Wits celebrates 14 years of 969 Festival
JOBURG – The lauded Wits 969 Festival is back at Wits University in July.
For 14 years, this exciting festival has brought joy to the lives of theatre-goers and it’s back again.
The Wits 969 Festival is, each and every year, one of the best places to find new and up-and-coming thespians showing their stuff on Wits stages and showing the public that theatre is alive and well.
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The festival, which is so named as Wits University is 969km from Grahamstown and the annual National Arts Festival, has always brought boundary-pushing plays to the stage in Johannesburg – produced by professional actors as well as students at the university.
In 2015, the festival saw a range of topics being addressed and brought to the attention of the public including the Holocaust, the story of a woman in India and a Soweto funeral.
Last year, audiences enjoyed extreme shows including a mobile performance, bRENT, where the public was treated to a thrilling show in a moving vehicle around Braamfontein. Also, there was a production that was specially mentioned by the festival director Gita Pather, Amsterdam – a film she applauded a young black woman for writing because it was not based on apartheid.
As per usual, the organisers are hoping to get people into the theatre and get them hooked on the great talent on offer – and this year they aim to achieve this by adding something new.
“The diversity of this year’s festival featuring dance, music, theatre and comedy is exciting with a great balance between both main and fringe entries. We are also delighted to be featuring so many Standard Bank Young Artist winners,” Pather commented.
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Now, celebrating so many years of the festival – almost a decade-and-a-half – the festival will boast more productions than in recent years.
This year there will be 28 theatre, dance and music shows to enjoy.
Don’t miss out on the festival from 14 to 30 July.
Details: Wits Theatre Box Office 011 717 1381
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