Bublé, big bands and Bee Gees

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BIG BAND: Cast members of Set the Fire, starting at Hillcrests Heritage Theatre next Thursday.

Durban welcomes three new musical stage productions this month, two of them at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest and the other at the Sunzone tented venue at Suncoast Casino.

First up at the Heritage Theatre, from next Thursday until January 21, will be Send the Fire, featuring a 10-member big band headed by singer and sax ace Martin Sigamoney, who has drawn on Durban’s finest musicians to create a crack outfit that includes a hot brass section.

“This experienced team of musicians, up to now, has performed only for business functions so it’s a real treat that they have decided to schedule these public performances on the Heritage stage,” says venue owner and entertainment director Gary McKenzie.

“Martin has included musicians from all walks of life, among them local trombonist Mario Monteregge, who is in his 70s and noted for heading Durban band Music Unlimited which was so popular in the ’80s and ’90s.”

Also in the line-up are vocalist Marion Loudon, keyboardist Mark Royeppen, guitarist Mageshen Pillay, trombonist Jason Naidoo, trumpeters Gabriel Joseph and Khulekani Bhengu, drummer Bruce Baker and bassist Jill Murray Brown.

The group’s song list will include a variety extending from evergreens such as Volare and Il Mondo to more modern hits associated with Freshlyground, UB40, Phil Collins, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and others.

Headed for The Heritage from January 24 to 29 is a show paying tribute to Canadian crooner Michael Bublé. It’s Don’t Burst My Bublé, starring charismatic young Durban singer Jonathan Didlick and a trio of dancers.

Didlick has been seen before at The Heritage Theatre in shows such as Johnny Be Good, In the Summertime, Come Fly With Me, Let’s Party, King and Queen (set for a return to the Heritage stage in February and March), Who’s Your Daddy and Rock Legends 2.

For Don’t Burst My Bublé, he will perform songs such as Feelin’ Good, Sway, Come Fly With Me, Mack the Knife, Save the Last Dance For Me, For Once in My Life, Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Everything.

For both Set the Fire and Don’t Burst My Bublé, tickets will cost R190 for performances from Wednesday to Saturday, and R165 for shows on Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons. All prices include a two-course meal. A non-dining, show-only option is available at R100 a head.

To book, or for details about promotional specials, phone the theatre at 031 765 4197.

The new Suncoast Casino show is Night Fever: A Tribute to the Bee Gees, which opened this week and runs until January 15.

Presented in association with Showtime Entertainment Australia, it is said to be a grand celebration of four decades of Bee Gees hits, featuring a talented team of performers and giant on-stage screens showing footage of the famous trio.

Tickets cost R195 at Computicket.