The Hilton Arts Festival is no longer simply a drama festival. Now in its seventh successful year, this major cultural event held at Hilton College in the KZN Midlands takes on a new image

After the 1998 Festival, the organisers took serious stock of suggestions and criticisms and as a result will introduce several innovations among them being a new name. As the event has grown way beyond a showcase for South African drama, it will now be known as The Hilton Arts Festival. Taking place this year from September 17 to 19, it will offer top drama, music and dance productions from all over South Africa as well as a wide selection of KZN talent. Other attractions will be crafts, visual arts, artists in residence, a book fair, several arts' related workshops and a multi-media presentation of poetry, painting and music.

The technical backup of all the venues has been upgraded and the Hilton College Theatre now boasts a state of the art lighting system. All venues will be managed by a professional technician, assisted by a team of schoolboys, a move that will ensure all performances run to schedule. The advance booking system will be announced early in July. The programme schedule will be finalised early in August, with advance booking available before Computicket opens at the end of that month. Festival-goers wishing to spend the weekend in the Midlands are advised to book their accommodation soon as hotels and B&Bs are filling fast.

Further information from Sue Clarence on clarence@icon.co.za