There are times, often late at night or in the wee hours of the morning, and often at The Long Table, when Grahamstown feels like a massive love-fest. You look around and everyone is laughing, smiling, deep in conversation. Performers, directors and designers are congratulating each other on their shows and also giving insightful, constructive advice. This little world becomes a stage upon which we all strut our stuff, our hearts full of meaning, beating upon our sleeves. But, as always, the converse exists. Fest is also hard and demanding. And I’m not just talking about the hangovers. For ten, now 15, days, we stretch ourselves to the limit. Theatre makers and audience alike. We live together in a rarefied atmosphere, transported ...

How do you write this? You have to be clever... Pause Nothing to be done. Related posts:The Beckett Trilogy Fest Forward’s 2nd podcast Fest Forward’s 1st day of Fest 2010 podcast

The heady mix of anticipation, apprehension and excitement emanating from the dozen-odd actors assembled at the foot of the stage in the Rhodes Theatre was palpable, infecting the audience. Although about to play Shakespeare, they were dressed in their everyday clothes and there was no set on stage. But the tension radiating out of them placed them in the separate realm that full costume accomplishes. The audience were atwitter (the real twittering, not the online version),  laughing, nervous for the actors, some of whom scanned the tiered rows recognising friends and then giving them that gallows stare; their eyes like black holes sucking sustenance and support from those who know and love them, smiles tight. Others were withdrawn into themselves, focusing ...