Joanne Hayes discusses the Hilton Arts Festival
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It is the largest festival in KZN and one of the leading festivals in SA. This year’s event will be take place five weeks earlier than usual, which organisers hope will result in better weather.
“Our aim is to bring the pick of SA theatre to KZN over the weekend,” says artistic director, Sue Clarence. “It isn’t simply a drama festival; there are dollops of comedy, music of several different genres, an extensive fine art exhibition, exciting arts related workshops, fun activities for kids, upmarket craft and a collection of classic cars - from a vintage Rolls Royce to modern Ferraris. There is live music, street theatre and a wide variety of food on sale. Naturally, there is a beer tent as well!”
Lovers of theatre must make sure to book for Hansard, starring Fiona Ramsay and Graham Hopkins, which according to one reviewer “is the best piece of theatre to be seen in a decade.” Neil Coppen’s Isidlamlilo has been lauded as a masterpiece of new SA writing and tells a vitally important story of SA today. It goes on a tour of Europe immediately after Hilton. The comedy line-up is headed by Marc Lottering (So I Wrote This Musical), Darren Maule’s stand-up show Mauling Glory, Mamba – Proudly SA. with John van de Ruit and Ben Voss, and the irrepressible Macbob duo, Aaron and Lisa McIlroy.
The music component of the Festival has been expanded due to the stunning new facilities at the school. People can grab the opportunity to Be A Pop Star and have the experience of recording their own voice or they can Lay Down a Beat, working with cutting edge software to create music. Schools from all over KZN will take part in a wide variety of street theatre, making maximum use of the beautiful grounds of the gracious host, Hilton College.
Ticketed music shows offer a wide variety of choice: from the musical 5 Guys Named Moe and a selection of musical revue. From The Wanderer, by leading KZN pianist Dr Andrew Warburton, Songs of the Reeds, a voice and oboe recital and a programme of song featuring up and coming soprano, Nozuko Teto.
Wela Kapela who brought the hit show Vincent last year, return with Next!!! and Damsel in Distress and Durban singer Marion Loudon brings Crocodile Rock. That’s Life, with Midlands favourite Erin Fourie, includes a wide variety of song from Sinatra to Beyonce and Adele, to Ella, Etta and Amy Winehouse, with a bit of Ed Sheeran for good measure. Digby & The Lullaby and We Can Get There from Here see a return of Festival favourites, Darren Peens and Michael Broderick, both weaving a tapestry of spoken word and music. The Chelsea Hotel celebrates folk music.
The international birding company, Rockjumper’s exhibition, lectures, guided walks and drives on the estate offer an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent Midlands and Ed Schroder will speak on another KZN jewel, through his photographic book on Nguni cattle.
Three films, SA-made It Has to do with Emila and the Best of 48 Hour Film 2022, will be screened and The 48 hour group will also make a movie at the Festival over the weekend. KZN’s Greig Coetzee (White Men With Weapons and Johnny Boskak) has given permission for the movie he made during lockdown in London, The Water Rats, to enjoy its African premiere at the 2023 Hilton Arts Festival.
And for the very first time ….. Classic Car enthusiasts take note... Retro Rides Revival is coming. Get ready to rev your engines and take a trip down memory lane as this extravaganza on wheels motors into town. Come and see retro models of the 1920s to the muscle cars of the 1960s and beyond. Attendees can expect to see beautifully restored vehicles and rare models from some of the world's most renowned manufacturers.
Entrance for the weekend is a once-off cost of R 100, valid for three days. Bookings open on 10 July via Webtickets
See the full programme on www.hiltonfestival.co.za
“Our aim is to bring the pick of SA theatre to KZN over the weekend,” says artistic director, Sue Clarence. “It isn’t simply a drama festival; there are dollops of comedy, music of several different genres, an extensive fine art exhibition, exciting arts related workshops, fun activities for kids, upmarket craft and a collection of classic cars - from a vintage Rolls Royce to modern Ferraris. There is live music, street theatre and a wide variety of food on sale. Naturally, there is a beer tent as well!”
Lovers of theatre must make sure to book for Hansard, starring Fiona Ramsay and Graham Hopkins, which according to one reviewer “is the best piece of theatre to be seen in a decade.” Neil Coppen’s Isidlamlilo has been lauded as a masterpiece of new SA writing and tells a vitally important story of SA today. It goes on a tour of Europe immediately after Hilton. The comedy line-up is headed by Marc Lottering (So I Wrote This Musical), Darren Maule’s stand-up show Mauling Glory, Mamba – Proudly SA. with John van de Ruit and Ben Voss, and the irrepressible Macbob duo, Aaron and Lisa McIlroy.
The music component of the Festival has been expanded due to the stunning new facilities at the school. People can grab the opportunity to Be A Pop Star and have the experience of recording their own voice or they can Lay Down a Beat, working with cutting edge software to create music. Schools from all over KZN will take part in a wide variety of street theatre, making maximum use of the beautiful grounds of the gracious host, Hilton College.
Ticketed music shows offer a wide variety of choice: from the musical 5 Guys Named Moe and a selection of musical revue. From The Wanderer, by leading KZN pianist Dr Andrew Warburton, Songs of the Reeds, a voice and oboe recital and a programme of song featuring up and coming soprano, Nozuko Teto.
Wela Kapela who brought the hit show Vincent last year, return with Next!!! and Damsel in Distress and Durban singer Marion Loudon brings Crocodile Rock. That’s Life, with Midlands favourite Erin Fourie, includes a wide variety of song from Sinatra to Beyonce and Adele, to Ella, Etta and Amy Winehouse, with a bit of Ed Sheeran for good measure. Digby & The Lullaby and We Can Get There from Here see a return of Festival favourites, Darren Peens and Michael Broderick, both weaving a tapestry of spoken word and music. The Chelsea Hotel celebrates folk music.
The international birding company, Rockjumper’s exhibition, lectures, guided walks and drives on the estate offer an opportunity to enjoy the magnificent Midlands and Ed Schroder will speak on another KZN jewel, through his photographic book on Nguni cattle.
Three films, SA-made It Has to do with Emila and the Best of 48 Hour Film 2022, will be screened and The 48 hour group will also make a movie at the Festival over the weekend. KZN’s Greig Coetzee (White Men With Weapons and Johnny Boskak) has given permission for the movie he made during lockdown in London, The Water Rats, to enjoy its African premiere at the 2023 Hilton Arts Festival.
And for the very first time ….. Classic Car enthusiasts take note... Retro Rides Revival is coming. Get ready to rev your engines and take a trip down memory lane as this extravaganza on wheels motors into town. Come and see retro models of the 1920s to the muscle cars of the 1960s and beyond. Attendees can expect to see beautifully restored vehicles and rare models from some of the world's most renowned manufacturers.
Entrance for the weekend is a once-off cost of R 100, valid for three days. Bookings open on 10 July via Webtickets
See the full programme on www.hiltonfestival.co.za
