September 19, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana
SPRING has sprung, the grass has riz, and the theatre world has brushed off its winter garb with a hot line-up that includes comedy, dance, music, art and classic tales.
For a different experience, the Civic Theatre is putting on Mozart's Magic Flute – with a twist. The production intertwines music and art. There is also a nostalgic journey with Rock Around the Clock or a singalong with Tonight's the Night, while The Lion King is still pulling in the crowds.
On the comedy front, international and local comedians take part in the New York Underground Comedy Festival. The young are catered for at the National Children's Theatre, which is putting on Puss in Boots and Other Tails, and the People's Theatre, which has The Frog Prince on its diary.
Mozart's Magic Flute, directed by William Kentridge, is on at the Civic Theatre
Johannesburg Civic Theatre
The Civic Theatre complex 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
The Soweto Gospel Choir presents its new show,
African Spirit. The theme of the show is a spiritual journey and the songs explore different aspects of the human spirit - love for one another, living together as a nation and love of life.
The award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir performs at the Civic Theatre
The show is on until 23 September and is followed by Mozart's Magic Flute, directed by William Kentridge.
It is a unique production intertwining live opera with animated film sequences on gauzes and screens. It tells the story of Pamino and Tamino who undergo trails by fire and water before they can be joined together forever.
Presented by Rand Merchant Bank, the opera runs from 29 September to 21 October.
Tesson Theatre
Jozi Dance Company is a mixture of seasoned pieces and new, commissioned works featuring Anton van Niekerk, Sifiso Kweyama, Songezo Mcilizeli, Mari-Louise Basson and emerging choreographers.
It is on from 24 October until 4 November.
Then, Groet Die Grotman is back by popular demand. This Afrikaans production of the hilarious comedy Defending the Caveman, runs from 20 November to 1 December. Written by Rob Becker, it explores the differences between the sexes and how those differences cause so much misunderstanding.
People's Theatre
The Frog Prince, a stage adaptation of the classic fairytale, tells of a young beautiful princess who lives in a castle with her six sisters. One day while playing outside, her ball falls into a pond. A frog offers to help her get the ball if she lets it eat with her and sleep on her pillow for three nights.
The princess reluctantly agrees but runs off after getting back her ball, without saying a word to the frog.
It visits the castle and insists the princess keeps her side of the bargain. The show is on until 13 October and is staged and directed by Keith Smith and Gill Girard, with costumes by Vanessa Sham and set by Marius Boshoff.
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
Techni-Coloured is a new solo venture by Stuart Taylor, who has blended stand-up comedy, sketch comedy and his signature magic. Taylor acts as tour guide through his personal identity crisis and paranoia while destroying the myths of preconceived stereotypes.
It is on until 30 September.
Next up is Grimm Tales, a funny, magical, cruel and wondrous collaboration of classic tales directed by Craig Higginson and dramatised by Tim Supple. The show is on from 18 October 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
Written by Lara Foot Newton and directed by Clare Stopford,
Reach is set in a small town near Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape in 2009.
The play tells the story of a middle-aged woman, Marion Banning, who lives alone following the sudden death of her son some years before. A young man starts to visit her and a friendship develops, which provides them both with an opportunity for renewal and growth.
Reach runs until 21 October.
Main Theatre
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, written by Edward Albee and directed by Janice Honeyman, runs until 30 September.
It is a caustic and humorous portrayal of love and marriage. Honeyman tackles this complex but entertaining black comedy with a formidable foursome - Fiona Ramsay and Sean Taylor are the bitter but erudite older couple; Nicholas Pauling and Erica Wessels play the unsuspecting young couple.
Who's Afraid of Viginia Woolf, at the Market Theatre, is a caustic and humorous portrayal of love in a marriage
Following that is Joe Barber 4, which runs from 11 October to 25 November. It is a sequel to the hugely successful Joe Barber 3. Starring Oscar Petersen and David Issacs, the play is a hilarious and creative comedy.
It is directed by Heinrich Reisenhofer.
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
Comedian Ennio Marchetto's
The Living Cartoon is a unique and extraordinary visual play in which Marchetto uses the art of origami to create theatrical magic.
The Living Cartoon is on until 23 September.
Studio Theatre
A tribute to the legendary musician Jacques Brel,
Kissed by Brel examines the themes of love, war, adventure, broken dreams, youth, growing old and death.
Claire Watling performs, accompanied by Godfrey Johnson. The show runs until 30 September.
Teatro
The internationally acclaimed musical
The Lion King is being performed in South Africa until 2 December.
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. Sello Maake Ka-Ncube plays Mufasa; other actors are 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
A nine-piece band performs Rock Around The Clock, a non-stop nostalgic show that takes you back to a decade of innocence and an age of discovery, when people enjoyed life to the full and rocked like there was no tomorrow.
The show is on until 7 October.
Following that is a tribute to the king of pop, Elvis Presley. Walking in Memphis features some of his hits songs, including Heartbreak Hotel, My Baby Left Me and Hound Dog.
It is on from 9 to 14 October.
Cresta
Address: Cresta Shopping Centre, Beyers Naude Drive, Randburg
Tel: 011 280 4370
Website:
www.barnyardtheatres.co.za
Boogie the night away with Tonight's the Night, a tribute to some of the most popular male singers of all time, including Joe Cocker, Chris de Burgh, Elvis Presley, Barry Manilow, Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Rod Stewart, Roy Orbison, Chris de Burgh, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. The show is on until 30 September.
Following that is the New York Underground Comedy Festival, featuring international comedians Tony Woods from the US, The Ninja from US, Australian Julia Wilson and local favourites Trevor Noah, Malcolm Ferreira and Vittorio Leonardi. The show is on from 3 to 5 October.
Straight after the comedy festival, Surfing Safari comes to life with the ultimate beach party. Sip exotic cocktails while a 10-piece band plays music by the Beach Boys, Cliff Richard, UB40, Simon and Garfunkel, Sheryl Crow, Blondie, Ricky Martin and Santana.
Surfing Safari runs from 9 October until 31 December.
Liberty Life Theatre On The Square
The theatre has been running for over seven years and has received over 25 Naledi nominations and has won several awards for theatre excellence.
Address: 121 Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton City
Tel: 011 883 8606
Website:
www.artslink.co.za/tots
The life and untimely death of a boy called Simon is the subject of The Boy Who Fell from the Roof. With his best friend Georgina, our hero falls into the cold waters of homosexuality, race, love, death and growing up in contemporary Cape Town.
The play, on until 13 October, explores the themes of trust and friendship.
Globe Theatre
Johannesburg's Globe Theatre opened in the early 1890s and was later renamed the Empire Palace of Varieties. It hosted the first moving picture shows. This replica opened with the world premiere of Richard Loring's
African Footprint in 2000.
Address: Gold Reef City Casino, Northern Parkway, Ormonde
Tel: 011 248 5168
Website:
http://www.goldreefcity.co.za
Various aspects of the theatre world, such as comedy, music and rhythm, 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 women who 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 and Shania Twain, and local musicians such as Brenda Fassie, TK and Lebo Mathosa.
It is on until 31 December.
National Children's Theatre
Originally known as 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
Take a fun-filled journey around the world with Puss in Boots and Other Tails. Travel from Persia to Japan, Africa, Australia and the desert sands of The Couscous Pot.
The show, on until 13 October, features a variety of popular fairytales produced by multi-award winning director Levinsohn.
Victory Theatre
The newly opened theatre was purpose-built as a home for the smash hit,
Umoja: The Spirit of Togetherness. It will also put on other shows.
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, which uses music, drums and dance to depict rural, city and township lives.
Music is used to express people's joys and sorrows, ranging from love songs and lullabies to gospel and contemporary jazz.
The show is on until 31 December.
And then David Kau is back by popular demand with his show David Kau – Reloaded. The one-man comedy tackles politicians, cabinet members, celebrities and even common folk.
"The Madiba jokes, the Always ultra pads, female condoms and chakalaka, the Zimbabwean currency, Swaziland's potholes, sex in eleven official languages, the weather, Americans, black people this black people that, Indian people this Indian people that, coloured people this coloured people that, white people this white people that … [and] other jokes I can remember since I first started doing stand-up comedy in October 1998, I'll be doing them for the last time and I will not repeat them again," Kau has said.
The show runs from 28 to 30 September.
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