New Cape Town Fringe journey pays off

Organisers of the fourth Cape Town Fringe, held over eighteen days in September and October, are reportedly “delighted” with the success of this year’s event, which was marked by ‘new beginnings that auger well for the future’, according to the Fringe’s Executive Producer, Ashraf Johaardien. “We went in some new directions this year with a conscious move to increase access to the Festival, and to broaden its impact,” he said.

 

“Disruption is never the easy route. We wanted to shake things up and navigate new pathways for the theatre community in Cape Town. It meant that there were many learning curves and this is really just the beginning of a new journey for us and the wider industry.”

 

The Cape Town Fringe was previously housed at the Cape Town City Hall with some satellite partners elsewhere in the city. This year saw the event expand to include venues in Khayelitsha, Philippi, Delft, Nyanga, Observatory, Rondebosch and Retreat, while keeping a scaled-down presence in the Central City.

 

“The evolution just made sense,” says Cape Town Fringe CEO Tony Lankester, “We wanted to travel to the hearts of our communities and audiences, giving them the opportunity to experience the Fringe in their own neighbourhood.”

 

The new decentralised model had some drawbacks, according to Johaardien, and some lessons learned for next year. “We need to work on how we will retain that Festival feeling across a decentralized model and how we will market to a very broad sector of audiences across the Metropole with a limited budget.” Johaardien pointed out that the Festival’s venue partners had been integral in marketing the Festival as they knew their market best, and working more closely with the venues on both programming and marketing would ensure success in years to come. “The Festival may have seen a retreat in ticket sales to 2015 levels, but access to our various events was far greater than before. There were more important rewards and recognition for the performing arts community and we are going to build on this positive foundation.”

 

The Cape Town Fringe was spread across thirteen venues in ten locations.

 

Khayelitsha venue, Makukanye Art Room hosted 21 productions during the Cape Town Fringe and saw good audiences at most events.

Says Makukhanye Art Room Artistic Director and Producer, Mandisi Sindo, "2017 was the rebirth of the Cape Town Fringe Festival, an example of what the festival was supposed to be from its inception and conceptualization. I think the Festival organisers took progressive steps, tapping into townships or disadvantaged communities to showcase and bring forth the talent that is booming and this will make the festival grow to become a national inclusive festival. I am looking forward to seeing many changes and growth in the next festival.”

When asked how he saw the event evolving in years to come, Sindo suggested that more attention needed to be paid to artist remuneration: “Artists should become a priority and not rely on door takings but get commission or paid for services rendered. There is no festival without these artists, so let’s make a plan for them to be happier."

 

Cape Town Fringe worked with Alma Café in Rondebosch to create a venue dedicated to live music.

Says Alma Café co-owners Richard and Retha Tait, “It was a very rewarding experience to be part of a ‘global’ Cape Town event. We do believe that our city is at the forefront of true multi-cultural and diverse live arts and entertainment. 

A great advantage for us was exposure for the venue – predominantly new patrons attended and expressed interest. The courageous effort by the Cape Town Fringe, City of Cape Town and all the sponsors was admirable."

 

Caroline Calburn, owner of the Observatory venue Theatre Arts Admin Collective also commented, “With the new emphasis on the development of independent theatres and a shift on supporting artists rather than constricting them financially, I was delighted to be part of the Cape Town Fringe. The work that the Cape Town Fringe did in turning the Theatre Arts Admin Collective into a beautiful theatre after years of struggling and scrounging was overwhelmingly emotional for me. And that it remains a beautiful theatre for use by all artists in Cape Town throughout the year is a total gift. I loved being part of a circuit of independent theatres and already we are working at trying to build on and utilise this circuit to support artists and develop and grow audiences. If the City of Cape Town continues to support this festival for the next three years, the achievements will be HUGE - for communities, for artists and for the emotional state of our city.”

 

Speaking at the Cape Town Fringe’s Fringe Fresh Awards ceremony on 8 October, Cllr JP Smith. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety, Security and Events, pledged the City of Cape Town’s ongoing support for the Festival.

 

ENDS

 

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ABOUT THE CAPE TOWN FRINGE

The Cape Town Fringe is managed by the National Arts Festival. The City of Cape Town is the Host Sponsor of the Cape Town Fringe, while Standard Bank is the Presenting Sponsor of the event.

 

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About Cape Town Fringe

About the Cape Town Fringe

Now in its fourth year, the Cape Town Fringe (CT Fringe) will take place across the Mother City from 21 September to 8 October 2017. A live multi-arts festival and an annual celebration of local and international creativity, the CT Fringe encourages experimentation, collaboration and innovation. In 2017 the CT Fringe will be extending its footprint into a Fringe Circuit, which will see the CT Fringe bring exciting work closer to many of the city’s neighbourhoods. The CT Fringe acknowledges the generous support of the City of Cape Town and Standard Bank.