Drama lovers can look forward to Nicola Hanekom’s third site-specific production, Babbel, about the aftermath of a revolution where language disintegrates, resulting in chaos. Hanekom’s award-winning team, including Tinarie van Wyk Loots, Brendon Daniels, Stian Bam, Bronwyn van Graan, Jacques Theron, Neels van Jaarsveld, Charisma Baday and Lerato Motshwarakgole star in this compelling piece of visual theatre, performed on a hilltop in Oudtshoorn. Hanekom’s previous dramas, Betésda in 2010 and Lot in 2011, were crowned with a combined total of six Kanna and two Fiësta Awards.

Another breathtaking open air production, Vlam, presented by the Namjive dance company from Okiep, combines dance theatre with visual effects, dramatised myths, music, sculptures, giant puppets and, indeed, flames under the Klein Karoo stars. Local residents from Oudtshoorn are also involved in this project to develop the stories and to assist with the making of the puppets.

In Bos, written by Malan Steyn and under direction of Marthinus Basson, the talents of young actors that participated in the City of Cape Town Acting Competition, are exposed to a wider festival audience. This nail biting production, with Stian Bam as the lead actor, is about ten teenagers at a survival camp in a forest, where ghosts, hormones, peer pressure and bugs ensure a nerve wrenching experience.

Sam Shepard’s award-winning Buried Child, translated by Saartjie Botha, is seen in Afrikaans for the first time as Doodsnikke. This piece, developed in collaboration with the Baxter theatre, will feature some of South Africa’s most sought after actors, including Anna-Mart van der Merwe, Gys de Villiers, Oscar Petersen, Ivan Abrahams, Travis Snyders and Thenjiwe Stemela. Janice Honeyman is the director of this drama, which unfolds on a farm where a once ideal family is now desperate to hide an unthinkable secret.

Another highlight on the festival programme is Die vrou vantevore, starring among others Brümilda van Rensburg. In this piece, originally written by German dramatist, Roland Schimmelpfennig, translated and directed by Marthinus Basson, the life of a married couple is overthrown when a woman knocks on their door. She arrives to remind the husband about a promise he made – to love her forever – twenty-four years ago. What follows is a fiery story filled with humour and twists in the tale that eventually turns into a full-blooded tragedy.

Besides PG du Plessis’s classic farce, ’n Seder val in Waterkloof, a brand new production from his pen will première at the Absa KKNK, in collaboration with Clover Aardklop. Alexa Strachan is the producer and André Odendaal the director of Teerling, with cast members Marcel van Heerden and Milan Murray. In Teerling the audience will have the opportunity to determine the fate of various characters – from a timid social worker, an ingenious prostitute, and a wealthy businessman, to a serial killer and a nurse with a cash flow problem.

Festivalgoers can also look forward to Deurbraak – a new festival venue where the work of upcoming artists will be seen. Kaptein Blitz en die Superheroes, Liewe Heksie and Lollos! are a few characters that will ensure a lot of entertainment for all the youngsters visiting the festival. Furthermore there will be music productions for every taste, lifestyle experiences for the whole family and the Rivierbuurt with top quality music, food, the Absa Arts Market and various other stalls.

Although the Absa KKNK remains the première South African festival for theatre and music in Afrikaans, our programme offers much theatre, music, dance and visual arts that is accessible to a wider audience.

Festival goers can look forward to the following offerings this year:

• Karoo Krioel - Karoo Krioel takes Festival goers to some of the most beautiful places in and around Oudtshoorn. Come experience the music and stories of the beautiful Klein Karoo, with snacks at every stop.

• Belgiese sjokolade in pas met wyn - A decadent journey with Belgian chocolate and wine by local chocolatier, Marita Lamprecht and Cape winemaker, Junel Vermeulen.

• Brood en jam vir die siel - Music combined with farm bread, jam and honey. A fascinating Karoo experience with haystacks as chairs and a wagon as stage.

• Olifantontbyt - Come enjoy a delicious fresh Karoo breakfast with the three big ears, Malaika, Bolelo and Jabari.

• Kom kuier saam en kook in jou taal - Join artists including Lize Beekman, Elvis Blue, Jak de Priester, Danie Niehaus and Anna Davel. Four personalities are invited and given a basket with products, that they must use to turn into a meal. Wine, olives, cheese and ostrich meat are sold. A kids corner is supplied as playing area for the children.

• Peusel en proe - Calitzdorp meets Oudtshoorn and Portugal in an festival of tastes. The focus here is on port and ostrich meat, combined with Portugese entertainment. Wines and port are tasted, combined with in-between

• Piekniek op stel van nuwe Suid-Afrikaanse fliek - Meet the stars of the latest South African movie, Swartberg. Your ticket includes a picnic basket and a blanket.

• Proe die beste uit Afrika - The proudly South African Pinotage wines, combined with the best food from Africa, makes for an unforgettable experience.

• Rugby en Wyn - Live rugby broadcasts with entertainment by artists including Wicus van der Merwe, Jakkie Louw, Zak van Niekerk and Daniel Hoffman.

• Wynproe (photo: Absa KKNK Wine & Dine attached) - Wine, olives, cheese and ostrich meat, all in the Absa Wynsaal.

For the more active Festival goers, there is also a Volstruiswedloop (race) on Saturday, 31 March 2012 at 07:00 which offers a 21.1km and 10km run.

The various stalls of the Absa Arts Market (photo: Absa KKNK Art Stalls attached) will also provide wonderful handmade gifts and souvenirs, complimented by a wide offering of food stalls.  

More information will be available on our website (www.absakknk.co.za) from 19 January 2012. Ticket sales open on Friday, 27 January 2012 at Computicket.