RedFest 2017 is being recognised as a truly comprehensive and top-drawer platform for the arts. Anticipation is rising as the festival approaches and the school grounds promise to be a wonder of sights, tastes and activities. Festival Director, Matthew Counihan has exceeded all expectations in the sheer reach and scope of the festival theatre lineup.

A celebrated performer in his own right, Counihan has curated an absolute feast of theatre for the RedFest weekend. The full program is available here and is a smorgasbord of delight, with a great diversity of shows, directors and cast members. Helen of Troyeville, HOOT and Man Up will all be performed, alongside such other must-sees as Hero and Blood Orange, both starring the inimitable Craig Morris.

An award-winning South African performer, Morris will return fresh from the Amsterdam Fringe Festival taking place mid-September to wow audiences at RedFest. Regaling in Hero, directed by Andrew Buckland, Morris demonstrates perfect comedic timing as he flits brilliantly from one scenario to another, keeping the audience thoroughly entertained. Extremely talented and with a diverse skill set, he further engages audiences in Blood Orange, in which Greig Coetzee directs Morris in a production described as a “zany Catcher in the Rye.”

For sterling South African theatre, returning from recent performances at the Edinburgh Festival, the multiple award-winning star of stage and screen Mncedisi Shabangu directs and stars in Vuka Machel, a production receiving rave reviews for its creative premise and wonderfully entertaining construct.

Our younger audiences will receive special attention this year, as Counihan has ensured that the lineup caters for children from as young as three years of age and upwards. A treasure in the lineup for youngsters would have to be the excellently enacted Khokho’s Treasure. Directed by Francois Theron, the acclaimed National Children’s Theatre performs this wonderful tale. The NCT has toured extensively, features polished performances from a great cast and will delight in this heart-warming production.

The multiple award-winning Kate Normington regales at RedFest 2017 too, and a feast of entertainment awaits from this high-profile performer. Having performed for many years and in many locales all over the world, notable among those venues being London’s West End, Normington is a magical presence in the international world of theatre and shows just what it means to be a true star in Parlour Songs this year. Not to be outdone, Germandt Geldenhuys, whom South Africa will recognise as Louis from the TV show Binnelanders, is also wowing the audience from onstage at Parlour Songs this RedFest.

It seems fitting that RedFest 2017 marks the launch of Redhill Innovate, an initiative established in early 2017 to bridge the gap between the formal education system and the global world beyond school. Redhill School’s heritage of remaining relevant and at the forefront of education for over a century is perfectly encapsulated in this formalised approach to the future, an approach of which RedFest 2017 is a big slice of fanfare and entertainment.

Join us for fun and festivities for the whole family

From Saturday 23 - 25 September this year, the school grounds will bring together all that is best of a traditional, family marketplace feel, polished performances across a host of disciplines, as well as a simply great time out for all and sundry. Kicking off with the Red Tie cocktail reception on the evening of the 23 September, a well-rehearsed and consistently embraced weekend of delight will follow, ending on Monday 25 September.

With ample parking and all amenities available, RedFest 2017 promises to take a great initiative to new heights and provide premier entertainment for all comers. For more information go to www.redhillinnovate.co.za 

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About Redhill School

Recognised as a premier education facility for over a century, Redhill School is once again poised to distinguish itself with the Redhill Innovate initiative, encapsulated by the second annual RedFest, a feast of performing arts presented by students and performing partners.

Capitalising on its traditionally heavy lean towards exemplary, rounded education, this year’s RedFest will see some sterling productions from students and professional artists, while also no doubt offering talent scouts an opportunity to mark up and coming stars of the stage & screen. RedFest is key to building the Redhill Innovate concept, as it not only offers the value and sheer joy of the performing arts, but also goes towards preparing students for the world that awaits them. Developing an appreciation of arts and culture, as well as their practise and presentation, is seen as an essential component of the Redhill ethos and sponsors, participants and the public at large are set for a treat as RedFest looms