Eastern Cape living put in the mix for arts festival

IF YOU have the Eastern Cape at heart but are elsewhere, the production of Mix Tape at this year’s National Arts Festival will bring you back home.

In its second year at the arts festival (NAF), Mix Tape has received some great reviews and this year the team returns bigger and better.

A three-man musical comedy set between East London and Cathcart, the show tells the story of three best friends – “Katie” played by Kristy Suttner; “Vix” played by Vanessa Frost and “Marvin” played by Mortimer Williams – and follows their journey of mix tapes, embarrassing hairstyles, young love, angst and jealousy.

The show takes you back to the ’90s with a familiar soundtrack, loads of laughs and familiar Eastern Cape anecdotes.

“I am originally from East London, currently living in Johannesburg and I’ve found that there are many Eastern Capers living here. This production is a great way for us to gravitate towards one another,” said Suttner.

“The Eastern Cape produces good stock and you’ll find that it’s from here that you learn old fashioned values, music and have the defining moments of your life. That is what we want to reflect in this production.”

Suttner said that the production took about three months to come to life. There was no particular budget and each member has a day job.

The Mix Tape crew was fortunate when company Juicetel offered to sponsor their accommodation at this year’s festival.

“We did the show in Johannesburg a while ago and Angus McCloed, one of the owners of the company was in the audience. He loved the show so much that he offered to sponsor our accommodation,” added Suttner.

“Last year we made the mistake of running only five shows but then we realised there was a big demand for the show, so this year we are bigger, have added some musical numbers and are ready for great things.”

Suttner added that Mix Tape would appeal to the whole family from ages five to 75 and would have audiences smiling, laughing, crying but definitely having a good time.

“I think this production pays tribute to how great the Eastern Cape is,” she said. “It is a place where relationships are born, where lasting friendships are made.

“Families are created and all the influences of the Eastern Cape, no matter where you go, last forever.

“The production really is about the Eastern Cape, about family values, something that the likes of Johannesburg and Cape Town does not have to offer – a true Eastern Cape feeling.”

Catch Mix Tape at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown from tomorrow until July 6. —