The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown finished earlier this month and we highlight five of the best shows that gained praise. Do tell us about any shows you saw and what you thought of them:

1. Seashells. This one-woman play starring Anthea Thompson, directed by Fred Abrahams was nominated for the Fleur du Cape Award for Best Performance in a One Person Play. Thompson plays identical twins and reviewer Bauke on the National Arts Festival artblog says, “Not only did she do a fantastic job in creating the identical twins, she authentically experiences feelings on the complete opposites of the emotional scale….”

2. London Road. Winner of the 2010 Standard Bank Golden Ovation Award for Theatre, and 3 Fleur du Cap awards, London Road is the story of a relationship between two unlikely people; a Nigerian woman and a Jewish granny. Reviewer Qondiswa James on the artsblog says, “Everything from the script (funny and heartbreaking), the actors, the simplicity of a table and two chairs, has been carefully chosen and woven to create a beautiful piece of theatre.”

3. Through Blue. This deeply moving tragicomedy inspired this review by Sarah Robertson on the Arts Festival blog, “The cast of seven led by the masterful Andrew Buckland, doesn’t skip a beat in their flawless performances. They are hilarious. …. Through Blue will take you on a journey that you just can’t miss.”

4. Afternoon of a Foehn. “The best piece of dance I’ve seen since forever, and it’s with plastic packets!” stated Richard Antrobus. When word got out how good this was, it soon sold out. Reviewer Kei-Ella Loewe headed her blog piece ‘Pirouetting Plastic: Fantastic’ and continued: “All these plastic dancers are brought to life (literarily and figuratively) by both the ringmaster, who resembles a Buddhist Prospero, and the technical team who master over the performance, controlling and manipulating a world of unpredictability and spontaneity.”

5. Rob van Vuuren – Live! Back by popular demand, this Standard Bank Ovation Award-winning show was a smash hit in 2011 and proved to be again this year. This much loved comic gives an hilarious and personal insight into his ridiculous life. Funny, beautiful, bizarre, and as reviewer Jane Stone says, “So screamingly funny you’ll scream with laughter out loud. Personal and graphic, van Vuuren pushes the boat out so far you’ll take off.”