Fuelled by a record-breaking number of productions on the Fringe, unusually warm weather and a Main programme widely regarded as one of the strongest in recent years, the National Arts Festival has reported an 8.7% increase in attendance in its 38th year.
Fuelled by a record-breaking number of productions on the Fringe, unusually warm weather and a Main programme widely regarded as one of the strongest in recent years, the National Arts Festival has reported an 8.7% increase in attendance in its 38th year.
“Our attendance was 218 236 across the Main, Fringe and our various free events,” Festival CEO Tony Lankester said. “This is up on the 200 771 reported last year, and continues the trend of steady upward growth.”
“Our Main programme this year featured really strong work as part of the French Season in South Africa, our Season of Solo Theatre and a range of productions from many of South Africa’s top institutions and independent companies,” Lankester said.
“This mix resulted in a programme that had broad appeal and helped draw audiences to this flagship event.” The success of the Festival comes despite the global economic slowdown, with organisers acknowledging that South Africans are turning their attention to local destinations as international trips become more expensive.
“Our efforts to keep our ticket prices relatively low are paying off. The rand value of our ticket sales increased by 18% even though the average ticket price increased by just 6% (from R43.90 in 2011 to R46.46 in 2012). “Audiences seem to have more disposable income than in previous years, and are responding well to the strong programme on offer,” Lankester said.
The Festival is a massive logistical undertaking, with around 124 technicians in its employment. To stage approximately 500 productions the 11-day event utilised:
· 47 performance venues
· 140 kilometres of cable
· 1 200 theatre lights
· 376 speakers
· 56 tons of scaffolding
· 414 metres of lighting bars
· 320 litres of black paint
· 246 floorboards
· 5.7 tons of stage weights
· 1 460 rolls of toilet paper (single ply)
· 12 tons of sound and lighting equipment.
The Festival this year also played host to a range of international producers and festival directors. The first global gathering of World Fringe Alliance members took place in Grahamstown, attended by the directors of the New York, Brighton, Prague, Amsterdam, Perth and Adelaide Fringe Festivals.
“As a direct result of the Alliance meeting, several South African productions have been invited to tour to other Festivals,” said Lankester, who was also re-elected Chair of the Alliance. “This is a major nod to South Africa’s artists, and represents a big opportunity for them to take their rightful place on the world stage.”
“Now that the invitations have been extended,” Lankester said, “the National Arts Festival will work closely with the productions and with the national Department of Arts and Culture and other funders to make it possible for those productions to travel”.
