It’s that time of the year again as booking opens for the annual Hilton Arts Festival taking place at Hilton College outside Pietermaritzburg, from 8 to 10 August, 2025. The event, now in its 32nd year, is one of South Africa’s leading festivals and the largest festival of its kind in the province, and brings the pick of the country’s music, theatre, film and art to KZN audiences.
As regular festival-goers will attest to, Hilton is much more than simply a drama festival; there are dollops of comedy, music of different genres, an extensive fine art exhibition, exciting arts related workshops, fun activities for kids and upmarket craft, as well as loads of live music, interactive musical experiences, loads of free street theatre, a packed fringe programme and a food and beverage offering to suit every palate.
Theatre lovers will be spoilt for choice with an amazing line-up of serious, comedic, musical and educational offerings.
On the more Serious Side
Girls & Boys, a gripping one-woman play that moves from humour to heartbreak with razor-sharp precision. Performed by award-winning actress Janna Ramos-Violante and directed by Steven Stead, it is a moving and unflinching look at gender, ambition and the quiet roots of violence. A Dolls Life: Confessions of a Quarter Life Crisis – this bold and hilarious one-woman show, explores the raw realities of young adulthood. Bitter Winter – the inimitable Paul Slabolepszy’s latest smash hit, Bitter Winter, reveals unexpected humour, deep humanity, and the enduring power of storytelling.
The Hollow Crown is ‘…Game of Thrones, Bridgerton and the Crown rolled into one unforgettable afternoon of literary finesse, elegance and right royal splendour.’ To Life, With Love – has been described as a ‘love letter to life’, a poetic reflection on the highs, the challenges and especially, the gift of life. It is performed by radio broadcaster and actor, John Maytham.
Woza Albert – is a landmark of social theatre in South Africa and remains a significant cultural commentary on resilience, community, and the ongoing quest for equality and justice in South Africa. Winner of 17 international awards, The Ugly Noo Noo is a political masterwork written and performed by Andrew Buckland, that remains as biting and brilliant as ever. Immortal is a true story. In 1911, a train, carrying stone from Bathurst for the building of the Cathedral in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, went off the Blaauwkrantz River bridge killing most of the passengers…except for a little 7-year-old girl called Hazel, who somehow got caught in the girders of the bridge and survived, while the rest of her family perished. A hit at the 2024 National Arts Festival, Making Wine in Scotland is a dystopian love story with bite. Written by Ovation Award-winner Ter Hollmann and directed by Roberto Pombo (The Agents), this play blends satire, romance and climate urgency in a gripping, fast-paced narrative.
The Funny Stuff
Schalk Bezuidenhout LIVE is back at Hilton and funnier than ever! Actress is a musical-comedy-drama that charts a decade in a woman’s life where she tries to balance being an actress, wife, mother and general human being. Durban’s favourite comedic couple, Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert, bring their hit musical comedy Date Night to Hilton. NAMASTE BAE: Bleassings & Kombucha is a satirical show that pokes fun at the self-help industry while offering a laugh-a-minute spiritual detox. Inspired by true events, Becoming Benno follows Ben Voss’s comic and moving journey as a hopeful immigrant, with his wife and child, after being detained at Sydney Airport.
A Hint of Nostalgia
Ethel is a fast, funny, and moving tribute to Broadway legend, Ethel Merman (Lisa Bobbert), the woman whose voice defined the musical theatre of the era. Shackleton is a gripping story of endurance and survival against impossible odds, brought to life through physical theatre, striking visuals and powerful performances, littered with humour. Song & Dance Man pays tribute to Fred Astaire and Gene Kelley in a dazzling one-man homage packed with flair and a whole lot of fancy footwork.
Then there’s the Music … Lots of it!
Step back into the groove with Funk the Disco, the new retro-fuelled ride from That 70s Band. Evan Cullum is the Piano Man and comes to Hilton for the first time after a run of sold-out shows. From seven singles to streaming, Jou Ma Se Platespeler is a nostalgic and proudly Afrikaans celebration of nearly 100 years of music. Amy Winehouse – the diva and her demons, is a powerful tribute and cautionary tale that celebrates the talent of Amy Winehouse. The Journeymen, Dave Starke and Nish Pillay share a decade-long story of grit, growth and great music with an evening of original songs and stories. All-acoustic, four-piece Gypsy Jazz band, Hot Club d’Afrique pays tribute to the original “Quintette du Hot Club de France”, founded in 1934 by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli and refers to the Swing Jazz of the 1930s, known at the time as ‘hot jazz’ or ‘le jazz hot’.
And there’s More – Dance, Physical Theatre and Film
The Hilton Arts Festival is thrilled to have the FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY at the Festival this year – performed outdoors and amongst the trees, The Cleansing by is a ritual of movement and poetry that honours our sacred bond with the Earth. With choreography by Lliane Loots and words by poet Iain Ewok Robinson.
Once Upon A Teacup – explores the journey of a young girl growing up in Africa, named Violet. It explores the notion and power of imagination and the toll it takes under pop culture constructs, social media, and the inevitable pressure of growing up.
Preceded by amazing reviews, environmental film, Blue Burning is a collaboration between filmmakers Janet Solomon and Viki van den Barselaar Smith, who bring their complementary skills to bear, on a significant and sinister aspect of South Africa’s economic development strategy. Expect a visually stunning, well-paced movie with a magnificent musical score.
– The Kids Stuff…For the younger set, there’s everything from puppets and story-telling to physical theatre. Dads Gone Rogue, Tales to Tell, Wings to Fly, The Boy Who Cried Ninja, Sthandwa and The Nature Thieves, Msizi and Peter and The Wolf.
Take this opportunity to enjoy the magnificent Midlands with the international birding company, Rockjumper, who are back with a great new line-up of exhibitions, lectures, guided walks and drives and for Classic Car enthusiasts, Retro Rides is back. Get ready to rev your engines and take a trip down memory lane as this extravaganza on wheels, motors into town.
In a nutshell
Hilton Arts Festival 2025
At Hilton College, outside Pietermaritzburg, KZN
From 8 to 10 August 2025
Entrance for the weekend is R100 per car, valid for three days.
Get Hilton Arts Festival tickets at Webtickets
See the full programme on www.hiltonfestival.co.za