For Inscrutable. Acty Tang. A requiem for father and fatherland.  Beautiful Elev(i)ate. Light, loving, funny, philosophical -- but not heavy.  The show is beautiful.  Athena puts her heart out there. London Road. A very touching vignette on a friendship.  Take tissues.  But it's not a tear-jerker.  The moments of pathos are so tender, and you'll laugh straight after -- because the characters are delightful, the characterisation superb.  You'll love Rosa, she's a gem. Kaput. I am a seagull, no I am ... kaput.  Because of the oil-slick on the sea.  Because of the war.  And soldiers, who rape.  But, there is redemption.  Through love.  Lifetime love.  This is a delightful show -- that left us wanting (much) more. Related posts:Ouroboros – Comment by Sheena Stannard Kaput! Comments by Sheena Stannard

Great performances, great music, yes the pace could have been faster at times but the film was very honest. It does not resort to any gimmicks. Instead it bravely tells the true  story about a CT family's triumph over substance abuse. The female leads carried the film for me and Mam' Mhlongo (RIP) does a cameo as the sangoma musician who helps the family heal. Related posts:The Revolution will be Televised – GHETTO PROVERBS-by NoCoolSpot AFDA SHORT FILMS written by NoCoolSpot SAN written by NoCoolSpot

Swan Lake will never be the same for me again and I mean that in a good way!!! It is to my mind one of the dullest ballets there is. But this!!! Is awesome. There is a wonderful comic skit at the beginning explaining the story that really tickled me. Dada's use of the bodies she was working with brought the swans so much more to life that the old style ballet version ever did. The tutu's also ceased to be just costumes and were transformed into lively, expressive tailfeathers. In amongst all this she has weaved in issues around gender and sexuality in a very clever way giving the audience something to think about too... Dada Masilo is my new ...

In today's show, we have two great interviews with South Africa's lengendary musicians Sibibongile Khumalo and Vusi Mahlasela. We also check out the vibe at Long table and finally we review Big Boys Don't Dance... Audio: Fest Forward podcast 03-07-10 Related posts:Podcast: Fest Forward 2 July 2010 Audio: Fest Focus Highlights Podcast: Fest Forward 1 July 2010

Geresenseer deur Christa Snyman. As ʼn regisseur besluit om ‘n toneelstuk te adverteer as ʼn produksie wat gedoen is in die styl van ʼn bekende genre/styl, moet so ʼn regisseur seker maak van sy kennis van die styl en nie net fokus op die indruk van die term nie. Kruispad is geadverteer as ʼn Teater van Wreedheid-produksie (LitNet, 27 Mei 2010) maar die styl van hierdie opvoering het slegs ʼn oppervlakkige kennis van Teater van Wreedheid gewys. Eerstens het Antonin Artaud enige geskrewe teks verbied in sy teater omdat hy die na-apery van vorige opvoerings en emosies wou vermy. Artaud wou ook ʼn aanval rig op die gehoor se sintuie deur klank en beelde – onverwagte dieregeluide wat ...

Ok so this is one of our Fest Fashion outfits that didn't work so good... Only because we should have used a longer body. Kele is gorgeous but this outfit was not the most flattering one we could have found for her. Didn't stop us having lots of fun!!! The hat is from Akimbo vintage clothing and the top and shorts are from From the Wardrobe - Tent 1 stall 72. Contact Rupert on 0762738722 [caption id="attachment_1358" align="aligncenter" width="157" caption="Kele by From the Wardrobe"][/caption] Related posts:That little black dress (photo) One bite and it’s gone (photo – fashion) Fest feshen (Pics)

Today we caught up with the cast of London Road, which has been causing a huge stir at this year's festival. We also listen to Gavin Bonner telling tales and finally NATV will bring you all that is special on 12 Days of Fest... Audio: Fest Forward: 02-07-10 Related posts:Podcast: Fest Forward 1 July 2010 Podcast: Fest Forward 24 June 2010 Podcasts: Fest Forward 23 June 2010

I wanted to start this with something like: ‘some of my best friends really are Afrikaners and I really think these films would have offended them’.  But that would have been displacement.  Truth is I just did not like them. I thought the filmic approach was inappropriately old school and condescending towards its subject and audience, whomever that is. Related posts:AFDA SHORT FILMS written by NoCoolSpot Juggling the ball – the Think!Fest conversations about sport in South Africa Dude, where’s my camera? by NoCoolSpot

Got waylaid by the right-brained tannies of Grahamstown on my way to this one.  Really pissed me off.  Reminded me of those 80s days when a high-melanin count involuntarily catalysed the need to condescend.  Finally walked into that auditorium feeling a little prejudiced, regrettably ageist and ungenerous.  Ironic really.  Anyway.  Like some kind of African Buddhist Deejay Guru intervention Vusi walked on stage, audience clapped their extended appreciation and awash in the then-gold lighting he commenced to gig on the things that matter: the past, reconciliation, human rights, pan-Africanism, free trade, love, devastation you name it he went there and he took us with him.  Wanted to give the brother on the extreme left (third row on the front, you ...

Piano Cello Duo Classic of Africa started badly, but ended with me tjanking for joy. Polina Burdokova (cello) and Kerryn Wisniewski (piano -- with my bud professor Leonhard Praeg turning the pages) were great, but the first piece, a cello sonata composed by Wits prof Jeanne Zaidel-Rudholph sounded – to my rof ear – really cr*p! All jerky and crazy, like a score from a horror movie. My mind drifted … I felt I was in a psychiatric ward, or worse, Janet Leigh in the famous shower scene from Psycho … Woaw! But hey, this is South African composition and we are here to be challenged by unfettered creativity. Why? Because it’s ours and we can. The next pieces were marvelous. And I even detected ...