November 16, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE festive season is here and Joburg theatres are booming with entertainment, ranging from dance, music and magic, to comedy, mayhem and rhythm.
Over at the Civic Theatre, this year's panto takes you to the magical world of Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, the Darling Family and the Lost Boys of Kensington. For a little bit of nostalgia, there's
Rock Me Amadeus at Barnyard Theatre.
On the comedy front, try
Groet Die Grotman, the Afrikaans version of the wildly popular
Defending the Caveman, or be intrigued by the nuns from Little Sisters School in Las Vegas.
For the younger set - and those young at heart - the People's Theatre presents
The Jungle Book and the National Youth Theatre brings
The Sleeping Beauty to life.
Johannesburg Civic Theatre
The Civic Theatre in Braamfontein is one of the city's leading theatre venues. It has three stages - 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
It's Christmas, which means it's time for the annual Janice Honeyman panto, and this year it is the turn of Peter Pan. The pantomime is based on the well-loved novel by JM Barrie, and it takes you into the magical world of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys of Kensington. Of course, Honeyman gives it her trademark twist, and adds a new character, Clementina Coconut, the dame.
"
Peter Pan has always been one of my favourite stories," Honeyman says. "My imagination is flying way beyond Neverland and I'm extremely excited to be given this opportunity to write and direct a brand new panto. It's … topical and tropical fun."
The panto is on until 31 December.
Tesson Theatre
Groet Die Grotman is back by popular demand. This Afrikaans production of the hilarious comedy
Defending the Caveman, runs until 1 December. Written by Rob Becker, it explores the differences between the sexes and how those differences cause so much misunderstanding.
Straight after that,
Chilli Boy, makes a come back. This is a tale of an Indian woman who dies and is incarnated as a racist white gangster from Boksburg.
Matthew Ribnick brings to life this weirdly wonderful character. At the age of 30 the gangster starts having flashbacks of his previous life and he discovers his maternal instincts, all of which threatens his brawler reputation.
Conceived and written by Geraldine Naidoo, the show is on from 4 to 30 December.
People's Theatre
The Jungle Book tells a story about the importance of family, friendship, and trust, using music and adventure. The production includes contemporary tunes and evergreen favourites.
It is staged and directed by Keith Smith and Gill Girard, with costumes by Vanessa Sham and set by Marius Boshoff.
The play is on until 24 December.
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
Tel: 011 832 1641
Website:
www.markettheatre.co.za
The Laager Theatre
A funny, magical, cruel and wondrous collaboration of classic tales,
Grimm Tales, is directed by Craig Higginson and dramatised by Tim Supple. The show is on until 16 December.
Higginson uses a company of six actors and two musicians to recreate the magic of the classics, which appeal to young and old alike.
The Barney Simon Theatre
The much-anticipated 2010 Fifa World Cup™ is the subject of
Bafana Republic. The satire is written by Mike van Graan and features Van Graan, Zapiro, Lara Bye, Jaco Bouwer and Lindiwe Matshikiza.
It is inspired by the sharp critiques of Zapiro, whose cartoons are featured in the production.
Bafana Republic is on until 16 December.
Main Theatre
The sequel to the hugely successful
Joe Barber 3,
Joe Barber 4, runs until 25 November. Starring Oscar Petersen and David Isaacs, it's a hilarious and creative comedy.
It is directed by Heinrich Reisenhofer.
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.co.za
Main Theatre
In
Nunsensations, the Little Sisters of Hoboken wear skimpy, feathered and sequined outfits, all in the name of charity. The sisters are forced to go to Las Vegas when a parishioner donates $10 000 to the school. The catch is that the nuns have to perform in Vegas - with Reverend Mother Regina's permission, of course. And she used to be a circus performer.
The play is on from 16 November until 20 January 2008, and the cast includes Anne Power, Lisa Melman, Michele Levin, Sasha de Beer and Nqobile Sipamela.
Studio Theatre
The
39 Steps is a hilarious theatre adaptation of John Buchan's 1935 film.
Richard Hannay is accused of a murder he never committed; he is on the run in Scotland from the espionage organisation called 39 Steps, and is trying to clear his name.
Along the way he hooks up with a weird assortment of characters, from the cheeky milkman to the eccentric couple on a remote farm, from lingerie salesmen and detectives to Scottish dancers, a mumbling election chairman, a sinister German professor, an icy blonde and the enigmatic Mr Memory.
The show runs until 19 January 2008.
Teatro
The internationally acclaimed - and wildly popular - musical
The Lion King has had its run extended twice, and is now showing 20 January 2008.
South Africa is the tenth country to host a production of the show, which follows the adventures of a lion cub, Simba, who is driven into exile after the death of his father, the king.
He returns after struggling with the responsibilities of manhood and his future role, to overthrow his wicked uncle and reclaim the kingdom.
Most of the music is by Grammy Award winning composer and producer Lebo M. The cast includes Sello Maake Ka-Ncube as Mufasa, Buyisile Zama, Mark Rayment and Andile Gumbi, among many more.
Barnyard Theatres
The Barnyard Theatre concept is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Louis Moller and Sybel Coetzee, with the original theatre 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:
www.barnyardtheatres.co.za
Rock Me Amadeus takes a journey though four decades of music with 10 musicians performing over 30 songs. The tunes range from the opening chords of Mozart's
Eine kleine Nachtmusik till the closing bars of Bob Seger's
Old Time Rock And Roll.
The show is on until 31 December.
Also in the line up is
Beauty and the Beast from 20 to 22 December. Comprising a cast of four this love story features hilarious and sentimental scenes filled with song and dance.
Beauty and the Beast is produced, directed and choreographed by Litzy Katz.
Cresta
Address: Cresta Shopping Centre, Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg
Tel: 011 280 4370
It's the ultimate beach party with
Surfing Safari. Sip exotic cocktails while a 10-piece band plays the music of the Beach Boys, Cliff Richard, UB40, Simon and Garfunkel, Sheryl Crow, Blondie, Ricky Martin and Santana.
The show runs until 31 December.
Liberty Life Theatre On The Square
The Liberty Life Theatre On The Square has been open for over seven years, during which time it has received more than 25 Naledi nominations and several awards for theatre excellence.
Address: 121 Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City
Tel: 011 883 8606
Website:
www.artslink.co.za/tots
Catch
Mile High with Cathy Specific from 20 November until 31 December. It's the story of Cathy Specific who secretly wants to be in a Broadway musical. The play captures the hopes, dreams, tears, fears, traumas and tantrums faced by Cathy on her journey of self-discovery.
Join Cathy Specific on her journey of self-discovery, on at the Liberty Life Theatre on the Square
The show is directed by Brendan van Rhyn and Maralin van Renen.
Lyric Theatre
Various aspects of the theatre world, such as comedy, music and dance, are brought to life in the musical
Hairspray. The show features well-known personalities, musicians and actors such as Mara Louw, Harry Sideropolous, Mike Huff and Kate Normington.
A 12-piece orchestra led by Charl Johan Lingenfelder provides the tunes.
Hairspray runs from 9 October until 5 January 2008.
The Sound Stage Theatre
This vibey dinner-theatre was founded in 1989 by Richard Loring and seats about 300 people.
Address: 239 Old Pretoria Road, Constantia Park, Midrand
Tel: 011 315 5084
Website:
www.soundstage.co.za
Girl Talk 007 features 10 multi-talented females who can sing, dance, play instruments and act. The show caters for the young and old with songs from international stars such as Christina Aguilera, KT Tunstall, Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Madonna, Shania Twain and local musicians such as Brenda Fassie, TK and Lebo Mathosa.
The show is on until 31 December.
National Children's Theatre
Originally called the Johannesburg Youth Theatre, the company was established in 1990 with Joyce Levinsohn as 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
Adapted from French author Charles Perrault's fairytale, this production of
Sleeping Beauty is full of mayhem, romance, comedy and magic. Director Joyce Levinsohn sticks to the original story in her musical, but adds a few modern elements.
It is the story of a beautiful young princess who falls asleep under the spell of a wicked fairy godmother, and only a kiss from a handsome prince can wake her.
The music is directed by Saranti Reeders and the set is by Graham Brown.
Sleeping Beauty is on until 22 December.
Victory Theatre
Address: 105 Louis Botha Avenue, Houghton Estate, Houghton
Tel: 011 728 9603
Website:
www.umojatheshow.com
Black South Africa is portrayed in
Umoja: The Spirit of Togetherness, through music, drums and dance. The show depicts rural, city and township lives, in which music expresses the joys and sorrows of the people. Everything from love songs and lullabies to gospel and contemporary jazz is included.
The show is on until 31 March 2008.
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