May 6, 2005
By Bafana Nzimande
LITTLE Shop of Horrors, the deliciously spine-tingling comedy-horror, is just one of the many sizzling productions at the fourth Festival of Fame in Joburg this May.
The annual arts festival runs from Tuesday, 10 May to Saturday, 14 May. Using its traditional theme, "Truly famous, newly famous and the about to be famous", the five-day festival features a wide variety of performances, workshops and exhibitions, all by pupils from the National School of the Arts and amateur and professional artists.
Festival of Fame performances will be staged in Braamfontein at the National School of the Arts, the Wits Main Theatre and the Wits Downstairs Theatre, and in Newtown at the Dance Factory and the Bassline.
National School of the Arts performance at the Dance Spectrum 2004
"This year's event focuses mainly on the talent within the National School of the Arts," said festival co-ordinator Mangoba Mkhize. "We have tried to ensure that the standard of this festival exceeds all previous ones, so people should brace themselves for a killer festival."
One of the highlights is the production of Little Shop of Horrors, presented by pupils from the arts school and directed by William Prophet and Anel Conradie. The music is by the school's orchestra under the baton of Willie de Beer.
The play is about a timid nerd who discovers a strange plant that can make any Joe Soap really famous. There is, however, one minor problem - anyone who comes across this mysterious plant disappears.
On a more serious note is the production You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock, directed by Kebu Mwale. This play celebrates how women fought against oppression in apartheid South Africa.
Maintaining the theme of women power is the critically acclaimed theatre piece, How I Learn How to Drive. It follows the troubled relationship between a young girl and an older man, and the girl's journey on the road of life and love.
Music
Music lovers should make their way to the Bassline, when a number of up-coming bands try to outplay each another in the Battle of the Bands.
For those who fancy themselves performers, the Open Mike sessions allow them to try out their routines in public while Will be Jamming features musicians performing a range of music genres. Festival-goers can also pound away their stress at the Drumming Circle.
Judging by its popularity in previous years, Candlelight Music - presented by the National School of the Arts orchestra - again will be a highlight. Expect music and songs from Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Ipi Ntombi, among others.
A film festival is also taking place during the Festival of Fame, with productions by students from Afda, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance. On show is a variety of local films and live performances, screened at the Dance Factory.
Meet The Stars
The popular Meet the Stars brings local celebrities and festival patrons together. "The 2005 Meet the Stars feature includes Lorcia Cooper, Skwatta Kamp, Bouga Luv and Makgano Mamabolo of Miss Kwa Kwa fame, among our local celebrities," Mkhize said.
Tickets for the Little Shop of Horrors, the Dance Spectrum and Bad Apple are available at Computicket, while tickets for Best of the Best, the Variety Concert, and the Afda film festival are on sale at the door.
Admission to the Battle of the Bands at Bassline on Thursday, 12 May is free. Those wishing to attend the workshops and exhibitions can do so at a cost of R40 a student, or R50 for others, each day.
The Johannesburg Development Agency, the Arts Alive International Festival and several small businesses are supporting this year's event. For more information about the 2005 Festival of Fame, call 011 339 3941 or email festivaloffame@artsschool.co.za.
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