FOR those of you who missed seeing Benny Bushwhacker — conservationist, environmental campaigner and the only man to have thrice walked the length of Africa barefoot — in Durban, then you had better make sure you book to see him at the Hilton Arts Festival this weekend.

South African-born Bushwhacker (AKA renowned actor Ben Voss), who recently made world headlines for banging heads with British survivalist Bear Grylls, offers festivalgoers a hilarious yet sobering look at the collision between humans and the environment.

For somebody who has spent more time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life than a hibernating Arctic wood frog, he brings untainted humanity and delicious humour to his talk, which will have you laughing and wondering why, when it comes to the bush, the most uncommon human trait is common sense.

Whether it be Bushwhacker’s opinion on changing the Springbok emblem or how to spot a bullshitter in Kruger, or the relative chances of his estranged wife Brenda replacing the buffalo in the Big Five, he delivers with his unique sense of humour and classic bush logic. In his review of Benny Bushwhacker at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban, Barry Meehan described the show as “a crazy mix of verbal and physical comedy”.

Voss brings to life a host of characters, from Bushwhacker himself to Benny’s gran, who explains his early years; Skinny, his sidekick; the hoity-toity owner of an eco-resort; and Riley, a tech-savvy millennial who is attending Benny’s Paradise Project and bemoaning the lack of connectivity in the bush.

Benny Bushwhacker is at the Hilton Arts Festival on the Hilton College campus at 12.15 pm on September 14 and at 2.30 pm on September 15.

The show is written by John van de Ruit (Spud books) and is directed by Janice Honeyman. Tickets are R199 and Voss is hoping to use the show to raise money and awareness for the Lebombo Leopard —  Human Conflict Survey.

• For more about all the shows at this year’s Hilton Arts Festival and to book your seats visit http://www.hiltonfestival.co.za  You can also contact the festival office via e-mail at admin@hiltonfestival.co.za or by phoning 033 383 0127.

Lisa Bobbert and Aaron McIlroy in Bloopers!

LOOKING FOR MORE COMEDY AT THE FESTIVAL? WE GOT YOU COVERED.

IF you love comedy, then there is plenty on offer at the Hilton Arts Festival to tickle the old funny bone.

East Coast Radio breakfast host Darren Maule will tread the boards as the host of On Fire’s hilarious improv show, Scared Scriptless, alongside Jem Atkins, Nik Rabinowitz and Rob van Vuuren.

Catch all the fun in the Falcon tent as these comedians come up with fantastical tales on the spot at 12.15 pm on September 14. Tickets are R175.

Darren Maule

Van Vuuren will also be presenting his solo stand-up show, Again!, at 6 pm on September 13, while Rabinowitz is offering festival-goers the chance to see Dry White at 5.15 pm on September 14 and Fortyfied at 8 pm on September 13.

Both shows are in the Falcon tent and tickets are R175 each. No under 14s allowed.

Master of Mirth Aaron McIlroy, and Mistress of Merriment Lisa Bobbert, will also be at the festival, which takes place in the grounds of Hilton College, to perform their smash hit Bloopers!, in the Falcon tent at 10 am on September 15. Tickets are R170 and the show is suitable for all ages.

Festival organiser Sue Clarence said she hopes the performance will be packed to the rafters to assist the couple with rebuilding their lives and home, which burnt down while they were performing at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda this year.