Collaboration Day, Event Venue: The Black Power Station Next performance: 6 July 13:00 Preview By: Sayuri Persotham While the atmospheric highs of the National Arts Festival (NAF) are beginning to subside, The Black Power Station (TBPS) presses on, so catch the last of the cultural afterglow before your journey back into normality. In the cozily decorated space, inspired by the underground arts scene, TBPS strives to keep the Festival spirit alive. Wooden panelling and stacked bookcases are bathed in soft hues of yellow and pink, almost reminiscent of your grandfather’s sitting room – a hub of culture and love bound…
Author: Sayuri Persotham
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Circle Song, Theatre Venue: Victoria Theatre Next performance: Saturday 05 July 18:00 Review By Sayuri Persotham Upon entry, I see the room is bathed in darkness. A soft circular glow illuminates the stage, defined by chalk markings and a few scattered props. It is within these boundaries that Ashley Dowds enacts the poignant work of Circle Song. Dowds relives his life’s memories on stage, evoking a sense of shared humanity. Sharing a deeply personal and heartfelt performance, Dowds elicits laughs, tears, and an overwhelming nostalgia through his production of remembrance. Circle Song is rich in nuance, beginning with a reimagined…
TX Theatre Hub Venue: Glennie Hall Interview By: Sayuri Persotham Within the social circles of theatre, actors’ and directors’ names are often clearly evident. But what of the wonder behind the scenes? The production team wields the power to make or break a performance. Stage techs are responsible for crafting a true theatre feel, framing shows with dramatic punchlines or softening hues. Techs are essentially the elves, working in the shoe shop of theatre – the stage. They work in high-pressure environments under the director’s watchful gaze. Students of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Tessa Mvelase and Xaba Ntjana illuminate…
Fun4U Funfair Venue: Fiddlers Green By Sayuri Persotham Fiddlers Green Fun4u FunFair is a fan-favourite for children amid the usual festival fare. A travelling amusement park, Fun4U promises a classic funfair experience, complete with rides, ice cream, and other novelties. Admittedly, the fields appeared slightly lackluster, with a modest smattering of rides and tents across the green. Still, the fair was reasonably bustling earlier this week, with parents and their young ones all enjoying quality time in the sun. Be warned — you may need to bust open the piggy bank for this one. Can you really put a price…
ADHD, Musical comedy Venue: Victoria Theatre Next performance: Thursday 03 July 14:00 Review By Sayuri Persotham Dynamic duo Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy bring an old-school charm to the 2025 National Arts Festival, leading their team, the 031 Collective Hub. The collective features around 10 creatives and eight productions – all curated with the acuteness of seasoned performers. For the 031 Collective, it all boils down to preparation – arriving already stage-ready in Makhanda. “When you come to the Festival, everyone’s tired, everyone’s slightly bewildered and overworked,” Aaron says. “You don’t want to do a sort of C-rate version of…
Netphlix, Theatre Venue: Victoria Girls’ High School Gymnasium Next performance: Tuesday, 01 July 14:00 Review By Sayuri Persotham You never know what to expect from a one-person show—only that you need to be ready for anything. Still, Sophie Joans leaves the room breathless with her production Netphlix—a biting blend of comedy and critique. In just 52 minutes, Joans parodies Netflix’s best, from Breaking Bad to Sex Education. Her witty reworking of familiar fan-favourites brings a theatrical flair to the current media landscape. She captures exactly what every viewer is thinking, playing the actor, director, and most memorably, herself. Though occasionally…
Pillayboy, Comedy Venue: Graham Hotel Next performance: 30 June 16:00 Preview By Sayuri Persotham An Indian guy walks into a bar and asks if there’s a free pool table. The bartender says, “Apologies, good sir – we charge Pillayers.” Jaryd Pillay, Capetonian comedian, returns to the familiar stages of Makhanda with his latest special: Pillayboy. Real, raw, and downright refreshing, the show explores Pillay’s personal dilemmas from divorced parents to identity crises, and the cultural distance in between. The comedian’s knack for brightening the heaviest of subjects is god-given – and significantly cheaper than therapy. Through self-deprecation and satire, Pillay reframes the…
Theatre, Dance, Comedy Venue: Victoria Girls’ High School Gymnasium Interview By Sayuri Persotham Spark In the Dark Productions hit Makhanda’s ground running, with an impressive 14-show lineup for the 2025 National Arts Festival (NAF). From power cuts to creative clashes, no obstacle is insurmountable for this dream team. Co-founder Samantha Carlisle explains the sweet sentiment behind the ‘Spark in the Dark’ name—a mission to “bring light to the performing arts”. Over the years, longstanding coordinator Dara Beth says, “the company has evolved from a singular vision into a team effort”. Though a logistical nightmare for many, their Spark Hub organising…
Black Mouse, Theatre Venue: Dicks, Monument Building Next performance: Saturday 27 June 16:00 Review By Sayuri Persotham Black Mouse is a haunting performance of love, grief, and deception. The play redefines the proverbial bogeymen of thriller theatre by framing human nature as the unseen enemy. This begs the question: How do we exorcise the demons that lie within? There are no correct answers – only interpretation. Playwright Alice Viskat weaves her characters into a twisted game of past and present, where action carries consequences. Obscuring the playing field with secrets and lies, Viskat systematically fractures viewers’ sense of judgement. Actors…
Venue: Victoria High School Field Next appearance: Friday 27 June to Sunday 6 July Opinion piece By Sayuri Persotham Wood chips underfoot and brightly coloured flags flying high – the Village Green Market has begun. Tall, white tents stand in uniform rows on the field, each concealing its own wonders. Upon first glance, I saw Village Green as the heart of the National Arts Festival – a meeting point of South African culture and every market-goer’s dream. The range and diversity of items on offer make for a treasure trove of local gems. From plants to clothing to jewellery, Village…