Free open air beach theatre festival this weekend

THE Fresha Festival is a new, free fun family al-fresco theatre festival to be staged for the first time on Durban’s North Beach for three days from Friday to Sunday, 20 to 22 January.

A varied day-time line-up of carefully-chosen participants has been selected to ensure the programme is diverse, fabulous and entertaining. Among the performers are multi-award winning Moving into Dance Mophatong in Road, choreographed by Oscar Buthelezi who recently returned from Germany with a handful of international awards for the work; fun street theatre comedy interventions by Gerard O – a street performer from the Netherlands; physical theatre pieces by respected Durban choreographers and performers Mdu Mtshali and Shelby Strange; an installation by Doung Anwar Jahangeer; Feedback: a comedy and physical theatre piece by TQ Zondi and Mpilo Nzimande; productions from various theatre groups working with the innovative Twist Theatre Projects; a piece by Durban deaf mime artist, Sibo Masondo, and a guest production: Hit and Run from Isil Vos of the Netherlands. Each production will have two 15-minute performances on the beach-promenade over the weekend.

As part of the festival, the award-winning Moving Into Dance Mophatong will conduct a fun-filled free dance class that will take participants’ bodies on a physical journey combining contemporary dance with that of contemporary African movement and dance. This is for all levels of dancer – from inexperienced, so social to serious, on Saturday morning from 8am to 9am on the lawns. Entry is free and all are welcome.

The Fresha Festival is directed by Emma Durden and Roel Twijnstra and is presented by Twist Theatre Development Projects. Twist is funded by The National Lotteries Commission. Additional funding for Fresha has also been graciously provided by the Department of Arts and Culture KZN and the KZN Performing Arts Trust. The festival would not be possible without the support of eThekwini Municipality. For details, visit www.freshafestival.co.za or email info@freshafestival.co.za, or find them on social media for regular updates.

Fresha festival programme

FRIDAY, 20 JANUARY

5pm: Opening event – procession and performance showcase – free

5.30pm: Sundowner theatre showcase Road (dance – Moving into Dance Mophatong) – in Bedouin marquee – pay what you can donation.

SATURDAY, 21 JANUARY

• 8am to 9am Contemporary dance class – free
• 12.30pm See Power (performance art – Doung Anwar Jahangeer) – free
• 1pm: Gerard O (street comedy from the Netherlands) – free
• 1.30pm: Dustbins (theatre – Thandimpilo) – free
• 2pm: Alive Kids (performance art – The Gift) – free
• 2.30pm: The Furry Glove by Sibo (street mime), ideal for children – free
• 3pm: Dung Beetle (theatre – Mzansi Theatre Projects) – free
• 3.30pm: Overload (theatre – Nansimpumelelo Arts Initiative) – free
• 4pm: Dislocation (physical theatre – Rickshaw Collective) – free
• 4.30pm: Road (Dance – Moving into Dance Mophatong) – free
• 5pm: Sundowner theatre showcase – Hit and Run (theatre – De Veenfabriek from the Netherlands), in the Bedouin marquee – pay what you can donation

SUNDAY, 22 JANUARY

• 12.30pm See Power (performance art – Doung Anwar Jahangeer) – free
• 1pm: Le Mot by Sibo (street mime) – Classic French-style mime – free
• 1.30pm: Gerard O (street comedy from the Netherlands) – free
• 2pm: Dislocation (physical theatre – Rickshaw Collective) – free
• 2.30pm: Dung Beetle (theatre – Mzansi Theatre Projects) – free
• 3pm: Overload (theatre – Nansimpumelelo Arts Initiative) – free
• 3:30pm: Hit and Run (theatre – De Veenfabriek from the Netherlands) – free
• 4pm: Dustbins (Theatre – Thandimpilo) – free
• 4.30pm: Alive Kids (performance art – The Gift) – free
• 5pm: Sundowner theatre showcase – Feedback (physical theatre – TQ Zondi and Mpilo Nzimande) in the Bedouin marquee – pay what you can donation