Potchefstroom's annual art festival Aardklop (earth beat) has adopted the motto that it brings people closer to the arts. Indeed, it's an opportunity for theatre-lovers to experience new works that might not make it to commercial theatres.
Here are a few appetisers from the festival which begins on September 27:
A highlight for English-speakers is Paul Slabolepszy's new play Art of Charf, in which married couple Wilson Dunster and Elize Cawood are directed by Bobby Heaney. It's about an agony aunt who is just about to pull the plug on her computer dating service when a crotchety but wealthy retired plumber turns up.
Diphosophoso is Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors translated into Setswana by Sol Plaatje and directed by Atteridgeville's Josias Dos Moleele.
An Afrikaans festival without genial director Marthinus Basson is unthinkable. This time he tackles Shakespeare homage Romeo en Julia (Studie van 'n Verdrinkende Liggaam) by Belgium playwright Peter Verhelst.
The cast, led by Antoinette Kellermann, Jana Cilliers and Dawid Minnaar, is as exciting as the text and the direction.
Anthony Wilson of Pretoria writes/directs and plays in Skurke with his regular Eersterust cast including Fatima Abdool and Desmond Evans.
First-time playwright Karen van der Vyfer - daughter of acclaimed playwright Braam van der Vyfer - draws on her experience as a psychologist working in an asylum in her work, Pols.
Marthinus Basson was her mentor, with one of the Cape wiz kids Christine Truter directing a cast including Henrietta Gryffenberg, Jolette Odendaal and Ilse Schmidt.
Another Truter production announces the return of playwright Charles Fourie who has come back strongly this year with Kurtz starring Gavin van den Berg as General John Milton Coetzee, a former soldier who believes he is Kurtz from the Joseph Conrad novel Heart of Darkness.
Vrededorp is Fourie's second contribution and received the Nagtegaal award for the best drama text at the Klein Karoo Festival.
Set in 1994, it tells the story of a young writer who is struggling with his personal circumstances just before the changes in the country are about to happen.
Grahamstown's Reza de Wet makes a welcome return with Verleiding that is written as an interview between the playwright De Wet and two women who want to discover more about the poet Eugene Marais.
Reza is the great-grandchild of Marais's brother Charles. As always, it is a fascinating piece with two other De Wet regulars contributing: Antoinette Kellerman as actress and Marthinus Basson as director.
The musical highlight this year is Baaba Maal, one of Africa's finest artists. Festival-goers will relish his high energy and amazing costumes.
Another delight is The World in a Guitar - The Journey Continues. A homily to South African guitarists, it is anchored by the Aquarian Quartet and features the brilliant duo Tony Cox and Steve Newman.
Attempts at a TV programme did not work, but now the three famous stoep buddies Boet (Ian Roberts), Swaer (Norman Anstey) and Mogae (Fats Bookholane) have found the golden key - music.
Boeremusiek, nogal!
But with a sophisticated twist and good writing with talents like Rian Malan on board, Die Vloek van die Strandjutwolf is a mix of magic and mayhem.
Classical guitarist John Crossley presents a one-off show, Jonathan Crossley: My Friends and I, in which he promotes his latest CD.
In true Amanda Strydom style, she's always out there experimenting and pushing the boundaries. In Misa Criolla en Navidad Nuestra, she stars in this Argentinian production by composer Ariel Ramirez.
Of course, there's much more on offer at this year's festival including fantastic dance, fine art and books, huge pop shows, lectures and fine fine food that covers the full spectrum.
Check it out. It's close enough to drive for a day or a weekend.
AARDKLOP
September 28 to October 1
Potchefstroom
National arts festival now in its 8th year.
For full programme, as well as maps and accommodation info, go to www.aardklop.co.za