January 17, 2006
By Tabisa Mntengwana
IT IS said that you should always start as you mean to carry on – so start 2006 with a bit of music, love, laughter and dance.
Joburg’s various theatres have lined-up a host of shows, from Joseph Clark musicals to Shakespearean tragedy at the Tesson Theatre, and from the return of The Merry Widow at the Nelson Mandela Theatre to hypnotism by Andre at the Montecasino Theatre.
The Market Theatre
The iconic theatre was opened in 1976, by the late Barney Simon and Mannie Manim, in Joburg’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 Cultural Precinct
Tel: 011 832 1641
Website: http://www.markettheatre.co.za
The Main Theatre
Elephant is a story for all ages, told through music and dance, by nine humans, five musicians and two elephants. It is about Chief Zanemvula, who is certain that he is on his way to heaven, but is rejected at the gates for something he did in his youth.
With the help of his brother and the elephants, the chief makes peace with his ancestors and is allowed to enter heaven. The acclaimed play is directed by Ozzie Riley and Simon Tarrant and is on until 29 January.
The Laager Theatre
Coal Yard is about a young man who runs away from home after his father sexually abuses him. On his travels he forms friendships, falls in love and finds work in a coal yard. The show is directed by Ofentse Bodibe and Prince Lamla and runs on from 31 January to 25 February.
Johannesburg Civic Theatre
The Civic, 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.
Address: Loveday Street, Braamfontein
Tel: 011 877 6800
Website:http://www.showbusiness.co.za/
Nelson Mandela Theatre
The Merry Widow returns to South Africa 50 years after it was last performed here. The operetta is about the widow Hanna, who plays a dangerous dating game – and finally has to choose between love and money. The show is directed by Peter Mulloy and choreographed by Steve Ellias and is on from 8 February until 4 March.
Tesson Theatre
One of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies,
Macbeth explores witchcraft, ghostly manifestations, murder and revenge and is presented by the Actors Centre. It runs from 15 February to 11 March.
Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre
The Montecasino Theatre opened in December 2000 with only one stage, in the Main Theatre. The Studio Theatre opened in July 2003. The former seats more than 300 people, while the later seats 150.
Address: Montecasino Boulevard, Cnr William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road, Fourways
Tel: 011 511 1988/1818
Website:
http://www.montecasinotheatre.co.za/
Studio Theatre
After a four-year absence, Andre the Hypnotist is back. The one-man show, or rather the one man and a few volunteers show, is known for its ability to make people jump around on stage. Volunteer to be hypnotised and let your friends see you speak in moon language, forget your name or impersonate a chicken.
The show is on from 19 January to 27 February.
Main Theatre
If you haven’t seen it yet, than make sure you don’t miss Tim Plewman’s final outing as the Cavemen. The show is written by Rob Becker and is on until 5 February.
Liberty Life Theatre on the Square
The theatre has been running for longer than seven years and has received more than 25 Naledi nominations and several awards for theatre excellence.
Address: 121 Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City
Tel: 011 883 8606
E-mail: tots@artslink.co.za
Cedric Vandenschrik and Stella Konik, explore the timeless music of Jacques Brel
Rough Diamond explores the timeless music of Jacques Brel and his life in a simple and intimate way. The show is presented by Cedric Vandenschrik and Stella Konik and runs from 17 to 29 January.
This is followed by Missing Links, the new show from stand-up comedian Mark Sampson, which starts on 31 January and runs until 18 February. The show takes you on a roller coaster taxi-ride through three billion years of evolution, from microbes to man.
Globe Theatre
Johannesburg’s Globe Theatre opened in the early 1890s. Later renamed the Empire Palace of Varieties, it hosted the first moving picture shows in the city. The replica of the Globe Theatre at Gold Reef City 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:http://www.goldreefcity.co.za/home/
Bollywood comes to Joburg in Fusion, a love story with an underlying western flavour between two individuals from different sides of the world. The musical has a cast of 21 South African artists who both sing and dance. The show is on until 26 February.
The Sound Stage Theatre
The Sound Stage Theatre was founded in 1989 by Richard Loring to give audiences a vibey dinner – theatre experience, at an affordable price. It seats about 300 people.
Address: 239 Old Pretoria Rd, Constantia Park, Midrand
Tel: 011 315 5084
Website:http://www.soundstage.co.za/
Creedence Clearwater Revival includes the ever-popular songs Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary, Have You Ever Seen The Rain and many other old favourites. With only five performances, the show runs from 18 to 22 January.
This is followed by Joseph Clark, who heats up the stage with the Music of Queen, featuring hits such as We Are The Champions, Love of My Life and We Will Rock You. The show is on from 25 January until 5 February.
Immortality, the Bee Gees tribute show takes the audience back three decades through the music of the Bee Gees, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick with hits such as Immortality, All of Me, After You and Spics and Specs.
The show features Paul Buckby, Mark Richardson and Luciano Zuppa and is on from 8 to 12 February.
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