Preview: Wela Kapela presenting three cabarets at National Arts Festival 2022

Preview: Wela Kapela presenting three cabarets on the Fringe at National Arts Festival 2022- live – on stage

The remarkable theatrical powerhouse, Amanda Bothma of Wela Kapela Productions in East London, is producing three cabarets on the Fringe at National Arts Festival 2022. The festival is on June 23 to July 3, 2022. Note that the cabarets are on for limited runs during the festival – and are not on every day. Check out the Wela Kapela cabarets at #NAF2022- live on stage.  Info as supplied.

Wela Kapela Productions

Wela Kapela Productions is thrilled to be presenting three cabarets at The National Arts Festival 2022. This East London based theatre production house was founded by Amanda Bothma who has over 30 years of experience as a writer, director and producer. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Acting from the University of the Free State. She is an alumna of the Eugene O’Neill the National Theatre Institute and attended the National Puppet Conference in 2018 and 2020 in Connecticut, USA. Amanda trained in the Chekov method under Mara Radulović, co-founder of the Michael Chekhov Actors Studio Boston.

Producing quality work and investing in local, young and upcoming talent is the heart of Wela Kapela Productions. “We are theatre makers. Our aim is to develop new work in an innovative, fresh way to an ever growing audience. The stage is our home”, she says. “The stage is our home”.

Award winning

During The National Arts Festival 2021 (on its vFringe platform), Wela Kapela presented three cabarets. Two won Standard Bank Ovation Awards. This year [2022], the company is at #NAF2022 with all guns blazing with three cabarets on stage: Daniel Anderson in Vincent, The Cabaret; Alison Hillstead in Julie Andrews Uncut; and Kerry Hiles in The Story of Eva Cassidy.

About the cabarets

Vincent, the Cabaret- starring Daniel Anderson – June 23 – 27 -at National Arts Festival 2022

Venue: Beethoven Room (First floor of the Rhodes Music Department, Somerset Street, Makhanda.)

“70 million are bid, 73, 75 Million dollars! Sir? I shall then sell it at 75million dollars. Thank you, sir.”
Towards the end of his short life, Vincent Van Gogh, who suffered from mental illness, was treated by Doctor Paul Cachet. Vincent writes to his brother Theo: “A great fire burns within me, but no one stops to warm themselves at it, and passers-by only see a wisp of smoke.” The 37-year-old painter died of a self-inflicted wound in 1890. On May 15, 1990, The Portrait of Doctor Cachet was sold, within three minutes, for 75 million dollars. “Vincent Van Gogh was a complex man with a ruthless drive to create and a deep seated desire to love and be loved,” says Daniel Anderson. “And as a performing artist, getting to share his life in such a unique manner for my hometown audience, is truly an honour.”

Audience member, Cherilyn Pitchford attended a Secret Garden Event in June 2022 and said:”“This is the most intense and emotionally evocative story told of Vincent. The unexpected quirky venue, ceiling projections of Vincent’s works forming the backdrop was genius. From start to finish, Daniels’ clarity in both script and song was captivating. Daniel approached all the characters ‘with the timely play of the pianists keys, with life as if he lived them. As the story moved at the pace of gentle winds growing into a whirlwind of imagination, being sucked into the movements of it all. I was left breathless and tearful as the last scene closed.”

Julie Andrews Uncut- starringAlison Hillstead – June 25 – 28 -at National Arts Festival 2022

Venue: Beethoven Room (First floor of the Rhodes Music Department, Somerset Street, Makhanda)

Julie Andrews, composed, elegant, well spoken …a typical English lady? A lady yes, but not born of noble blood. Julie Andrews is a self-made woman.    She spent her childhood performing on the Vaudeville circuit, singing and dancing two shows a day, six days a week, alongside Pops and Barbara Andrews. Little Julie would stand on a crate to sing a duet with Pops while mom Barbara accompanied them on piano.

On November 1, 1948, a thirteen-year-old Andrews became the youngest solo performer ever to be seen in a Royal Variety Performance. But all was not well in the Andrews family. Pop’s drinking was out of control.  He was a violent drunk, completely unemployable.  So the 14 year old Julie became the sole provider for the bickering Andrews family….a heavy burden that would haunt her for years to come. “Her songs are iconic and we include a variety of different genres. She has the most fascinating life. The content is engaging and intriguing – and so was her life too,” reflects Alison Hillstead.

The Story of Eva Cassidy – starring Kerry Hiles, June 24 – 28 – at National Arts Festival 2022

Venue: Thomas Pringle (1820 Settlers Monument on Lucas Avenue, three levels above the Guy Butler Theatre Stage)

The Story of Eva Cassidy (starring Kerry Hiles) is at once beautiful and tragic; the stuff legends are made of. Our leading lady, Eva Cassidy, is a petite blond shy and unsure of her talent. During the day, Eva worked as a mural painter and landscaper. After hours, she played to half-empty clubs. Her most important album was self-financed. And less than six months later, Eva Cassidy aged 33 died. As with all great legends, what seemed to be the end was only the beginning. Five years after she died, the shy singer from Bowie had become a star.

“Kerry Hiles absolutely nails it as songbird Eva Cassidy with a nuanced, emotional performance.” says producer and director, Amanda Bothma. “I genuinely loved it and felt loved by the telling of Eva’s unremarkable remarkable life. She is raw, real and absolutely beautiful.” says lead actress Kerry Hiles. Be sure not to miss this stunner, artistically presented beautiful performance.

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