An amazing array of theatre from across SA and further afield, has been selected for the 20th Witness Hilton Arts Festival. Here’s a glimpse at some of what’s on offer:
• A notable highlight will be a brand new KickstArt production: the SA premiere of a sexy new play by theatrical mastermind, David Ives, Venus in Fur. The acclaimed Broadway play is already a major talking point and looks set to be a big highlight of the festival. Directed by multi-award-winning Steven Stead, designed by Greg King and features Janna Ramos-Violante and Neil Coppen.
• Delirium is a playful and pertinent allegory for the ethnic and nationalist divisions we see across the world. The action is set against the backdrop of invented lands at war where an elderly couple, played by the formidable David Dennis and Fiona Ramsay, hang on to a series of delusions as a means to survive against the insanity of borders that have been created by state and family.
• Miskien is performed mostly in English with some Afrikaans. It is a simple story of two best friends who are stuck in similar dead-end jobs and non-descript lives. It is a controversial, intimate and acclaimed play that received five-star reviews at the Amsterdam Fringe last year and full houses in Perth at Fringe World this year.
• Mike van Graan has written two productions that play at the Hilton this year; Just Business reflects on the Lolly Jackson/Teazers/Brett Kebble saga. A scathing, provocative satire on the economic practices and associated morality of the “New South Africa”, with plenty of black humour and rapid-fire dialogue. Brothers in Blood is a drama about prejudice set within the volatile context of Muslim, Jewish and Christian relations in Cape Town, but at the same time a touching human story of love.
• Another Durban production not to be missed is Callum’s Will. A beautiful, intimate story takes the audience on an almost filmic experience as the unlikely relationship between two men evolves from an awkward first encounter to a deep and lasting friendship that neither expects or understands. Written by Janna Ramos-Violante and inspired by the accident that befell Darren King a few years earlier. The piece is performed by Darren King and Clinton Small.
• source: www.hilton festival.co.za