Most arts lovers are preparing to pack woollies, boots, hot water bottles and scarves for the annual trek to the Standard Bank National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. However, Durbanites can enjoy some of the local KZN productions heading for the prestigious Festival in warm sunshine at home with the annual NOT the Grahamstown Festival which runs at Durban High School from June 21 to 27.

While this year’s line-up again concentrates on Grahamstown-bound productions, it will also include other productions as well as art exhibitions. Prime mover of the Festival, Aldo Brincat, has gathered the cream of Durban’s performers together to provide an interesting programme.

The line-up includes productions and performances by Catherine Mace, the Actor’s Co-Op, Ronnie Govender, Aldo Brincat, Charmaine Weir-Smith Ashley Dowds, Tim Wells, Mzwandile Kamang, Suzy Stengel, Alyn Adams, Bongani Ngwenya, Shireen James and the Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Company. The latter will be taking time off from their production of Coppélia which opens at the Playhouse on June 19.