Press: Evita se Perron in association with the Fugard Theatre presents the 2018 Voorkamerfest

Voorkamerfest Festival in Darling is back and set for the first weekend in spring! One of South Africa's most unique events, the Voorkamerfest, returns to the West Coast town of Darling after a two-year break from Friday 31 August to Sunday 2 September 2018, and is presented for the first time in association with the Fugard Theatre. The Voorkamerfest takes place during the first weekend of spring in one of the Western Cape's most beautiful regions in the quaint town of Darling that is also home to South Africa's Most Famous White Woman, Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout. The event, produced by Tasha Reid and co-produced by Antoinette van Heerden, was founded in 2004 by Inge Bos and Wim Visser, supported by founding sponsor Stichting Doen (NL) and with the help of Pieter-Dirk Uys and the residents of darling, and invaluable support from various businesses in Darling.

2018 marks the 13th festival, a vibrant multiple genre showcase of cross cultural theatre, music, dance and comedy, performed by South African and international artists. In previous years, the Voorkamerfest has hosted performers from the UK, Holland, Belgium, France, Surinam, India, Zimbabwe, Angola, Algeria, Canada, and Switzerland. This year, audiences can look forward to performances by several talented companies, ensembles and individuals, such as Jazzart, Nylon Dance Company, Jitsvinger and The Buckfever Underground.

What sets this festival apart is that audiences don't know exactly which shows they'll be seeing until they are seated in the front rooms (voorkamers) of homes spread throughout the community. There are seven colour-coded routes from which to choose, each offering three shows in three houses. Minibus taxis ferry patrons from Evita se Perron to venues that range from grand old Cape Dutch manors to RDP houses, where local hosts receive visitors a warm Darling welcome.

Evita se Perron forms the festival hub with a daily outdoor market co-ordinated by I love Yzer, offering local crafts and fare. An open air concert in Darling East brings the festival to a fitting close on the final day and is free for all.

1 weekend, 21 shows, 60 performers - this is an event not to be missed.

Tickets are now on sale and advance booking is essential. Routes are scheduled for 5pm on Friday, 12pm and 5pm on Saturday and 12pm on Sunday. Tickets can be pre-booked and collected at the box office in the Evita se Perron piazza area and guests are advised to arrive an hour before taxis depart for the shows. Tickets cost R200pp on Friday and R250pp on Saturday and Sunday and are available through Quicket via www.voorkaamerfest-darling.co.za, bookings@voorkamerfest-darling.co.za and 079 190 3218.

R5 from each ticket sold will be donated to The Darling Trust NGO (www.thedarlingtrust.org).