1976’s festival was officially called the Shakespeare Festival. As the name suggests, the programme was focused on fostering an appreciation and enjoyment of Shakespearean drama, and included performances and films of an incredible variety of his works, from Richard III, Macbeth and Othello to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet and Love’s Labours Lost. 

But it wasn’t just the classics on offer. Dawn Lindberg returned to our stages with The Shrew – a reimagining of The Taming of the Shrew, written by Charles Marowitz. Two plays authored by Pieter Dirk-Uys – already a formidable talent, though not yet a household name – ran at the Rhodes Theatre, and Richard Rive’s award-winning Make Like Slaves provided audiences with something provocative and challenging. Barney Simon and Alan Swerdlow made their first appearance at the National Arts Festival in this year, and would both go on to become Festival regulars. 

In addition to the more serious work on offer, audiences could get dressed up for the Shakespeare Festival Ball, attend an Archery Exhibition in the Rhodes University Grounds, or participate in the Window Display Competition, for which the winner received a portable radio!