Productions on the Main of the festival, from abroad, throughout South Africa and around Durban, will have two performances each – either at the Kwasuka Cutting Edge Theatre or the Catalina Theatre.

There are three international productions: from the Acco Theater Center in Israel comes Arabs Dream - a surprising theatrical journey, a poignant examination of Israeli society through an examination of the identity of the Israeli Jew and Israeli Arab. From the Dam Company of Physical Theatre in Amsterdam Holland comes Episode Latte - inspired by Jose Saramago’s “Blindness” (1999, First Harvest Books) Here, an epidemic of blindness brings out the beast in the people. The Mugachi Cultural Association, in Maputo Mozambique presents Mind / Mentes which looks at the goings on inside the mind of ordinary Mozambiqueans who have lived through extraordinary times. 

National luminaries include Andrew Buckland who is bringing his new solo work: Voetsek! with typical humour and a unique performance style; Sanjin Muftic and performer Jason Potgieter tell the poignant story of refugee Petrovic Petar; Hero looks at success and superheroes and is performed by Craig Morris and directed by Andrew Buckland; My CV ‘one woman@work’ is a humorous and insightful look at what we’re supposed to be in the world written and performed by Mary Steward and directed by Emma Durden; The Tricky Part is an award-winning play by American actor / writer, Martin Moran.  It tells the story of a three-year abusive relationship Martin had with a camp counselor from the ages of 12 – 15 and of meeting the abuser 30 years later, performed by Peter Hayes.

Productions from in and around Durban include: Fred and Felix – a delightful story about friendship and fishing which is written and performed by Kobus van Heerden and directed by Liam Magner of The Neon Anthem fame;  Bombstyle, the final installment in the trilogy of lyrical theatre pieces created by Do What I Please Productions directed by Libby Allen, written and performed by Iain Ewok Robinson in collaboration with Liam Magner; Jakob is an engaging tale about a strange little boy called Jakob, and about love, light and everything reflected in between, based on a short story by lighting designer Michael Broderick who also directs, it was adapted for the stage by award winning actress / director Clare Mortimer and stars Bryan Hiles.

 Finally on the main festival – Frigid Foreplay – uses movement and text to create moving pictures. The piece is set in a small shack with an installation of suitcases and lights, and features Ntando Cele and Josette Eales created by Ntando Cele (on for one performance only). Shows on the Fringe of the festival which will have one performance only are: Reality Bytes which takes a comedic peek into the world of reality TV shows written and directed By Rowin Munsamy; Passing Through is a comedy drama which tells the stories of five women who work the night shift in the Marianhill Toll Plaza written by Tim Allen and Libby Allen; performed by Libby Allen; directed by Iain Ewok Robinson; Many Happy Returns is about the connection between an airhostess and an anxious passenger created and performed by Sean de Klerk and Danielle Perlman; Tycoon is about an old man, a one-time hardened gangster who was in jail for 50 years created and performed by Khaya Ngema; Msinsi / Home takes an amazing look at some of the local legends of the people of Lake Bhangazi performed by Bheki Kabela and Sduduzo Khawula and directed by  Bhekani Shabalala.

To book tickets to performances at either venue, call Thandeka at the Catalina on 031 305-6889. Full programme available at www.mushofestival.co.za. Tickets can be purchased online at www.strictlytickets.com or at www.goingplacessa.co.za / www.goingplacessa.com.

The festival is presented by PANSA in association with Africalia. PANSA is grateful for additional support from the Ethekwini Municipality, The Royal Netherlands Embassy, the Embassy of Israel, Tararam and the KZN Department of Arts and Culture.