In July, the Vrystaat Arts Festival (VAF) successfully presented its first mini market on the Bloemfontein campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), with preparations already underway for a larger festival on the same premises from 2 to 8 October.
This festival is an Afrikaans cultural festival, forging creative connections with Sotho and English cultures, as well as national and international creatives. The festival has a huge artistic offering this year, 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 comedic drama about growing old.
This comedy, based on Rudie van Rensburg’s eponymous novel and starring Charlie Bouguenon, promises to be fun for all ages.
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 both 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 theatre-maker 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.
Well-known Bloemfontein theatre-maker, writer and director Nico Luwes brings two productions to the festival this year. Aku vang ’n ster is a suspenseful drama set in the inhospitable Northern Cape. In comparison, Waaihoek se Vinkel en Koljander – ’n musikale klug tells the story of twin brothers Koljander and Vinkel, who are accidentally separated in the Cape as six-year-olds. The production promises top-notch family fun.
In collaboration with the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the festival presents The Paper Double-Bill. Two new South African texts, and thus two new plays, with two actors, one set and one director include Papercuts, exploring themes of love, loneliness, and womanhood – as well as Waiting for Lift-Off, about two sisters trying to connect with each other across oceans.
Various interdisciplinary art projects investigate gender-based violence. The multimedia art installation She had a name pays tribute to and aims to recognise every woman who loses her life to gender-based violence.
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, which are especially prevalent in a South African context.
A highlight on the music programme is Droomland – Solo-klavierkonsert. Audience members can experience their favourite childhood memories, remade with piano interpretations and Afrikaans storytelling. This contemporary musical offers family entertainment for all ages.
- A performance by Dan Patlansky is set to entertain South African audiences with an electric full orchestra. For more details about the festival programme, visit the website at vrystaatkunstefees.co.za. Tickets are already available for purchase at webtickets.co.za.
