Many of the works on this year’s MAIN THEATRE programme at #NAF18 cross and blur genres, and make interesting use of non-traditional theatrical spaces.

• WATCH: ‘An incredible reflection of the work that is happening out there’ – Artistic Committee Member LARA BYE

Theatre productions you can look forward to seeing at the National Arts Festival include:

JUNGFRAU, the latest directorial work from 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre Jade Bowers. Based on the novel by Caine Prize-winning South African writer Mary Watson, the book has been adapted for the stage by Ameera Patel, who also takes a lead role. EARLY BOOKINGS OPEN

University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture’s staging of Reza de Wet’s iconic AFRICAN GOTHIC (translation of Diepegrond) is the culmination of a process that has involved more than 300 students and staff. Directed by Alby Michaels.

Phillip Rademeyer directs MONSIEUR IBRAHIM EN DIE BLOMME VAN DIE KORAN. Dawid Minnaar plays a Turkish Muslim living in Paris who takes a Jewish boy under his wing.

Canadian Alon Nashman returns to Grahamstown with ALPHONSE, an enchanting coming of age story. Another Family Fare show on the Main programme is THE LITTLE PRINCE, directed by Mwenya Kabwe and Clara Louise Vaughan. EARLY BOOKINGS OPEN

Comedy fans will be thrilled with the special return of THE MOST AMAZING SHOW, featuring the goofy Corne and Twakkie characters played by Louw Venter and Rob Van Vuuren.

Enjoying their Main programme debut at the Festival this year are Klara van Wyk, Buhle Ngaba and Penelope Youngleson, who will present the fresh and innovative LA CHAIR DE MA CHAIR (Flesh of My Flesh), which observes two South African clowns…in limbo.

From Cape Town comes Mhlanguli George’s THEATRE IN THE BACKYARD with a double bill of IS HE MAD? and WAIT…LINDA. George’s signature theatre concept closes the gap between mainstream and community theatre.

Swiss author and director Boris Nikitin rewrites HAMLET into a mix of experimental documentary play and music theatre. The enigmatic performer and electronic musician Julia*n Meding takes the part of a contemporary Hamlet who revolts against reality. EARLY BOOKINGS OPEN

STAGED, University of Johannesburg Arts & Culture’s theatre development platform, will showcase new plays and talent with Wynne Bredenkamp’s AT THE EDGE OF THE LIGHT (South Africa), Joakim Daun’s THE INCIDENT (Sweden/Zimbabwe/South Africa), Greg MacArthur’s A CITY (Canada/South Africa), and TRACKS by Maude Sandham and Nicola Pilkington.

***NOTE: Early Booking for some productions is already open, while the full programme opens nationwide on 7 May.

? JUNGFRAU Tracey-lee Oliver, Carla Classen, Ameera Patel, Jaques De Silva, Yogin Sullaphen | Written by: Mary Watson | Directed and Designed by: Jade Bowers | Adapted for stage by: Ameera Patel | Music by: Yogin Sullaphen [/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]