinning text Mary Watson's
Jungfrau from Watson’s collection called Moss.
Early bookings have also opened for the festival gala concert which features this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Music, Guy Buttery, as well as popular South African pianist Charl du Plessis; as well as ‘the ballet’ – which this year is Cape Town City Ballet dancers performing Romeo & Juliet, with the help of Sergei Prokofiev’s score and choreographed by Robin van Wyk.
NAF CEO Tony Lankester said they would be using this month to turn the spotlight on some of the productions that demonstrate the breadth and depth of this year’s festival offering.
“In the mix will be some festival favourites together with some of the new, innovative work we’re presenting this year, as well as one or two surprises,” he said.
“By going on sale with these shows early we’re giving those who have already made the decision to come to Grahamstown the chance to lock some highlights into their schedule; and we’re giving those who haven’t yet made their minds up even more reason to join us,” he said.
Choreographed and directed by Nyamza, the provocative PhumaLanga is presented by The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative.
Performed by Nicholas Aphane, Shawn Mothupi, Lorin Sookool, Thulani ‘Latish’ Mgidi, Nomfundo Hlongwa, Francesca Matthys, and with costume design by Sasha Ehlers and lighting designed by Thabo Pule, this production was funded by the National Lotteries Commission.
To book your early bird tickets, go to www.nationalartsfestival.co.za. The full programme will be available online from May 7. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za