Wêla Kapela Productions on The Fringe at National Arts Festival 2023 At a glance: There are NINE Wêla Kapela Productions at NAF 2023- one in association with Kerry Hiles- Amy Winehouse – the Diva and her Demons (not on the poster) Seven Wêla Kapela cabarets are in the Beethoven Room – on the first floor of the Rhodes University Music School The award winning cabaret- The story of Eva Cassidy – performed by Kerry Hiles is in the Pringle Room: The second floor of the Monument Building, above the Guy Butler theatre Wêla Kapela is also presenting Happy Days – the celebrated absurdist play by Samuel Beckett. It stars Wêla Kapela founder and director, Amanda Bothma and is directed by Pieter Taljaard. The venue is at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature Here is the direct link to The Fringe: https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/category/naf2023/fringe/ Direct booking links to all the shows, presented by Wêla Kapela Productions at NAF 2023, may be found in the box, below. |
Wêla Kapela Productions is presenting nine productions at National Arts Festival 2023. Wêla Kapela has garnered several Standard Bank Ovation Awards at NAF, over the years, including two Ovation Awards at 2022 NAF. In addition, Wêla Kapela is collaborating with Kerry Hiles on a tribute show on Amy Winehouse – The Diva and her Demons. That makes 10 shows on the Wêla Kapela platform. NAF 2023 is on June 22 to July 2. Note the performance times and venues of the different Wêla Kapela shows- see booking links below in box.
Three Wêla Kapela cabarets in the Beethoven Room, feature Alison Hillstead who will be accompanied by Nathan Johannisen. The Beethoven Room is at the Rhodes University Music Department and there is street parking but you may have to walk up the hill, so allow some time to get there. The music school is near the Rhodes Theatre complex. The cabarets are: Damsel in Distress, I am Still here and Julie Andrews – Uncut.
Vincent – starring Daniel Anderson (vocals) and Jacques Du Plessis (piano)is also on in the Beethoven Room. This stirring and evocative cabaret which evokes the life, art, struggles and joys of Vincent van Gogh, received a Bronze Ovation Award at NAF 2022 and was nominated for a Fleur du Cap Theatre Award [Best Performance in a revue or one person show].
Elton Adams – featuring Nathan Johannisen on vocals and piano and written and directed Amanda Bothma is also on in the Beethoven Room. Elton Adams is a cabaret “which tells the story of this unfortunate looking boy who stutters.”
NEXT!!! is an award winning cabaret starring Dikelo Mamiala as “a young Black girl from Mount Frere who dreams of stardom” is also on in the Beethoven Room. Dikelo won the award for Best Festival Debut at the United Solo Festival 2023, in New York.
The story of Eva Cassidy – award winning cabaret/tribute, performed by Kerry Hiles is on in The Pringle Room – is on the second floor of the Monument Building, above the Guy Butler theatre. Kerry’s other show, Amy Winehouse – the Diva and her Demons is also on in The Pringle Room. There is ample parking at the Monument.
Amanda Bothma is in the seminal play, Happy Days by Samuel Beckett and directed by Pieter Taljaard. The venue is at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature. It is a beautiful venue – look out for the outdoor Pencils sculpture by Strijdom van der Merwe. There is ample secure parking at this venue.
So, it is easy. Catch seven Wêla Kapela cabarets in the Beethoven Room. Two cabarets are in the Pringle Room at the Monument. Happy Days –the play by Samuel Beckett – not performed often is at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature– about a 12 minute drive from the centre of Makhanda, so allow time to get there.
Wêla Kapela Productions at National Arts Festival 2023 ~ Three cabarets with Alison Hillstead accompanied by Nathan Johannisen Venue: Beethoven Room (first floor of the Rhodes Music Department, Somerset Street, near the Rhodes University complex of theatres) Damsel in Distress https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/damsel-in-distress/ I am Still here https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/i-am-still-here/ Julie Andrews – Uncut https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/julie-andrews-uncut-2/ ~ Elton Adams – featuring Nathan Johannisen on vocals and piano, written/directed Amanda Bothma Venue: Beethoven Room https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/elton-adams/ ~ Vincent – award winning cabaret – evoking the life, times, art, struggles of Vincent van Gogh, starring Daniel Anderson (vocals) and Jacques Du Plessis (piano) Venue: Beethoven Room https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/vincent-2/ ~ NEXT!!! – award winning cabaret starring Dikelo Mamiala Venue: Beethoven Room https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/next/ ~ Mad about the Boys – cabaret starring Daniel Anderson (vocals) and Jacques du Plessis (piano)- ode and tribute to Ivor Novello, Noel Coward and Cole Porter Venue: Beethoven Room https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/mad-about-the-boys/ ~ The story of Eva Cassidy – award winning performed by Kerry Hiles Venue: The Pringle Room https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/the-story-of-eva-cassidy-2/ ~ Happy Days by Samuel Beckett, starring Amanda Bothma and directed by Pieter Taljaard Venue: Amazwi Auditorium in the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature – 25A Worcester St, Makhanda https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/happy-days/ ~ Amy Winehouse – the Diva and her Demons – performed by Kerry Hiles – in association with Wêla Kapela Productions Venue: The Pringle Room https://nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/amy-winehouse-the-diva-and-her-demons/ |

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