From debut productions to iconic returns, here’s what to watch at KKNK 2026.
The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees turns 30 this year. And for its anniversary edition, the festival is going big on theatre and music.
Running from 28 March to 4 April 2026 in Oudtshoorn, this year’s KKNK leans into what it does best. New writing. Strong performances. Big names. First-time debuts. And a solid mix of established voices and emerging talent.
Here’s a first look at some of the shows and productions worth having on your radar.
Theatre: Debuts, returns and heavy hitters
This year’s theatre programme is packed. There’s a clear focus on new work, alongside returning productions that have already made waves elsewhere.
One of the standout moments is the first time Breyten Breytenbach’s first and last dramas will be staged at a festival together. Boklied and Verwelkingslied arrive in the Klein Karoo as a rare double bill. It’s a significant moment for Afrikaans theatre, and one that feels fitting for the festival’s 30th year.
Andrew Buckland also returns with two productions. A brand-new work, The Fool’s Guide, alongside the multi-award-winning The Ugly Noo Noo. It’s a chance to see one of South Africa’s most influential theatre-makers in both new and familiar territory.
Debut work features strongly. CRYBABY, the first theatre production by Carla Smith, premieres at KKNK. Smith also directs the piece, signalling a new chapter in her creative practice.
Another debut to watch is Atropa: Die wraak van vrede, a reimagining of the Trojan War by Flemish writer Tom Lanoye. The production brings together some of the country’s most respected performers and arrives fresh at the festival.
There’s also new work from Saartjie Botha, with Ge-gebergtes, as well as a one-person adaptation of Die ander dogter, performed by Sandra Prinsloo.
Popular dramas from other festivals are back too. That includes Ek is nie Danie and Athol Fugard’s Boesman en Lena, offering audiences a chance to catch productions they may have missed earlier in the year.
Stand-up and comedy
Comedy remains a strong drawcard. The line-up includes a mix of scripted comedy and stand-up, with familiar faces and sharp observational humour.
On the stand-up side, names like Alfred Adriaan, Alan Committie, Kurt Schoonraad and Hannes Brümmer are on the bill. Expect tight sets and big laughs across the week.
Vonkprop: Space for new voices
One of the most exciting additions is Vonkprop, a fringe-style programme dedicated to emerging artists.
It’s a space for experimentation. Short runs. Small stages. New ideas. From drama and comedy to physical theatre, Vonkprop is where first-time work and fresh voices take centre stage.
If you’re looking for what’s next, this is where to find it.
Music: New shows and familiar names
Music at KKNK is less about greatest hits and more about live storytelling. This year’s programme includes several debut productions created specifically for the stage.
Highlights include Francois van Coke, Nataniël sharing the stage with Charl du Plessis, and collaborations like Albert Frost and James Grace performing together. There’s also a strong focus on narrative-driven performances, blending music with memory and reflection.
Elsewhere, you’ll find everything from stripped-back acoustic sets to fuller ensemble shows. It’s a line-up that spans genres.
Visual art across town
Beyond the stages, visual art is woven through Oudtshoorn itself. Curated by Liza Grobler, this year’s programme focuses on place, time and conversation.
The festival artist for 2026, nomThunzi Mashalaba, leads a broader visual offering that includes exhibitions spread across the town, rather than confined to one space.
Thirty years in and KKNKs programme shows a festival still invested in new work, local voices and live performance that asks something of its audience.
Whether you’re there for theatre, music or what’s emerging next, this year’s edition is trying hard to draw audiences back.
* The full programme is now live.
