lELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist returns to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 3pm until August 25. He then moves to the Hexagon Theatre in Pietermaritzburg from August 27 to 31. Tickets for both venues can be purchased at Computicket on 0861 915 8000 at R90, R65 on production of a student card, pensioner’s card or for those under 12.
lTHE HERITAGE THEATRE: The musical tribute Eagles – Taking It Easy runs again by popular demand at The Heritage Theatre until September 15. The show, which covers the musical meteoric rise to fame of the Eagles band during the early 1970s and 1980s and includes numbers such as Hotel California, Tequila Sunrise, Lyin’ Eyes, Get Over It and Heartache Tonight, played to packed houses last year. Featuring a seven-piece band, the show is the closest thing to going to a real Eagles concert. This musical offering is directed by Dawn Selby and in true Eagles style features four frontline guitars in Barry Thomson, Andy Turrell, Riaan Jacobsz and Shaun Dragt. Andy also features on pedal steel with Mali Sewell on drums. There are three preview specials on August 6, 7 and 8 at which you can get the show and a three-course meal for R165 a person. Normal ticket prices are R195 a person Wednesday to Saturdays, and R165 Tuesday evenings and Sunday lunch time for the show and a two-course meal. There is a show-only option for R120. Bookings can be made on 031 765 4197.
lBAT CENTRE: Catch the Young Basadzi Women of The Poetry every Thursday at The BAT Centre. Experience the world of rhythm and poetry through the eyes of women. This exciting venture by Young Basadzi Projects is yet another effort in providing a platform where women are able to share their thoughts and ideas, communicate their frus- trations and pains, aspirations and life’s resolutions while putting it down on paper, into spoken word. Starts at 5.30pm. Cost is free. Call 031 332 0451.
lTHE BARNYARD THEATRE: The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway celebrates the music of some of the greatest pop icons of all time – Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tina Turner, Pink, and Freddie Mercury – with We are the Champions. The show runs until August 25. All these unforgettable names on one stage, in one show, singing number one hits from the past five decades of pop and rock music. These artists have dominated the charts and influenced the world im- mensely, so can be referred to as “champions of the world” and the music industry. The cast features Rainer Jadischke, Samantha Tirivacho, Jonothan Didlick, Danny Goodman, Andre Byleveld, Dylan van der Linde and Kirsty Madgin. Tickets: R140 from Wednesday to Saturday, with discounts of R105 every Tuesday night, and R95 for the Sunday matinée show. Call 031 566 3045.
lTHE PLAYHOUSE: Written and directed by Ronnie Govender, Botoo, a long-awaited stage piece based on Dr Devi Rajab’s book, Women: South Africans of India Origin, premieres in The Loft theatre on August 8 and runs until August 17. Govender has chosen to focus on an interview the writer had with Dr Gonum, a visionary and a feminist who took part in the passive resistance movement. She dressed in the traditional way yet smoked and drank. She was a woman of contradictions and has sparked many debates over the years. Tickets are R100 a person, students just R35 each.
lRHUMBELOW THEATRE: Take Five, the all-female musical ensemble featuring the talents of Shelley McLean, Tory du Plessis, Tammy Saville, Haylea Hounsome and Chloe Clark, are set to play at The Rhumbelow Theatre until August 18. They will perform tight harmony arrangements of contemporary music stars such as Adele and Avril Lavigne, pop and musical theatre hits, classical and jazz, and timeless classics. Tickets are R100. Shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sunday’s at 6.30pm. Book at Computicket or phone 031 057 602.
lCOURTYARD THEATRE (DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY): Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal is staged until August 16, 6pm nightly. This one-act, three-hander farce was written by the famed Russian in 1888-1889 and first performed in 1890. The Proposal (sometimes translated from Russian as The Marriage Proposal) tells the story of love, marriage, hypochondria… and neighbourly disputes. Tickets are R20. The performance lasts one hour, with no interval. Booking through Lebohang on 031 373 2194 or at the door.
COMING UP
lTHE PLAYHOUSE: The Durban University of Technology stages Rice-Webber’s iconic musical Evita from August 24-31. Directed by Professor Debbie Lutge, with costumes by Debbie Webster and Nellie Ngcongo, set design by Derek O’Toole, choreography by Mdu Mtshali and music direction by Madlen Tzankova, the cast features students cast from first, second and third year. Evita is traditionally a stage musical, but is also known as a film musical featuring Madonna, Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce. It features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Tickets are R60 throughout, and R20 concessions. Booking is through Computicket. For more info, contact Lebohang on 031 373 2194.
lELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Festival takes place from August 28 to September 8 and invites dance lovers and the public to explore the exceptional 12-day programme which is packed with events for all; nightly performances at the Sneddon Theatre, a special event JOMBA! City, the popular JOMBA! Fringe and JOMBA! Youth Fringe elements as well as free dance workshops with the leading choreographers. Brought to you by Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal). For bookings/queries call 031 260 2506.
lELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: The third Durban production of the year for Durban’s greatest theatrical export, KickstArt, presents a revival of their multi-award-winning production of Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from September 11-22, starring Lisa Bobbert. Booking for all KickstArt productions is through Computicket, and booking is now open. For block bookings of 10 or more, or sold performances, please contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: 083 250 2690 or [email protected]
• E-mail info to [email protected]; subject: Boardwalk, by noon on Thursday.