Family theatre this weekend

TAhe Assitej Family Fare has returned to the National Arts Festival for the 5th consecutive year, to bring to the festival unique, quality theatre for youth and young audiences and a number of their productions are still on during the rest of Festival.

Since its inception, Assitej Family Fare has provided an exceptional platform dedicated entirely to the needs of families experiencing the festival together. The venues provide theatre which caters to the whole family, while Oatlands Prep, where the Assitej Family Fare Platform has its base, specifically provides interactive, creative and stimulating Family Fare activities run by artists and Assitej staff.

Assitej has built relationships within the Grahamstown family community, with local families returning each year. Denese Palm, a local mom and entrepreneur, has for the last four years provided wholesome and nutritious catering for audiences visiting the Oatlands venue.

The Family Fare Platform continues to gain recognition within the framework of the National Arts Festival.

Of the handful of prestigious Silver Ovation Awards issued at National Arts Festival since 2012, the programme has already been awarded two: the first for Jori Snell’s critically acclaimed Kitchen Fables in a Cookie Jar in 2012 and the second to international Assitej theatre company, Batida from Denmark, whose production Man Called Rolex heralded in a new category of award for Family Fare in 2014.

Many other productions on the platform have been awarded Ovation awards in recognition of their quality including, Incredible Journey, which has returned this year.

Ticket prices range from as little as R50 up to R61 per per- son. Some productions will have a half price special during their run at Festival, please visit https://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/events/ for more information and prices.

The calibre of artists showcased at the Assitej Family Fare Platform demonstrate experience, artistry and seriousness in the craft of making work for young audiences. Many of them have been specially developed or mentored through Assitej South Africa.

The Assitej Family Fare Platform is a collection of works, which promise to provide memorable family outings or exciting first exposures to theatre for young audiences.

For more information and block bookings contact: 046 603 1186/1163 or email boxoffice@nationalartsfestival. co.za enquiries may also be directed to

You can still see the following productions:

Florence and Watson and the Sugarbush Mouse (4+)

Directed by Rob van Vuuren and Danielle Bischoff Written By Danielle Bischoff and Rob van Vuuren Featured Artists: Rob van Vuuren and Danielle Bischoff Company: ExploSIV Productions

Join husband and wife team Rob van Vuuren and Danielle Bischoff as Florence and Watson, the funniest, all-singing, all-dancing, all-storytelling Honey Badgers you’ve ever met as they bring to life, the remarkable tale of a brave and resourceful little mouse who discovers a unique talent that allows her to save the proteas on the beautiful mountain that she calls home.

8, 9 July. All at 10am. Memory Hall.

Fantastical Flea Circus (2-12)

Presented by Copydog Productions Directed by Clinton Marius Featuring Shona Johnson and Rowin Munsamy

Hailed as “Wonder-flea entertaining” (Latoya Newman, Daily News) and “BIG fun from tiny stars” (Billy Suter, Mercury), this multi-award-winning mix of song, dance, rhyming verse and clever tricks stars comedic performers Shona Johnson as renowned opera singer, Duchess De Nunu, and Verne Rowin Munsamy as a bumbling professor of Fleaology.

8 July 4pm. Memory Hall.

Rat Race (4-6)

Presented by Well Worn Theatre Company Directed by Kyla Davis Featuring Ameera Patel and Roberto Pombo

A play for 4 to 6 year olds is an animated pop up storybook show that follows the unlikely friendship between a stressed-out city rat and a kind, easy going farm mouse. Miles the rat is a big cheese in the big city, but when his hectic lifestyle starts to make him ill he is ordered to go on a holiday to the countryside and rest. There he meets Melissa a simple living earth mouse who loves the peace and tranquillity of her farm life. Miles and Melissa get off on a bad start when their worlds collide and they discover that they have very different daily routines.

8, 9 July at 9am. Oatlands Hall.

How Stories Began (4+)

Presented by Jungle Theatre, Directed by Seiso Qhola Featuring: Vincent Meyburgh and Ntombifuthi Mkhasibe

This African folktale is set in ancient times on the Wild coast in a Zulu village. The story starts in a time before people had any stories to tell. Zenzele, a sculpture, and his wife, Manzandaba, have many children but no stories to tell them. Manzandaba decides to go on a journey to find stories leaving Zenzele to look after the home and the children. Manzandaba goes on an adventure meeting various fantastical and comical animals. She is lead to magical creatures under the ocean. The story comes to life in English and isiXhosa with original songs and innovative masks.

8, 9 July at 4pm. Oatlands Hall.

The Light House (5-9)

Presented by Alt Eye Productions Directed by Maude Sandham Featuring Jaques De Silva and Joe Young

Gordon lives in a light house. He watches the sea every day for ships … and for his friend Samuel the Sailor. AntieLachmi and Bra Thabo say Samuel is never coming back, but Gordon won’t give up hope. Surely Samuel will come back for his birthday?

A tale of friendship and love performed by two physical theatre performers. A story of waiting, patience and boredom brought to life through multiple characters, a multifaceted moving set, shadow puppetry and more.

9 July, 4pm. 10 July, 10am. Memory Hall.

LangaYanta Monster Hunter (8+)

Presented by UBOM! Directed by Kyla Davis Featuring Anele Heshu, Elethu Heshu, Sisonke Yafele and Nox Donyeli

“You sacred of Monsters? Don’t call your mamas, call the guy in the cool pyjamas!” Ubom! lights up the stage in this thrilling tale of creepy monsters and cuddly toys. Monster Hunter is the story of one brave youngster’s quest to defeat the nameless fears that many children suffer. 10 July at 10am. Oatlands Hall.

Warrior Green (9-12)

Written and Directed by Wynne Bredenkamp Featuring Emma Kotze

Award-winning writer-director, Wynne Bredenkamp, brings a new thrilling story where secrets, betrayal and hope collide in the futuristic adventure of two friends who dream of finding the mythical Green. One will follow the Settlement’s rules, the other will break the greatest one: No One Will Hide The Green! Adult friendly.

8 July at 12pm. Memory Hall.

The Incredible Journey (10+)

Presented by Kalk Bay Theatre Productions Directed by Stefan Erasmus Featuring Stefan Erasmus, Emma Kotze& Callum Tilbury

“Awesome... storytelling, exceptionally performed” Once upon a time, a boy named Tommy who lived an unadventurous life was presented with a challenge from the new kid at school who likes to be the boss and will use whatever means he can be to get there. Tommy turns to the only place he can think of where he might get help – the library and he is swept up in an adventure of the imagination and magic which teaches him valuable life lessons. Come and see Tommy’s journey to becoming a hero.

8, 9 July at 2pm. Oatlands Hall.

The Cloud Catcher (6-12)

Presented by OddBody Theatre Written and Directed by Richard Antrobus Featuring Asiphe Lili

Now, BuhleLifu was no ordinary child. She was shy and timid but adventurous and wild. She was strange look- ing, unpopular but also quite smart, despite failing science, maths, history and art. But Buhle was a thinker, a tinker with a brain, who would soon save the day and bring back the rain. Best suited for audiences aged 6 to 12 (and their parents).

8, 9 July at 2pm. Memory Hall.

Butterfly Dreams (8+)

Presented by Jungle Theatre, Directed by Vincent Meyburgh and Assisted by Richard Antrobus Featuring Cebisa Fubesi, Siyawandisa Badi, Joce Engelbrecht, Athenkosi Dyantyi, Ntombifuthi Mkhasibe, Seiso Qhola, Vincent Meyburgh

Dancing on stilts with powerful drumming and spectacular costumes Butterfly Dreams is a surreal and larger than life celebration of a girl experiencing the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. Hiding in a tree house she dreams, as the sounds of her garden turn into music, of two giant butterflies dancing. The male catches the female’s eggs and hangs them on a leaf where they hatch and grow into giant caterpillars. Can she challenge the predator and protect the miracle of life for her own big transformation?

8, 9 July at 3pm. Memory Hall.

Pushmi Pulyu (2-6)

Writer and director, Bulelani Mabulyana Featuring Thulisa Mayalo and Sisipho Mbopa.

Explores the concept of push me, pull you - but when something doesn't work, we have to find others ways.

A beautiful show that is full of smiles and discovery for small people.

8, 9 July at 11am. Oatlands Hall.