All posts by Claire

About Claire

Wandering (and wondering) development professional and aspiring aid worker. Contact me on anticipationofwonder[at]gmail[dot]com

Fest 3 – comedy, comedy, music, music

Raiders – If you’ve never been to Raiders, it’s really difficult to explain; if you have been, you know how awesome it always is. Missed Luke Ellenbogen in this one but still marvellous.

Race Card – Siv Ngesi knows his audience and he is pulling some big crowds – the ushers were brining in extra chairs. Well played.

Afternoon concert, Louis Armstrong and Friends – otherwise great concert ruined for me by an usher manhandling me out of the way as I tried to go into the venue and then a dull, uninspiring female soloist trying to sing one of my favourites, “I dreamed a dream”

John Ellis – Go see it. Really good show, in spite of small audience. Guitar, lyrics, politics, fun.

Fest 2 – plastic bags, music, music, comedy

Afternoon of a Foehn – Fascinating piece performed with wind and plastic bags so life-like the audience couldn’t help but be enchanted

Gala concert – Excellent afternoon of music. Great performances from soloists, particularly Young Artist for Music, soprano Kelebogile Boikanyo.

Ping, sign and sting – Not always a school choir fan but this one pulled it off and CH2 were fascinating for their guitarwork. Interesting to see a guitar performance as part of a big show like this. Possibly more fun. Only crit would be: not entirely convinced by the staging that had the soprano section along the sides next to the audience – it was tough to catch the words of the other parts in some of the songs.

Money’s too tight to mention – SA’s comedians are growing up. Or at least using grown-up, real-life traumas to make funny shows. It works for Stuart Taylor in this piece.

Fest 1 – ballet, comedy, physical theatre

I can feel myself relaxing. Being in the moment, 100%, completely. Joy piled upon joy. I’ve heard many conversations about work-life balance in the last little while. This – this week of wonder – is my work-life balance.

Saturday’s shows

Hats: pure delight. Hats takes you on a magical journey like no other show at Fest. Elegant. Detailed. The kind of performance that pulls you in and carries away. I don’t understand why there are people at Fest who aren’t lining up to see it.

Three Little Pigs: Intense. Excellently played. Funny. Pointed. You want to go back because you’re sure there are bits you missed.

Brent Palmer Live: Last minute change from the advertised show Bench. Good, hearty laughs and South African commentary.

Giselle: Beautiful. Choreography showcasing the considerable talent and skill of Kim Vieira as Giselle excellently, while still allowing space for the rest of the cast to shine. A visual feast. Also more emotional, more story-telling than some of the ballets in the last few years. Another delight.