August 16, 2006
By Tabisa Mntengwana
DANCE the night away with the cast of Red, the Indian Dance Spectacular, or laugh out loud with Marc Lottering at the Theatre on the Square, travel the world with Phineas Fogg and Passepartout at Pieter Toerien's Montecasino Theatre.
JOHANNESBURG CIVIC THEATRE
The Civic Theatre in Braamfontein is one of the city's leading theatre venues. It has three theatres - the Nelson Mandela, the Tesson and the People's Theatre.
Red, the Indian Dance Spectacular, at the Civic Theatre, is a fabulous fusion of different dance styles
Address: Loveday Street, Braamfontein
Tel: 011 877 6800
Website:
www.showbusiness.co.za
Nelson Mandela Theatre
Red, the Indian Dance Spectacular, on until 3 September, is a fabulous fusion of different dance styles, influenced by the explosion of Bollywood movies.
Dances range from flamenco and kathkali, to break dancing, tap dancing and salsa, taking in some hip-hop, ballet, capoeira and belly dancing along the way.
Created by Raza Jaffrey, Red, the Indian Dance Spectacular features six international and 12 local dancers. International dancers include performers from Europe, China, Sri-Lanka, Malaysia and India.
The first part of the show has the more traditional, ceremonial dances, and snippets from popular Bollywood movies, while the second half has a more western, cross-cultural flavour.
Tesson Theatre
Hoot tells the unlikely riches to rags story of a hapless wealthy white man who loses his fortune and becomes a mini-bus taxi driver.
In this hysterically funny one-man show, the multi-talented Matthew Ribnick plays the taxi driver, his wife, his Zulu taxi driver friend Distance, and a host of other characters.
On until 27 August, Hoot is written and directed by Geraldine Naidoo.
Julius Caesar follows hot on the heels of Hoot. The Actors Centre's production, set for a two-week run, starts on 31 August.
A matric setwork, the play explores the opposing dynamics of democracy and tyranny. The play centres on Caesar's assassination, which sees the nation descending into civil violence and instability.
THE MARKET THEATRE
The iconic theatre was opened in 1976 in the city's original fruit and vegetable market. Three theatres have been established at the venue in the intervening years: the Barney Simon, the Main and the Laager.
Address: Cnr Bree and Wolhuter streets, Newtown Cultural Precinct
Tel: 011 832 1641
Website:
www.markettheatre.co.za
Guga Mzimba, a musical about artist Gerard Sekoto, is on at the Market Theatre
(Photo: Ruphin Coudyzer)
The Laager Theatre
Meet Myrtle Frost at the Laager Theatre, the grande dame of a company of travelling players in The Travellers, directed by the award-winning Sylvaine Strike.
The Travellers "captures theatre as we know it from our earliest memories, its nostalgia, its magic and magnificent escapism", says Strike. "The Frost family will have its audience in hysterics as swiftly as they will gut them." It explores the world of fantasy, illusions and delusions.
The play is on until 24 September.
The Barney Simon Theatre
Based on a short story by South African writer Es'kia Mphahlele, The Suitcase has been adapted for the stage by director James Ngcobo.
This story of love and trial is based on an actual event. Set in the 1950s, it tells the tale of a young rural couple who, despite family disapproval of their marriage, leave for the city.
Filled with hope, the husband has dreams of returning to the village with his fortune. But this hope fades and the husband, desperate to provide for his pregnant wife, steals a suitcase left in a bus, an act that dramatically changes his life.
The play is on until 20 August.
Main Theatre
Exploring the life of pioneering artist Gerard Sekoto, the musical Guga Mzimba is on in the Main Theatre until 20 August. It forms part of the theatre's 30th anniversary.
Directed by Fiona Ramsay, the musical explores the life of one of South Africa's pioneers of urban black art and social realism.
Following the musical is the drama Truth in Translation, the story of young interpreters involved in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Conceived and directed by Michael Lessac, with music by Hugh Masekela, Truth in Translation tells of the youngsters' quest for identity as they try to absorb all sides of the story.
The play runs from 28 August to 24 September.
PIETER TOERIEN'S MONTECASINO THEATRE
Montecasino's Main Theatre opened in December 2000, with seating for more than 300 people. The more intimate Studio Theatre opened in July 2003, with seating for 150 people.
Address: Montecasino Boulevard, Cnr William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road, Fourways
Tel: 011 511 1988/1818
Website:
www.montecasinotheatre
Main Theatre
Take a trip down memory lane with the all-new 2006 version of Fangs, a comedy-rock musical about a Joburg vampire who loses his teeth.
First performed in the 1970s, the current production features original cast member Bill Flynn, with newcomers Tobie Cronje, Michael Richards and Jo Galloway.
Directed by Tim Plewman, Fangs in on until 15 September.
Studio Theatre
The epic story of Phineas Fogg's race to travel Around the World in 80 Days is on until 3 September.
Adapted from the Jules Verne's adventure novel, the play is something the whole family can enjoy, with a cast of zany characters who transport the audience from London to Egypt, India and across America back to London at breakneck speed.
The show is on until 3 September and is directed by Alan Swerdlow.
BARNYARD THEATRES
The brainchild of husband-and-wife team Louis Moller and Sybel Coetzee, the Barnyard Theatre concept was first established in a converted barn on their dairy farm. There are now five Barnyard theatres around the country.
Broadacres
Address: Broadacres Shopping Centre, Cnr Cedar Avenue and Valley Road, Fourways
Tel: 011 467 6983
Website: http://www.barnyardtheatres.co.za
A Handful of Keys is a two-man music and comedy show, with a theatrical magic that speaks to people of all ages. The show is on until 27 August and is directed by Ian von Memerty.
Following that is Juke Box Hero, which features 50 number one music tracks from the last six decades. The audience chooses the songs and the cast performs their requests live on stage. The show is on from 29 August until 6 October.
Cresta
Address: Cresta Shopping Centre, Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg
Tel: 011 280 4370
Travel back to a time when greased back hair and stove pipe jeans were originally the in thing. Rock Around the Clock takes the audience back to the 1950s and the birth of rock 'n roll.
On until 1 October, the show features a 12-piece cast doing hits by Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard and Chuck Berry.
LIBERTY LIFE THEATRE ON THE SQUARE
The theatre has been running for over seven years and is a recipient of over 25 Naledi nominations and several awards for theatre excellence.
Address: 121 Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City
Tel: 011 883 8606
Website:
http://www.artslink.co.za/tots
Songs in Translation is an informative and hilarious show that explores the heart of many classical songs, including compositions made famous by musicians such as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Luciano Pavarotti, Lucio Dalla and Sting.
Starring Cedric Vandenschrik, accompanied by Dave Ledbetter, Songs in Translation is on until 26 August.
It is followed by comedian Marc Lottering's show Hallelujah, in which Lottering shares his zany perspective on the modern-day church. Many of his familiar characters make an appearance, with Auntie Merle sharing her views on undertakers and Smiley, the taxi dude, explaining how it came to pass that he went from church to jail.
Directed by David Kramer, Hallelujah runs from 29 August to 30 September.
THE SOUND STAGE THEATRE
This vibey dinner-theatre was founded in 1989 by Richard Loring and seats about 300 people.
Address: 239 Old Pretoria Rd, Constantia Park, Midrand
Tel: 011 315 5084
Website:
www.soundstage.co.za
Chef, Rattle and Roll is a show that cooks. It features a trio of talented female singers covering sounds of rock 'n roll hits such as Love Potion, Sugar Baby Love, Great Balls of Fire, Gold Finger and others.
The show runs until 27 August.
Midnight Hourcomes to life from 1 September until 31 December. The show is a celebration of Loring's 25th anniversary in musical productions, and features tracks by The Commitments, U2, Aretha Franklin, Bon Jovi and Tina Turner.
WINDYBROW THEATRE
The Windybrow Theatre was the family home of South African mining engineer Theodore Ruenert. Built in 1896, it has been an arts centre for more than 20 years. It now boasts three facilities: the main theatre, small theatre and the mini auditorium.
Address: Cnr Nugget and Pietersen streets, Joubert Park
Tel: 011 720 0003
Website:
www.windybrowarts.co.za
Main Theatre
Cards is a hard-hitting drama set in the Wild Cats Night Club in Hillbrow.
It follows the lives of prostitutes who work in the club, run by Muraba, who has trouble with the law for his black market dealings.
Written and directed by Paul Grootboom, Cards runs from 22 August until 10 September. It is not recommended for anyone younger than 18 years.
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