News Archives - National Arts Festival

Photo: Jan Potgieter, Stagefocus

…and that’s a wrap on #NAF18

Published on July 11, 2018

NAF Executive Producer ASHRAF JOHAARDIEN reflects on his experience of the unruly, fabulous celebration of the arts that is the National Arts Festival All the world is a stage And everyone has their part But how was I to know which way the story’d go How was I to know you’d break You’d break my… Read More

Mamela Nyamza in De-Apart-Hate at Jomba 2017 / Photo: Val Adamson

‘An artist’s duty is to reflect the times’

Published on January 30, 2018

Dancer and choreographer Mamela Nyamza is this year’s National Arts Festival Featured Artist, an annual recognition that celebrates and showcases artists who contribute to South Africa’s national discourse on race, class or gender in a significant way. This is the first time a dancer and choreographer has been recognised in this way. Read more: Mamela Nyamza… Read More

‘Born in the RSA’ to be restaged 20 years after Barney Simon’s death

Published on May 27, 2015

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][FESTIVAL NEWS] To mark the 20th anniversary of legendary South African theatre-maker Barney Simon’s passing, the Baxter Theatre Centre is restaging his riveting docudrama ‘Born in the RSA’ in Grahamstown this year

The cast of JUNGFRAU

‘Challenging works that speak to the times’

Published on May 2, 2018

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… Read More

‘Come book a show, and sit front row…’

Published on June 21, 2016

Let’s do this in numbers: Dylan Hitchens and Simon van Wyk, the TWO musicians that make up musical stand-up act The Brothers Streep, mark their return to the 42nd National Arts Festival for the FIFTH time with THREE shows by writing a song about 76 shows on the programme this year! We love this witty take on a… Read More

Amy Louise Wilson, winner of the 2020 Distell National Playwright Competition

‘Intriguing, hopeful’ script wins 2020 Distell competition

Published on February 4, 2020

Amy Louise Wilson was announced as the winner of the 2020 Distell National Playwright Competition at an awards ceremony in Stellenbosch on Friday 31 January. The competition aims to discover and foster new South African voices while also promoting diversity and social cohesion. It was founded in honour of Adam and Rosalie Small, whose work… Read More

Rob van Vuuren in AGAIN! / Photo: Jan Potgieter

‘It’s the audiences that keep me going’

Published on June 1, 2019

A true child of the Festival, Rob van Vuuren is celebrating 25 years at NAF this year with more than 20 performances in 11 amazing days. We asked this high-energy performer how it all began, what keeps him coming back – and what’s going to happen next… You’re an incredibly versatile performer – from rolling-in-the… Read More

‘South Africa’s artists can liberate us from fear’

Published on October 30, 2015

Here is the address given by National Arts Festival Creative Director Ismail Mahomed at the announcement of the winners of the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Award in Johannesburg on Wednesday night. TONIGHT, we honour another group of Standard Bank Young Artists. Their names will be added to the prestigious honours list which already includes… Read More

Koleka Putuma, winner of the 2019 Distell National Playwright Competition

‘This story is important to me’ – Distell winner Putuma

Published on March 7, 2019

Writer and performance poet Koleka Putuma is the winner of this year’s Distell National Playwright Competition, aimed at discovering emerging South African talent and fostering new South African voices. Putuma was announced as the winner at an awards function in Cape Town on Wednesday 6 March. She wins R25 000 in prize money — as… Read More

Monica Newton / Photo: Robyn Davie

‘We’re aiming to deliver the best possible Festival’

Published on March 2, 2020

Monica Newton, the new CEO of the National Arts Festival, has hit the ground running since moving to Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) in December. We asked her some questions about how she’s finding things – and what’s she planning for the year ahead… After having lived in Johannesburg for a long time, how are you finding… Read More