London Road

The 2011 National Arts Festival saw a 7.45% increase in overall attendance, with 200 771 attendees at the various events on offer in Grahamstown.

This breaks the 200 000 barrier for the first time. This continues the trend of growth over the last seven years:

TOTAL ATTENDANCE (% change on previous year)
2004 131 900
2005 139 100 (+5.18%)
2006 140 960 (+1.32%)
2007 143 403 (+1.70%)
2008 147 574 (+2.83%)
2009 170 045 (+13.21%)
2010 185 805 (+8.48%)
2011 200 771 (+7.45%)

“The growth is particularly pleasing given that, in 2010, we had an extended Festival and this year we have been able to show an increase even though we spanned four fewer days,” Festival CEO Tony Lankester said.

The growth was driven largely by strong sales for the Festival’s Main and Arena programmes, which reported a healthy number of sold out performances this year – including Angel Heart and Fourteen, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Cape Town City Ballet and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra’s presentation of Swan Lake, The History Boys, Sadako, Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for Music Ben Schoeman’s two recitals, Lloyd Webber and Friends, Lara Bye’s ‘night Mother starring Sandra Prinsloo, and Auriol Hays’ concert.

“The high demand for tickets spanned a range of genres, including music, theatre and dance, demonstrating that the Festival is still seen as a playground for the artistically curious and for audiences who seek out quality performances, regardless of genre,” Lankester said.

The Fringe programme also featured its own share of box-office success stories. London Road, building on its premiere at the 2010 Festival where it was awarded the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award for Theatre, was the overall highest grossing production on the Fringe. The next instalment of the perennial ‘Raiders’ franchise, Rocket Raiders, ending up as the biggest grossing Comedy production and ranking second overall.

Boo! frontman Chris Chameleon’s solo performances, which were awarded the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award for Music this year, were both sold out, while Festival stalwarts Tony Cox and Steve Newman’s production Return of the Road Warriors was the biggest grossing music show at the Festival.

“Comedy is still the mainstay of the Fringe programme, accounting for 17 of the top 25 grossing productions,” Lankester said. “However we’re seeing music and theatre doing well too, particularly those productions which were awarded Standard Bank Ovation Awards this year and last.”

“The Fringe has shown that it contains many gems which create buzz on the streets of Grahamstown, and Fringe artists are enjoying the success of their hard work and marketing efforts,” Lankester said.

Lankester noted that the growth in attendance would have been even greater had there not been a decline in the number of complimentary tickets issued at the event this year.

“The number of free tickets issued by Fringe artists dropped by about 20%. On the one hand this does negatively affect our overall statistics, but it shows that artists and audiences are beginning to place a value on their work and, rightfully, expect tickets to be bought rather than handed out for free, which is encouraging,” he said.

Lankester made the same point from the floor at the ‘Funding of the Arts’ panel discussion at this year’s Festival, where he implored government, artists and business to protect the integrity and value of the work of artists by launching a campaign to reduce the culture of audiences demanding free tickets. “If artists are expected to work for free then it becomes harder for them to claim a place in society as valuable contributors to the overall economy. If a ticket is perceived as having a zero rand value then that sends a strong message about the value that the ticket holder places on the work they are watching, and it shows a distinct lack of respect for the work of artists,” he said.

The next National Arts Festival will be held from 28 June – 8 July 2012.

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The Eastern Cape Government, The National Arts Council, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, The Sunday Independent and M Net.

About the National Arts Festival: The National Arts Festival, now in its 38th year, has proved its sustainability and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for collaboration with international artists; and build new audiences.

Artslink.co.za Account:
Gilly Hemphill
The Famous Idea Trading Co.
gilly@thefamousidea.co.za
021 880 0889
082 820 8584
National Arts Festival

With just less than one week still to go until the start of the National Arts Festival, more than 1 000 tickets have already been sold for London Road.

This Standard Bank Golden Ovation Award winner, and triple Fleur du Cap recipient, has been captivating critics and audiences alike since it premiered in March last year.

Presented by KBT Productions, London Road will be performed at St Andrew’s Hall from 30 June to 5 July and from 8 to 10 July.

“The team has been both delighted and overwhelmed by the advance demand for tickets,” says Simon Cooper of KBT Productions. “A number of performances are already virtually sold out and tickets are moving steadily on a daily basis.”

Directed by multiple-award winning Lara Bye and featuring Fleur du Cap winners Robyn Scott and Ntombi Makhutshi, London Road tells a tender, funny story about an unlikely friendship between two women from diverse backgrounds whose lives collide in a Seapoint apartment block. They take comfort in finding that common themes unite them and discover the healing power of friendship.

Writer Nicholas Spagnoletti won a Fleur du Cap award for Best New SA Script and the stellar creative team includes acclaimed performer, designer and puppeteer, Craig Leo for design, Faheem Bardien for lighting design and original sound by Braam Du Toit.

The press have hailed the show as “….simply brilliant… radiates beauty and empathy” (Sunday Independent); “…. a warm, witty and wise drama” (Business Day) and “…one of the Festival’s must-sees” (Cue).

“There are universal themes in London Road that resonate with all us – fragmented families, fear of being alone or getting older and the joy in finding true friendship,” says Cooper. “Combined with the powerhouse performances, Lara’s poignant direction and the acutely observed script, London Road is a hot ticket!”

London Road will be performed at St Andrew’s Hall on 30 June at 13h30; 1 July at 15h30; 2 July at 10h00; 3 July at 13h30 and 17h30; 4 July at 16h30; 5 July at 22h00; 8 July at 10h00 and 14h00; 9 July at 12h30 and 10 July at 12h00.

Tickets cost R70, R75 or R85. Tickets to the show on 10 July cost only R43.
PG Language

*For a taste of the production, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X9LPv2YWxc
Bookings can be made at Computicket

Production information:
Production: London Road, presented by KBT Productions
Written by: Nicholas Spagnoletti
Directed by: Lara Bye
Cast: Robyn Scott and Ntomboxolo Makhutshi
Set, props and costume design by Craig Leo and Lara Bye
Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien
Original Sound by Braam Du Toit
Original Set Concept: Lara Bye
Venue: St Andrew’s Hall
Dates: 30 June – 5 July and 8 – 10 July
PG Language

Following rave reviews, numerous awards and sold-out houses around the country, the runaway smash hit London Road returns to Grahamstown.

Presented by KBT Productions, it will be performed at the National Arts Festival at St Andrew’s Hall from 30 June to 5 July and from 8 to 10 July.

Lara Bye’s production features the power-house duo of Robyn Scott and Ntombi Makhutshi in Nicholas Spagnoletti’s tender, funny and poignant story about two women from diverse backgrounds whose lives collide in a Seapoint apartment block.

Winner of the Standard Bank Golden Ovation award for Theatre at the National Arts Festival last year, the show has garnered three Fleur du Cap awards (Best Performance by an actress for Robyn Scott, Best Supporting Actress for Ntombi Makhutshi and Best New SA Script for Nicholas Spagnoletti, making it the most nominated production this year) and was also nominated for two Kanna awards – Best Director for Lara Bye and Best Female Artist for Robyn Scott.

London Road has received universal praise from critics, including “one of the Festival’s must-sees….”(Cue); “Memorable, mesmerising, magnificent” (Citizen) and “…feels like a little miracle.” (The Next 48 Hours).

”London Road is a simple and intimate reflection on growing old, loneliness, fragmented families and the healing power of a friendship,” says director Lara Bye.

On the surface, Stella and Rosa Kaplowitz have nothing in common. Stella is a young Nigerian woman. Long distant family, dodgy gangsters and a sense of survival makes her very mistrusting of the gestures of strangers. Rosa is an elderly Jewish widow living in a flat on the fifth floor. Her children and grandchildren live in Australia and Israel so she keeps herself occupied by becoming very involved in the business of her neighbourhood. These two women find themselves stranded together and take comfort in finding that common themes unite them.

London Road is written by seasoned TheatreSports performer and Cape Town writer, Nicholas Spagnoletti who won the Audience Choice award at the PANSA new South African Playwriting competition in 2007 for his original script. The production has been further developed for the stage through improvisations in rehearsals and based on extensive research by director Lara Bye and her actresses.

Bye continues her exploration of the theatre of suggestion. With London Road she brings her trademark attention to detail, intelligent sophistication, unique theatre style and staging to the production. Other recent projects have included directing The Flying Dutchman at the Suidoosterfees and ‘night, Mother for this year’s Main Programme at the National Arts Festival, again working with London Road designer Craig Leo and lighting designer Faheem Bardien and featuring Sandra Prinsloo and Antoinette Louw.

Original sound for London Road is by Braam Du Toit.

London Road will be performed at St Andrew’s Hall on 30 June at 13h30; 1 July at 15h30; 2 July at 10h00; 3 July at 13h30 and 17h30; 4 July at 16h30; 5 July at 22h00; 8 July at 10h00 and 14h00; 9 July at 12h30 and 10 July at 12h00.

Tickets cost R70, R75 or R85. Tickets to the show on 10 July cost only R43.

PG 13 Language

* For a taste of the production, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X9LPv2YWxc or visit www.londonroad.co.za

Bookings can be made at Computicket

* Look out for Producers Simon and Helen Cooper who will present as part of the Hands On! Masks Off! Programme. Writing about the Fleur du Cap awards this year, Artslink.co.za commented, “With the number of times Simon Cooper’s name was mentioned in grateful thanks, it’s clear even from this just one event, that his contribution to the local theatre scene – in many aspects – is both a positive and necessary one. It is of significance that the body of work being produced and presented in his Kalk Bay Theatre, or under the banner of his KBT Productions, is of such quality not only to sustain the off-the-beaten track Theatre itself, but also to make work of a standard which gets the tongues of the country wagging.”

What the press have said about London Road:

“Memorable, mesmerising, magnificent” Citizen

“a treasure…. a warm, witty and wise drama” Business Day

“…sterling performances….. one of the Festival’s must-sees….It’s a small story with a huge heart and is one of those Festival moments that won’t leave your head when you leave this city.” Cue 2010

“a very special piece of theatre” thedailymaverick.co.za

“…feels like a little miracle.” The Next 48 Hours;

“….simply brilliant… radiates beauty and empathy.” Sunday Independent;

“The humour is gentle, the drama and pathos understated … brought to life by two formidable stage talents …” Sunday Times;

“A beautifully written script performed magnificently by two very talented women and directed with such beautiful eloquence. This play raises the bar on new South African writing for theatre.” Ismail Mahomed, National Arts Festival Director

“…awash with lingering powerful images.” Cape Times

“Go to London Road. It’s worth the journey.” Cape Argus

“Die 36-jarige Scott in die rol van die bejaarde Rosa Kaplowitz is verbysterend… Makhutshi is pragtig en het ‘n sterk teenwoordigheid op die verhoog.” Die Burger

“…..Spagnoletti has both a good ear for dialogue and a camp sense of humour…This is indeed promising new work.” Mail and Guardian

“…… an absolute master class in movement and breath….” www.writingstudio.co.za

“I cannot think of a single reason why anyone in Cape Town shouldn’t see this play.” www.meganshead.co.za

“London Road is quite simply not to be missed.” www.yoursoapbox.co.za

“…the visual prompts are so effective one hardly needs imagination….” Artslink.co.za

“London Road is a compassionate vignette with many laugh-out-loud moments and well worth an evening out.” False Bay Echo

“……London Road will definitely leave you with a warm appreciation for one’s friendships and the joys of sharing.” www.bizcommunity.com

Production information:
Production: London Road, presented by KBT Productions
Written by: Nicholas Spagnoletti
Directed by: Lara Bye
Cast: Robyn Scott and Ntomboxolo Makhutshi
Set, props and costume design by Craig Leo and Lara Bye
Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien
Original Sound by Braam Du Toit
Original Set Concept: Lara Bye
Venue: St Andrew’s Hall
Dates: 30 June – 5 July and 8 – 10 July
PG Language

The playscript of London Road has been published by Junkets Publishers

ISBN : 978-0-620-45827-6

Contact info.junkets@iafrica.com for orders.

Part of London Road’s marketing campaign for the festival are these London Road ‘roadsigns’ on display at various street corners and venues.

Last chance to see new smash hit before Grahamstown

Acclaimed London Road for two nights only at Villa Pascal

The acclaimed new South African play, London Road, will be performed for two more nights only before it makes tracks for Grahamstown.

Lara Bye’s production of this tender, funny story about a friendship between two women from diverse backgrounds, will be performed at Villa Pascal on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June.

Written by rising Cape Town playwright, Nicholas Spagnoletti, and further developed for the stage in collaboration with director Bye and actresses Robyn Scott and Ntombi Makhutshi, the much-lauded London Road has been taking the Cape Town theatre scene by storm. The production premiered at the Kalk Bay Theatre and was consequently invited to The Fugard Theatre in Cape Town.

The performances by Robyn Scott as the elderly Jewish widow, Rosa, and Ntombi Makhutshi as the young Nigerian, Stella, have been described as ‘phenomenal’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘a tour de force’.       The rave reviews have included: “…feels like a little miracle.” (The Next 48 Hours);     “….simply brilliant… radiates beauty and empathy.” (Sunday Independent) ;    “Die 36-jarige Scott in die rol van die bejaarde Rosa Kaplowitz is verbysterend… Makhutshi is pragtig en het ‘n sterk teenwoordigheid op die verhoog.” (Die Burger) and   “The humour is gentle, the drama and pathos understated … brought to life by two formidable stage talents …” (Sunday Times).

“Having presented London Road on the Cape Peninsula and in Cape Town, we are excited to be bringing it closer to audiences in the Northern Suburbs,” says producer Simon Cooper.

On the surface, Stella and Rosa Kaplowitz have nothing in common other than the block of flats in which they live in London Road, Seapoint. Stella is a young Nigerian woman living in a damp, converted storage room. Long distant family, dodgy gangsters and a sense of survival makes her very mistrusting of the gestures of strangers. Rosa is an elderly Jewish widow living in a flat on the fifth floor. Her children and grandchildren live overseas so she keeps herself occupied by becoming very involved in the business of her neighbourhood.

After an act of violence, these two women find themselves stranded together and take comfort in the common themes they realise unite them: absent men, scattered families, broken relationships and a dark sense of humour.

The original script by Nicholas Spagnoletti won the Audience Choice award at the PANSA new South African Playwriting competition in 2007. The award-winning technical team that has helped bring the production to life include Craig Leo designing set props and costume with Lara Bye; Faheem Bardien creating the lighting design, and original sound from Braam Du Toit.

London Road will be performed at Villa Pascal on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June at 19h00. Doors open at 18h00 and patrons are invited to bring their own drinks and a picnic basket.

Tickets cost R110, with a discount of 10% for groups of 10 or more. Students with valid student cards can buy tickets at the door 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance, subject to availability, for R75.

To book contact 021-975 2566 or visit http://www.villapascal.co.za

PG 13 Language

*Join London Road on Facebook: “London Road” or visit www.londonroad.co.za

Production information:

Production: London Road, presented by KBT Productions

Written by: Nicholas Spagnoletti and developed for the stage with the director and cast

Directed by: Lara Bye

Venue: Villa Pascal

Dates: Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June

Cast: Robyn Scott and Ntomboxolo Makhutshi

Set, props and costume design by Craig Leo and Lara Bye

Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien

Original Sound by Braam Du Toit

Original Set Concept: Lara Bye

From the outside the Fugard looks like a church that the city has grown up around. The other buildings are tightly packed around it and loom a little over it, giving its stone façade an out of place feeling that captures the magic of the whole place. It feels like a old and trusted place, rather than the new kid on the block in the little theatre world of Cape Town.

Read the rest of Jon’s post here

Remember London Road runs at the The Fugard until next Saturday the 8th of May 2010.

This acclaimed production has been playing to sold-out houses and rave reviews and has been invited to the new Fugard Theatre for a limited season of only fifteen shows from Tuesday 20 April.

London Road tells the tender, funny story about a friendship between two women from diverse backgrounds. The performances by Robyn Scott as the elderly Jewish widow, Rosa, and Ntombi Makhutshi as the young Nigerian, Stella, have been described as ‘phenomenal’, ‘breathtaking’ and ‘a tour de force’.

“We have been overwhelmed by the positive response we have received about this production and are greatly looking forward to presenting it on The Fugard Theatre stage in central Cape Town,” says director Lara Bye.

The original script by Nicholas Spagnoletti won the Audience Choice award at the PANSA new South African Playwriting competition in 2007. It has been further developed for the stage through improvisations in rehearsals and based on extensive research by the director and her actresses. The award-winning technical team include Craig Leo designing set, props and costume, Faheem Bardien creating the lighting design, and original sound from Braam Du Toit.

What the press have said:

“…feels like a little miracle.” The Next 48 Hours

“…awash with lingering powerful images.”  Cape Times

“…simply brilliant… radiates beauty and empathy.” Sunday Independent

“Go to London Road. It’s worth the journey.” Cape Argus

“Die 36-jarige Scott in die rol van die bejaarde Rosa Kaplowitz is verbysterend… Makhutshi is pragtig en het ‘n sterk teenwoordigheid op die verhoog.”   Die Burger

“The humour is gentle, the drama and pathos understated … brought to life by two formidable stage talents …” Sunday Times

“…..and Spagnoletti has both a good ear for dialogue and a camp sense of humour…This is indeed promising new work.” Mail and Guardian

“…… an absolute master class in movement and breath….”  www.writingstudio.co.za

“I cannot think of a single reason why anyone in Cape Town shouldn’t see this play.” www.meganshead.co.za

“London Road is quite simply not to be missed.” www.yoursoapbox.co.za

“…the visual prompts are so effective one hardly needs imagination….” Artslink

“London Road is a compassionate vignette with many laugh-out-loud moments and well worth an evening out.” False Bay Echo

“……London Road will definitely leave you with a warm appreciation for one’s friendships and the joys of sharing.” www.bizcommunity.com

*Visit www.londonroad.co.za or join London Road on Facebook: “London Road”

London Road will be performed at The Fugard Theatre Tuesdays– Saturdays at 19h30 from 20 April until 8 May 2010.

Tickets prices are:
Reduced price previews on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21: R60
Tuesday nights: R60
Wednesdays – Saturdays: R100
Block bookings of 10 – book 10 tickets and only pay for 9
Students and Pensioners: Tuesdays – Thursdays R60 and On Fridays and Saturdays R60 subject to availability and available 30 minutes before the performance.
Book at the theatre or contact The Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or visit www.thefugard.com

The Fugard Theatre is situated cnr Harrington and Caledon str., District 6, Cape Town. Secure parking is available in Harrington Square car park.

PG 13 Language

Production information:
Production: London Road, presented by KBT Productions
Written by: Nicholas Spagnoletti, in collaboration with the director and cast
Directed by: Lara Bye
Venue: The Fugard Theatre
Dates: 20 April to 8 May 2010
Cast: Robyn Scott and Ntomboxolo Makhutshi
Set, props and costume design by Craig Leo
Lighting Design by Faheem Bardien
Original Sound by Braam Du Toit

Due to the final week of London Road selling out, we’ve added an extra performance on Sunday 11th April at 19h30. Please call the Kalk Bay Theatre on 0732205430 to book now.