April 12, 2005
By Bafana Nzimande
ORGANISERS of the fourth Festival of Fame - starting on 10 May - are adamant the show will go on, although additional financial support would be very welcome.
The top pupils from the National School of the Arts, as well as amateur and professional artists are preparing to showcase their art, dance, drama and music productions at this year's art extravaganza.
Scheduled to start on Tuesday, 10 May, the five-day festival will comprise of a wide variety of performances, workshops and exhibitions under its traditional theme, "Truly famous, newly famous and the about-to-be-famous".
Like the previous three festivals, this year's Festival of Fame will be of the highest standard, says Manqoba Mkhize, the co-ordinator.
The event is supported by the Johannesburg Development Agency. A few small companies have also come on board to ensure the annual arts festival stays afloat. But, adds Mkhize, more sponsors are needed.
The festival was launched in 2002 and mainly targets school children. However, due to demand, the organisers this year have decided to open the festival to the general public.
"For the first time this year members of the general public can attend evening performances during weekdays. Then, on Saturday, 14 May, the festival will be open to everyone, including non-scholars," Mkhize says.
Tickets for pupils cost R40 a day, giving access to all events on that day. People not at school can attend the evening sessions starting at 7.30pm from10 to 13 May at R30 per person for individual shows. An all-access-pass ticket to attend all festival activities on a particular day costs R50, Mkhize says.
This year there will be a variety of performances at the National School of the Arts, the Wits Theatre and the Dance Factory in Newtown.
Pupils from the National School of the Arts will perform "The Little Shop of Horrors", directed by William Prophet and Anel Conraide. This hilarious play is about a man-eating plant, a scary dentist and a loving couple. The production includes the National School of the Arts orchestra performing live.
"Basadi - Women of Jazz" is a relaxing jazz concert at the Dance Factory. This five-piece jazz band is rapidly making waves in the male-dominated music industry. Then, the Wits Theatre is the venue for singer Juan du Plessis and other National School of the Arts musicians.
At the National School of the Arts' laboratory, the school's drama pupils will put on "Tshaka Tsulu", a comedy about the legendary king, Shaka Zulu. What made him laugh? How would he cope if he came to Jozi in search of his enemies?
Students of the National School of the Art's drama department perform 'Hotel Paradise'
For professional film critics and film critic wannabes there is the pulsating film festival presented by Afda, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, at the Dance Factory.
"This festival is not to be missed; people should get their tickets as soon as they become available," Mkhize says.
Tickets will be on sale at Computicket from 1 May. For more information about the 2005 Festival of Fame, call 011 339 3941 or email festivaloffame@artsschool.co.za.
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