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This is the second National Arts Festival for cool-headed Nobesuthu Rayi and as acting executive producer she’s responsible for getting the selected works in the programme on to the stage. This year’s main programme is woven through with strong themes of land and identity, reimaginations of history and an emergence of new South African narratives. She has experienced the arts from many perspectives, including as an actress, and here are some of the shows she thinks you are going to love at #NAF2019.
This is the second National Arts Festival for cool-headed Nobesuthu Rayi and as acting executive producer she’s responsible for getting the selected works in the programme on to the stage. This year’s main programme is woven through with strong theme
The country’s most famous arts festival is back. Happening from June 27 to July 7 in Makhanda, the National Arts Festival (NAF) brings 11 days of theatre, music, visual art, performance, film and more. Here are acting executive producer Nobesuthu Rayi’s top picks:
DEURnis / Uzwelo
I’m always fascinated by the high level of creativity of artists, but these performers are taking it to the next level.
Deurnis / Uzwelo is an award-winning play of many experiences, each one occurring in a space as a direct one-on-one show between one performer and one audience member.
It’s an exciting, immersive theatre experience, especially as I know that some of the spaces the artists will be using to tell these stories are very interesting.
I am eager to see how the different stories will unfold in this unique format. I’m also very happy that the Windybrow Art Centre is partnering with Theatre Rocket in this edition of the production.
Eastern Cape Divas
It’s no secret that I was born in the Eastern Cape, so anything that seeks to celebrate artists born in this province interests me greatly.
Watching vocal talent Nombasa Maqoko grow right in front of my eyes was exciting.
The first time I experienced her work was four years ago, and she has grown so much since then. Her tone of voice is so angelic and her compositions resonate with a lot of women.
Titi Luzipho’s husky voice and technique of scat singing clearly show she was born in music.
When she sings, you can hear her old soul that she inherited from her mother, who was part of a band called Soul Jazzmen, from Nelson Mandela Bay – my place of birth.
They perform with the Kwantu Choir in a beautifully put-together choir that screams ubuntu and social cohesion.
The choir, a group of residents of Makhanda, always manages to capture an audience with its melodic sounds, great arrangements and amazing song choices.
Freshlyground
Lead singer Zolani Mahola is my homegirl and with their infectious energy and instantly recognisable sound there was no way that I wouldn’t include Freshlyground in my choice of shows.
The band always manages to bring people from all walks of life together and, even if just for a moment, they can sell you the desired South Africa some of us want to live in.
I know I will be dancing from the first song to the last. I’d better not be judged on my dancing skills!
Cellist with Rabies
We are always punting the idea of artist collaborations and encouraging creatives to identify synergies between each other.
I’m so happy to see Jemma Kahn (writer and performer) and Jaco Bouwer (director) collaborating in this production as Standard Bank Young Artist alumni. I was sold on Kahn’s work last year when she took to the stage with The Borrow Pit and I left the theatre with many unanswered questions.
I love work that challenges me. I know Cellist with Rabies will be nothing less than that.
Her ability to bring visual art into her productions always leaves me wanting more of the experience. I particularly look forward to the inclusion of science and research in this production.
I once attended Scifest, which also takes place in Makhanda, as a young person and left the Settlers National Monument convinced that I was going to be a scientist. Two decades later here I am, working in that same building as the NAF producer.
Five Photographers – A Tribute to David Goldblatt
We are very happy to have this exhibition at the festival this year – four photographers paying tribute to the fifth, David Goldblatt, who has since passed on.
It’s beautiful to see fellow artists appreciating and interpreting one of their own.
I’m grateful to the French Institute of SA for making it possible for us to be able to house this exhibition, which is curated with the precision of an architect by John Fleetwood.
G7: Okwe-Bokhwe
I admire the work of choreographer Mzo Gasa and director Mandla Mbothwe. I appreciate their style and to see them working together again is extremely exciting.
They both operate from the core into the entire being of a performer and every time I see their productions I know that the performers will leave everything they are on stage. G7: Okwe-Bokhwe (like/of a goat) is set in the emotional and tension-filled environment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing, and focuses specifically on the Gugulethu Seven.
I’m happy with our partnership with Magnet Theatre, which never disappoints in delivering quality work.
Ekasi Lam – An Ode to Kwaito,Un-Owed to Kwaito
Writer and director Jefferson Tshabalala is one of the many artists I admire in this industry because he is the epitome of resilience.
His production at NAF this year explores an era in South Africa when young people felt as though they finally had something that belonged to them, something authentic and unique – kwaito.
The era of kwaito felt like a new dawn for many and I look forward to the use of scamtho poetry, and can’t wait to take a stroll down memory lane during this show.
The Bookbinder
As an artist, I’m very much in touch with the child in me. I love how this family production promises to propel me into losing myself in the magical, mysterious world to be created by the Trick of the Light Theatre company.
Coming all the way from New Zealand, the company is known for its amazing children’s theatre pieces and we are looking forward to hosting them.
Confessions of a Mormon Boy
American actor and playwright Steven Fales will bring his own story to life through this solo production, directed by Tony Award winner Jack Hofsiss.
The issue of chastising the LGBTIQ+ community is still very much an issue we have not overcome as a society.
The humour, song and unflinching method used to tell this story is what makes me so interested in seeing it. From a perfect Mormon boy in Utah, US, to a perfect rent boy in Manhattan, Fales has had an interesting story.
Pink Money
An exciting international collaboration between South African artists and the Swiss, it is thanks to the Pro Helvetia Swiss Arts Council that we will get to experience performance, party and protest in this one production.
I never thought we would have a performance space resembling a nightclub in Makhanda, but with our technical director Nicci Spalding anything is possible. I look forward to clubbing with you at this one.
The Boat
The Boat is a dance piece co-directed by Themba Mbuli – another superb former Standard Bank Young Artist (Dance, 2016) – and the hugely talented Billy Langa.
I don’t think I could ever be objective about this production because I’m such a fan of Mbuli and Xolisile Bongwana, who is also my homeboy and who will be composing music for this production. T
he Boat lays bare African stories, reminding us what has been lost – heritage, culture, humanity and wealth. It also explores the factors contributing towards the mental and spiritual indoctrination of the African child.
Berni Searle
Searle is this year’s featured artist and there was no way I could not pick her. We will be celebrating her body of work in six exhibitions throughout the festival.
At every corner you turn in Makhanda you are sure to experience her work, from the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Noluthando, Rhodes School of Fine Art and Monument Facade, to the Gallery in the Round and the park behind Rhodes Theatre.
I’m very much fascinated with her work and the thought process that goes behind everything she creates. She is a complete stickler for detail and that is what makes her art stand out, and I love that. Her work resonates with me on all levels of my being.
- For the full programme, go to nationalartsfestival.co.za
