The October International Theatre Festival is building towards its first edition with a growing programme that brings together theatre, music, creative workshops and public performances in Mbabane.
The festival, which was launched at the Eswatini Theatre Club earlier this month, has now announced a selection of artists and productions set to feature during the festival.
The line-up includes M Nation, Siphiwo Ndoni, Lisothe Musician, DJ GeesPeezy and Umlazi Gospel Choir, alongside King Getshwayo the Musical, written and directed by Jerry Pope.
The programme adds to the festival’s Southern African focus, with artists and creatives from across the region coming together for a programme centred on performing and creative arts.
Among the featured productions is King Getshwayo the Musical, which will be presented under the direction of Pope, adding a theatrical production to a programme that also includes live music performances.
The combination reflects the festival’s broader approach to bringing different creative disciplines together rather than limiting the programme to conventional stage productions.
The festival is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 3, with activities spread across several parts of the programme.
One of the key dates will be October 3, when the festival’s street component takes place along DzeliweStreet, formerly known as Johnson Street.
The Dzeliwe Street Festival is designed to move some of the festival activity into the city, creating a public space for performances and other creative activities. It forms part of the organisers’ wider programme to connect theatre and the arts with audiences outside traditional performance venues.
The festival is also placing attention on young creatives through its Schools Festival, scheduled for September 30. The programme is aimed at giving school-going performers and writers an opportunity to participate in theatre, creative writing and acting activities.
The Schools Festival programme encourages young people to watch, create and perform, with the organisers positioning it as a platform for students to engage with live theatre and other creative disciplines.
Alongside the performances, the festival has been running a series of skills-development workshops. Registrations for the Theatre, Creative Writing and Acting Skills workshops have closed, while registrations for Children’s Theatre and Directing workshops have also closed.
The workshops form part of the festival’s educational component and are intended to give participants practical exposure to different areas of the performing arts.
The growing programme follows the festival’s launch, where organisers outlined an event that would bring together theatre practitioners, musicians, artists and other creatives from Eswatini and the wider region.
The latest artist announcements give audiences a clearer picture of what to expect as the festival approaches.
With music, theatre, school programming and the street festival forming different parts of the programme, the event is set to use several platforms across Mbabane rather than rely on one performance space.
The announcement of artists including M Nation, Siphiwo Ndoni, Liso the Musician, DJ GeesPeezy and Umlazi Gospel Choir also strengthens the festival’s music offering, while King Getshwayo the Musical anchors its theatre programme.
With workshop registrations now closed and the performance line-up taking shape, attention is turning to the festival dates and ticketed performances.
The October International Theatre Festival will culminate with the Dzeliwe Street Festival on October 3, bringing the programme into the city and closing several days of theatre, music, learning and creative exchange.
