Still Packing a Punch After 31 Years!
The annual Hilton Arts Festival will be held at Hilton College, just outside Pietermaritzburg, from 11 to 13 August 2023. Now in its 31st year, it is the largest festival in KZN and one of the leading festivals in SA. This year’s event will 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 the shows they want to see: Hansard, starring Fiona Ramsay and Graham Hopkins, which according to one reviewer “is the best piece of theatre to be seen in a decade”, along with other performances. The comedy line-up includes The Mambas with John van de Ruit and Ben Voss, the irrepressible Macbob duo, Aaron and Lisa McIlroy, and many more.
From Cape Town, Aldo Brincat brings The Moon Looks Delicious From Here, about a young immigrant boy growing up in the 60s and My Weight and Why I Carry It, a no-holds-barred look at the pertinent issue of body image. Brendon Peel, internationally renowned magician and winner of Britain’s Got Talent, jets in with two bags of illusion and mind-bending tricks – Impossible and Shenanigans of the Mind. For the younger set, there is everything from puppets (Peter & The Wolf and Stuppet Stories) to a tale of a child in search of its name (Adventure of Who).
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.
Ticketed music shows offer a wide variety of choices. That’s Life, with Midlands favourite Erin Fourie, includes a wide variety of songs from Sinatra, Beyonce and Adele to Ella, Etta and Amy Winehouse.
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.
SA-made films It Has to Do with Emila and the Best of 48 Hour Film 2022, will be screened. The 48-hour group will also make a movie at the festival over the weekend. KZN’s Greig Coetzee has given permission for the movie he made during the lockdown in London, The Water Rats, to enjoy its African premiere at the 2023 Hilton Arts Festival.
And for the very first time, Retro Rides Revival is coming! 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 R100, valid for three days.