The annual Hilton Arts Festival in KwaZulu-Natal is a firm favourite for theatre and festival lovers and 2025 is going to be no different, with a diverse and exciting line-up set to impress and amaze all those in attendance.
For those putting their theatre viewing schedules together and perhaps having limited time, there are two MUST-SEE shows that you DO NOT WANT TO MISS.
Here are my two recommendations for you.
Paul Slabolepszy’s BITTER WINTER to warm hearts at Hilton Arts Festival
A new South African play paying poignant tribute to theatre, resilience, and the human spirit
After a triumphant Johannesburg debut and a critically acclaimed season in Cape Town, Bitter Winter, the powerful new play by South African theatre icon Paul Slabolepszy, is set to take centre stage at the Hilton Arts Festival from 8 to 10 August 2025 at The Theatre.
Hailed as “profound,” “moving,” and “a red-letter moment in South African theatre,” audiences at Hilton can expect a deeply affecting theatrical experience that speaks to anyone who has loved, lost, or dared to dream.
Produced by Weslee Lauder and directed by Lesedi Job, Bitter Winter follows Jean-Louis Lourens (André Odendaal), a classically trained actor in his twilight years, waiting nervously at an audition for a gritty Western being filmed in the Karoo.
He’s joined by Prosper Mangane (Oarabile Ditsele), a rising TV and film star whose charm and youthful confidence mask a deep sense of pressure and expectation.
Facilitated by no-nonsense casting director Felicia Willemse (Chantal Stanfield), the play becomes a powerful dialogue between generations – a meditation on purpose, relevance, race, legacy, and the vulnerability that comes with being an artist.
As they wait for the hot-shot American director to arrive, Prosper and Jean-Louis discover unexpected common ground, sharing painful truths and theatrical war stories that transcend age, culture, and ego.
Some Reviews:
“Beautiful and poignant… a lament, a howl at how thespians battle financially – particularly when they are older… engrossing theatre.”– The Cape Robyn
“Sweeps you along… it captures the magnetism of live theatre, how it cherishes the soul… clever script… a joy to behold.” – De Beer Necessities
“A celebration of what connects them… a humbling show… wisdom distilled into something warm and tender, funny and entertaining.” – Mail & Guardian.
“Brutal… tender, heartfelt production… each moment and line superfluous.” – Eat Play Drink
“…performances… completely impeccable and three‑dimensional…, Unequivocally, it is the play of the year!” – Robyn Sassen, My View
“The cruelty… of a competitive industry… desperate pathos in the script… many reasons to be grateful it debuted.” – Bruce Dennill
BITTER WINTER
📍 The Theatre, Hilton Arts Festival
📅 9 August @12h30 / 10 August @ 10h00
🎟️ Tickets via Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1571734246
⏱️ 80 minutes, no interval | Age Restriction: PG10
🗣️ Language: approx. 70% English, 20% Afrikaans, 10% Sotho
View the promotional video: https://youtu.be/aYrZG38asvE?si=wgy2dyrK32InocnE
Award-winning ACTRESS heads to Hilton Arts Festival
Written by Bruce Dennill and Talia Kodesh with original music & lyrics by Bruce Dennill, Actress is a musical dramedy; the funny, moving story of a woman trying to define (and succeed in) her different roles – actress, wife, mother, daughter, teacher, and more – while juggling the complexities of all of those responsibilities.
The story takes place in New York and South Africa, following ‘Actress’ on her journey through stress and success, anger and auditions, triumph and tears, dance and delirium and, perhaps, the possibility of peace. There is also assistance and emotional support from an unexpected source…
Following a highly successful debut season in Johannesburg at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre followed by performances at REDFest, the musical has already garnered two coveted theatre industry awards: the piece won Best New Musical or Play from Broadway World South Africa and Talia Kodeshreceived the Naledi Theatre Award for Best Female Lead Performance in a Musical.
It’s a tale that anyone who has ever had to adjust to new expectations in all walks of life – their own or someone else’s – will relate to.
Plus showtunes! Pack your dancing shoes, your Theraband, your passport and your tissues.
Bruce Dennill states; “We had such a wonderful response to ‘Actress’ at its Johannesburg runs at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre and the Redhill Arts Festival, so we are incredibly excited to stage the show again for a completely new audience, and at an event as highly regarded as the Hilton Arts Festival.”
ACTRESS
Chamberlain Recital Hall, Hilton Arts Festival 2025
SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Friday 8 August, 16h00
Saturday 9 August, 16h00
Sunday 10 August, 14h00
TICKETS:
Tickets: R190
Book now at Webtickets and the Hilton Arts Festival website
Direct Link: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1571739895
PROMO VIDEO:
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXxJoQYdWbg&t=1s
