If the advance booking sales are anything to go by, audiences need to snap up their seats for the fifth annual Voorkamerfest (Front Room Festival), taking place in Darling from 5 to 7 September 2008 .

The event, which is already almost 50 percent sold, is regarded by many as one of the foremost entertainment theatre festivals in South Africa, and it is proudly celebrating its Jubilee status this year.

Under the artistic guidance of the well-known Capetonian arts consultant Marietha Channell, together with the Dutch impresario Inge Bos and Wim Visser, the artistic director of The Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam, the Voorkamerfest stands apart in the world as a unique one–of-a–kind festival that hosts productions in multiple languages and genres, performed by artists from both SA and overseas, many of whom are internationally acclaimed.

Visitors buy a ticket for a route — this year there are seven in total — and during this unforgettable journey between three different homes in Darling, three varied performances can be enjoyed.

The element of surprise is that the audiences never know who they will see performing until they arrive at each voorkamer. The owners of the houses, that range from small township abodes to some of Darling's grand Cape Dutch homes, play host to each audience and a truly South African cultural experience awaits all, with an exciting mix of theatre genres catering to all tastes. To add to the flavour of the fest, minibus taxis are used to transport everyone to their various destinations throughout the town.

This year performers from South Africa include musicians Matthew Reid (clarinet) and Pieter van Zyl (piano); Nibs van der Spuy (guitar); Marc Uys (violin) and Wired Strings (string quartet).

Audiences can also enjoy singers and storytellers Thembi Mtshali-Jones (accompanied by Ray Molefe on percussion) and Marji Geldenhuys; the poet Outspoken; excerpts from Mike van Graan’s 'Bafana Republic Extra Time'; the opera singer Pretty Yende accompanied by Darling’s well-known composer Hendrik Hofmeyr on piano; comedian Tshepo Mogale; and the amateur comedy-drama group from Darling known as the 'Darling iAfrica Drama Queens'.

The UCT School of Dance's hip hop group and young magicians from the College of Magic will also present performances at the fest.

The line-up of overseas artists consists of the acrobatic Barefoot Company from the UK; Belgian singer Eva de Roovere; Katharina Vogel, the Butoh dancer from Switzerland and the Compagnie Meyer/Charraud, a Franco-Swiss modern dance ensemble accompanied by musician Surajit Das from India.

Performers from The Netherlands include world music ensemble Souldada, the poet Alfred Schaffer and the actress and singer Niki Romijn who will perform her production about Ingrid Jonker accompanied by Erik Robaard on guitar.

Situated 55 minutes north of Cape Town, Darling is known for its gorgeous spring spectacle of wild flowers, wonderful wine estates, vibrant community and of course the legendary Evita se Perron that forms the hub of the fest and is traditionally abuzz with craft, food and wine stalls in the Piazza dolcEvita. The enthusiastic Voorkamerfest team is co-ordinated by Tasha St John-Reid who has been with the Fest since its inception in 2004.

This year, several visual artists in Darling will open their studios for visitors to meet them and view their art work. The Darling Studio Exhibition map will also be available at the Voorkamerfest as well as complimentary copies of the Perron's newspaper, the Bapetikosweti Basuin.

The fifth annual Voorkamerfest takes place from 5 to 7 September. Tickets cost R96 per route with R1 from every ticket sold being donated to the Darling Trust. For more info and bookings call Tasha on 082 321 7542 or visit www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za for more information.