The Free State is abuzz with excitement about the full Vrystaat Arts Festival, taking place from 2 to 8 October.
A smaller version of the festival took place in July at the University of the Free State (UFS), but this time the focus is on a wide variety of productions.
During this Afrikaans cultural festival, creative connections with Sotho and English cultures are forged, as well as with national and international creatives.
This year’s festival has a huge artistic offering, from flagship theatre dance and music productions in Afrikaans, English and Sotho to literature, arts and crafts, as well as sound, visual and experimental art.
Hans steek die Rubicon oor offers theatre-lovers a superb comedy drama about growing old. It is based on Rudie van Rensburg’s eponymous novel and stars Charlie Bouguenon.
Elzabé Zietsman plays a key role in the psychological thriller Tom gaan plaas toe, a drama that investigates a family’s dysfunctional relationships and a legacy of lies and traumas.
Hans steek die Rubicon oor and Tom gaan plaas toe are supported by the National Afrikaans Theatre initiative (NATi).
And still the rain kept falling softly . . . received financial support from the Flemish Government in Southern Africa. The play was written by the Flemish writer, actor and theatremaker Peter de Graef, and will be directed by Stef de Paepe, Flemish dramatist and screenwriter. Gerben Kamper and Peter Taljaard were responsible for translating the text, and the cast consists of John Paka and Boitumelo Mohutsioa.
Bloemfontein theatremaker, writer and director Nico Luwes brings two productions to the festival. Aku vang ’n ster is a suspenseful drama set in the inhospitable Northern Cape. In comparison, Waaihoek se Vinkel en Koljander tells the story of twin brothers Koljander and Vinkel, who are accidentally separated in the Cape as six-year-olds.
In collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the festival presents The Paper Double-Bill. These two new plays, with two actors, one set and one director, include Papercuts – which explores themes of love, loneliness, and womanhood, as well as Waiting for Lift-Off, a story about two sisters trying to connect with each other across oceans.
Till Death do Us Part involves multimedia performance art and examines intimate relationship violence, whereas Yekabani le Panty (Whose Panty is it) is a site-specific performance artwork, which investigates the patriarchal structures imposed on women, especially prevalent in a South African context.
A highlight on the music programme is the Droomland solo piano concert by DuPreez Strauss. The audience can experience their favourite childhood memories, remade with piano interpretations and Afrikaans storytelling.
Dan Patlansky is set to entertain audiences with an electric full orchestra.
For more visit vrystaatkunstefees.co.za. Tickets are now available on webtickets.co.za.
