Picking winners at arts fest

[caption id="attachment_39307" align="alignright" width="405"] CARGO PRECIOUS: It explores the travels and travails of Sara Baartman[/caption]

IN a National Arts Festival with more than 3000 performances – 400 shows and exhibitions on the Fringe alone – what do you see and what do you miss when you visit Grahamstown?

I have walked out of shows that I thought were rubbish, so to save you from the same fate here are 10 potential winners.

• There is a big, fat juicy jazz programme this year but book your tickets now to Lira in Concert as with only one performance I am pretty sure it will be a full house (Friday July 11). Ditto for Hugh Masekela next Saturday night, July 12. The price (R120-R130) is due not only to the star performer, but also the plush venue and comfy seats of the Guy Butler Theatre at the Monument.

• Albert Frost and Dan Patlansky's blues guitar duo show next Friday night is also one for music lovers. If you miss them together, they also will be in solo action on the Fringe. You also can rock with Arno Carstens and Francois van Coke on Thursday July 10 (both duos will be at the Monument, R65-R75).

• Three Little Pigs: this political comedy premiered last year. Now polished by performance, it will be searingly good.

• Fishers of Hope: Lara Foot's magical realism style of theatre is thoroughly engaging. Fishers is only on until Saturday.

• Festival art is always a mixed bag, and there really is too much to see in only a weekend. Take a chance not only on the main programme but also the Fringe – entrance is free and many venues are in walking distance of each other.

The street theatre is also "free" and I do not want to miss Herbert's Dream tomorrow evening on the Drostdy Lawns, as, festival chief executive Tony Lankester has heard it is as good as last year's enchanting Afternoon of a Foehn. It repeats on Saturday at 6pm.

• The ballet – A Midsummer Night's Dream  – will, of course, be beautiful, but try Cargo: Precious  on the dance programme, which explores the travels and travails of Saartjie Baartman. This is a fascinating collaboration between Young Artist Award winners Sylvaine Strike (drama), Concord Nkabinde (jazz), PJ Sabbagha, and Fana Tshabalala (both dance). It runs from Tuesday to Thursday next week.

Catch anything involving Strike: her work truly is exceptional.

• Similarly, comedy fans should look out for anything with Rob van Vuuren, as this hard-working and super-inventive Rhodes graduate has talent in spades. Not always suitable for the kids.

• Families often moan shows are filled with sex or swearing at the festival. In that case, try Lake,  directed by Daniel Buckland (different times, every day, R50-R60). You'll need deeper pockets for Raiders: The Great War (10am every day, R60 to R100), but these Theatre for Africa comedies are always fun – just watch out for audience participation.

• I am looking forward to Mike van Graan's new play, Return of the Ancestors, which opens tomorrow. What would it be like if Steve Biko and Neil Agget returned in 2014?

Another Van Graan play, Rainbow Scars, echoes the same theme of 20 years of democracy, and looks promising. Both run until July 12, with tickets R40-R60, but the first performances are free.

Another politically themed show is one I've seen before and can recommend (it moved me to tears). It is Ubu and the Truth Commission, from the Handspring Puppet Company, revived for the 40th anniversary festival.

• Popular shows often return because they are so good: An Audience with Miss Hobhouse, for example, was a Fringe drama hit last year, and I heard good things about The Snow Goose and The Epicene Butcher. On the dance programme, try Bittersweet.

With close to 20 magic yet icy festivals behind me, I scour the programme for weeks in advance and discard what look like duds right, left and centre. No one wants a ticket to something you hate but, if you don't move out of your comfort zone, you never will encounter a sparkling production or piece of art.

• Keep an eye on The Herald and Weekend Post for festival news. - Gillian McAinsh