A super-abundance of world-class performers and a record number of premières are striking features of the Main Programme for the National Arts Festival (Grahamstown 26 June to 5 July 2008), announced this week.

“A gathering of all these incredible artists all in one place, at one time, for ten days,” said Festival Director Lynette Marais, “makes you aware of the richness of the talent in South Africa.

“You saw it first at the Festival” is a slogan that has never been more apt than this year: every single one of the productions on the theatre programme is a South African première and there are seven world premières.

The music programme features several major events that will probably never be repeated again with the same casts.

Here are some of the highlights:

In music this year’s festival includes An African Celebration directed by Janice Honeyman, For Letta – Sound of a Rainbow celebrating the life of Letta Mbulu, and The Songs of Madosini with the Amici String Quartret.

It’s open season in the great annual jazz jamboree. The programme includes a multi-nation play-off that could lift the roof. A number of top Eastern Cape jazz musicians will also feature.

Don’t miss live performances of multi-skilled Jaco Bouwer in collaboration with writer Saartjie Botha in an innovative piece Untitled as well as the plucky pre-teen heroine of I, Claudia (played by Susan Danford) reflecting on the dilemmas of life in the space between child and woman promising to be blissfully funny.

On the dance scene the ever popular ballet for 2008 is the deliciously Spanish-flavoured Don Quixote.

Literary works informs two contemporary dance productions: Romeo and Juliet by Dada Masilo (Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner for Dance 2008) and Ozymandias, a collaboration between the Rhodes University-based First Physical Theatre Company and the John/Allen Project from Tulane University, New Orleans.

Various exhibitions will be taking place including photography, art, sculptures, textile and much more.

In film expect a three part programme dedicated to SA producer Darrel James Roodt, German filmmaker Wim Wenders and a third to the most complex of comics, Woody Allen.

Not only does the festival aim to entertain, but they also want to inform, provoke debate, stimulate curiosity and keep a finger on the national pulse.

There will be a winter school where a broad range of topics are covered in lecture series, panel discussions and seminars.

The Fringe festival features a full menu of exhibitions and performances across all disciplines and genres.

If you feel you can’t go to the festival because you have children, never fear! The Children’s Art Festival offers youngsters between the ages of 4 and 13 a stimulating creative arts experience in a safe environment.

Further details are available in the free Festival Booking Kit, which will be available from selected Standard Bank branches and Computicket outlets nationwide from April 30.

Booking opens on Monday 5 May.

National Arts Festival

Date: 26 June – 5 July 2008
Location: Grahamstown
Tickets: Available from Computicket

For more information on the festival, visit their website and subscribe to our free and popular Editor’s Picks Newsletter and we’ll keep you informed on all the festival highlights and changes.

If you want to stay in or near Grahamstown during the festival, go to our online Bed and Breakfast Bookings Engine to check for and book available accommodation online.