April 28, 2006
By Tabisa Mntengwana
Warm up this winter with laughter, music, fun and dance at Joburg's theatres.
The season's line-up is packed with musicals, ghost stories and children's shows, African stories, comedy and African rhythms. Catch township stories, learn more about the relationship between Africa and the West at the Market Theatre, laugh out loud with the comedian David Kau or enjoy the banter of two women over a cup of tea.
For the young and the young at heart, the National Children's Theatre is the place to be.
Johannesburg Civic Theatre
The Civic, in Braamfontein, is one of the city's leading entertainment venues. It has three theatres - the Nelson Mandela, the Tesson and the People's Theatre.
Address: Loveday Street, Braamfontein
Tel: 011 877 6800
Website: www.showbusiness.co.za
Nelson Mandela Theatre
Talented singer and songwriter Vicky Sampson performs alongside a cast of 29 - and eight local musicians - in the award-winning musical
We Will Rock You. The show, written by Ben Elton, features 24 of Queen's greatest hits. New talent in the show includes Helen Burger, Francois Schreuder and Helen Goldberg. It runs from Tuesday, 9 May to Saturday, 4 June.
Tesson Theatre
The black economic empowerment comedian David Kau is on until 30 April in
I Did These Jokes First. In this production he impersonates Madiba and jokes about the Zimbabwean currency, Swaziland potholes, the weather, Americans, black people and many more.
Following that is the Tuckshop Girls in Extravagant Nights 2. The drag queens are back in action with stylish new dance moves, music and comedy -and they are sassy, stylish and sexy as ever. The cast includes Dimitri Zouves, Tony Zouridis and Neil Holland.
The show is on from 11 May to 11 June.
The Market Theatre
The iconic complex was opened in 1976, by the late Barney Simon and Mannie Manim, in the city's original fruit and vegetable market. Out of this, three theatres have grown: the Barney Simon, the Main and the Laager.
Address: Cnr Bree and Wolhuter Streets, Newtown
Tel: 011 832 1641
Website: www.markettheatre.co.za
The Main Theatre
Relativity - Township Stories is a contemporary epic exploring the underbelly of township life. It also debunks the myth that people living in poverty find refuge in music and dance; most of them turn to alcohol, sex, violence and even religion.
The show is on until 14 May and was written by Presley Chweneyagae, who played the lead role in the Oscar-winning movie Tsotsi, and Paul Grootboom, who is also the director.
The Laager Theatre
The Hungry takes a look at the relationship between Africa and the West and offers profound insight into some of the issues in contemporary South Africa.
It was written by Durbanites Ellis Pearson and Bheki Mkhwane, who also star, and is on until 7 May.
The Barney Simon Theatre
Nongogo takes place in a front-room township shebeen, run by Queenie. Queenie's real name is Rose and she has kept her past to herself - that is, until she meets a young salesman, Johnny.
The show is directed by John Matshikiza and is on until 30 April.
Following that is The Prophet of Waterberg, which is about survival, drugs, sex, ghosts and politics and the search of the soul of Eugene Marais, a ghost story teller. The action takes place today, beginning at sunset and continuing into the evening around a campfire on a guest farm in the Waterberg.
It runs from 4 May to 4 June and was written and directed by Nicky Rebelo.
Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre
The Montecasino Theatre opened in December 2000 with only one venue, the Main Theatre. The Studio Theatre opened in July 2003. The former seats more than 300 people, while the smaller Studio seats 150.
Address: Montecasino Boulevard, Cnr William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road, Fourways
Tel: 011 511 1988/1818
Website: www.montecasinotheatre.co.za
Main Theatre
The well-known musical
Jesus Christ Superstar, from pens of the British musical kings Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, is given a foot-stomping treatment, until 11 June.
Studio Theatre
Going to St Ives begins and ends over tea between two women, who visit each other's homes. It explores the issues of morality, ethics and social dilemmas in an intimate context.
The play is directed by Alan Swerdlow and is on until 28 May.
Barnyard Theatres
The Barnyard Theatre concept was the brainchild of Louis Moller and his wife, who own the franchise. The first venue was established in a converted barn on their dairy farm; now there are four theatres around the country.
Broadacres
The theatre is in the Broadacres complex, near to the nursery.
Address: Broadacres Shopping Centre, Cnr Cedar Avenue and Valley Road, Fourways
Tel: 011 467 6983
Grease comes to life, taking the audience back to the heady teenage lifestyle of the 1950s, when boys had ducktail haircuts and sported motorcycle jackets and pegged pants. Their girls had beehive hairdos and wore pedal pushers and spongy white bobby socks. The show is directed by on Ian von Memetry and is on until Sunday, 30 April.
Following that is Walking in Memphis, an Elvis Presley tribute show by Shaky Russell. The singer performs some of the King's popular hits, such as Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes, I Need Your Love Tonight and many others.
Cresta
The theatre is on the ground floor of the new wing at Cresta Shopping Centre.
Address: Cresta Shopping Centre, Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg
Tel: 011 280 4370
Juke Box Hero is a show with a difference, featuring 50 number one music hits from the last six decades. The audience can choose songs and the cast performs the requests live. The show on until 7 May.
Following that is The Bats - Loudly South African from 9 to 14 May. It is an interesting blend of musical skill and comedy, to keep you toe-tapping and chuckling in your seats.
It features comedian Eddie Eckstein, TV personality Paul Ditchfield and blues guitarist Pete Clifford, the original Bats. Newcomer Derek Gordan joins the trio.
Liberty Life Theatre on the Square
This theatre has been open for over seven years, during which time it has received 25 Naledi nominations and won several awards for theatre excellence.
Address: 121 Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City
Tel: 011 883 8606
Website: www.at.artslink.co.za
Two to Tango is a new comedy by award-winning playwright Mark van Graan about relationships. Everyone who has ever had or who is in a relationship will groan, squirm and laugh along with the cast. The show is on until 20 May.
Globe Theatre
Johannesburg's Globe Theatre opened in the early 1890s and was later renamed the Empire Palace of Varieties, which hosted the first moving picture shows in the city. The replica, in the Gold Reef City Casino complex, opened with the world premiere of Richard Loring's
African Footprint in 2000.
Address: Gold Reef City Casino complex, Northern Parkway, Ormonde
Tel: 011 248 5168
Website: www.goldreefcity.co.za
African Footprint is back for a mesmerising season of the hypnotic heartbeat of the African drum, the soulful saxophone and haunting pennywhistle. Get into the swing of dances such as kwela-jive, gumboot, tap and contemporary ballet and hip-hop pantsula.
The show is on until 2 July.
The Sound Stage Theatre
The Sound Stage Theatre was founded in 1989 by Richard Loring to give the audience a vibey dinner-theatre experience, at an affordable price. The theatre seats about 300 people.
Address: 239 Old Pretoria Road, Constantia Park, Midrand
Tel: 011 315 5084
Website: www.soundstage.co.za
Take a nostalgic trip back in time with Yesterday Once More, which features tracks by The Carpenters, such as Close to You, Rainy Days and Mondays and Please Mr Postman.
The show is on until 9 July.
The National Children's Theatre
Originally known as the Johannesburg Youth Theatre, the company was established in 1990, with Joyce Levinsohn as the director. Four times a year it presents plays based on well-known classics.
Address: 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown
Tel: 011 484 1584
Website: www.jyt.co.za
The World of Beatrix Potter is a terrific treat for the kids. It is a humorous adventure of colourful characters, marvelous puppets, Peter Rabbit and Jemimah Puddleduck.
The show is on until 29 April.
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