SIX HOT TIPS ON DIARY FOR TODAY:

NOT sure what to see? Try one – or more – of The Herald review team’s six hot tips on the festival diary today.

1

TARTUFFE, directed by Sylvaine Strike, at the Victoria Theatre today at noon and 6pm (Theatre).

As relevant today as when it was written more than 300 years ago, Tartuffe is the most famous play by France’s “Shakespeare”, Molière.

Craig Morris plays Tartuffe, the scheming character who pours words of honey into gullible ears.

This brilliant comic tale of human nature, false piety and greed resonates across time and director Strike always brings a fresh twist to her productions.

2

DADA MASILO’S GISELLE, choreographed by Dada Masilo, at the Rhodes Theatre at 2pm and 8pm (Dance).

This is Masilo’s fourth reinterpretation of a great classic to make its South African debut at the National Arts Festival, and just as Romeo and Juliet, Carmen and Swan Lake drew full houses, so too is Giselle likely to.

The (traditional) ballet is about a peasant girl, Giselle, who dies of a broken heart after discovering her lover is betrothed to another.

However, expect a passionate African reworking of the tragic tale.

3

THE SOIL, at the Guy Butler Theatre at 7pm (Jazz).

The much-loved trio of Buhle Mda, Luphindo Ngxanga and Ntsika Ngxanga will bring their blend of “kasi soul” to the stage tonight and again tomorrow at the Monument.

The Soil is an award-winning and double platinum-selling a cappella group, whose music is a blend of contemporary township style and urban contemporary, fusing beat box and soul. 4 WE DIDN’T COME TO HELL FOR THE CROISSANTS, with Jemma Kahn and Roberto Pombo, at Princess Alice Hall nightly at 10pm (Fringe theatre).

If you missed Jemma Kahn and Roberto Pombo in either The Epicene Butcher or We Didn’t Come to Hell for the Croissants in past years, here’s a chance to catch up on their dark humour. The Seven Deadly Sins are brought to life through Japanese paper theatre art. 5 THE KIFFNESS & MATTHEW GOLD, at DSG Hall at 5pm (Jazz).

Cape Town duo David Scott (production, keyboard, trumpet) and Raiven Hansmann (saxophone, keyboard, synths) packed out the DSG Hall last year, so the jazz festival organisers invited them back this year with a guest – vocalist Matthew Gold.

The Kiffness is one of South Africa’s favourite live electronic acts, with their jazzy, groovy house music and uninhibited dancing and live instrumentation. 6 PENDO MASOTE – YOUNG VIOLINIST, at the Beethoven Room at 4pm (Music).

He may only be 13, but Gauteng violinist Pendo Masote is a talent to watch. The son of cellist Kutlwano Masote, and grandson of celebrated classical conductor Michael Masote, Pendo is making his festival debut.

His repertoire in this concert includes violin staples by Paganini, Vitali, Vivaldi and Kreisler. He is also at the Graham Hotel tomorrow with a lighter programme of hits by Adele, John Legend, Clean Bandit and Michael Jackson.