ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: Is it a Kangaroo, a Dinosaur or could it be Superman? No it’s Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist and a group of volunteers from his audience acting in strange weird and wonderful ways. Following his sold-out season in 2012 Andre returns to Durban’s Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from Fridaty to August 25. And at the Hexagon Theatre, Pmb, from August 27 to 31. Tickets for both shows can be purchased at Computicket at R90. Discount on production of a student card, pensioner’s card or under the age of 12, is R65.
THE HERITAGE THEATRE: The musical tribute Eagles – Taking It Easy ends on September 15. The show, which covers the musical meteoric rise to fame of the Eagles band during the early Seventies and Eighties 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 directed by Barry Thomson, Andy Turrell, Riaan Jacobsz and Shaun Dragt on guitars. There are three preview specials from tonight to Thursday where you can get the show and a three-course meal for only R165. Normal ticket prices are R195 Wednesday to Saturdays, and R165 Tuesday evenings and Sunday for the matinee and a two-course meal. Show only option is R120. Call 031 7654197.
RHUMBELOW THEATRE (PMB): In a new cabaret/revue, Anthony Stonier takes a look at life through the magic of music, singing his way through songs such as I Love a Piano, Teach Me Tonight, Mammy and My Way by composers such as Rogers and Hammerstein, Sondheim, Piaf, Kander and Ebb and many more. Catch Anthony at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Pietermaritzburg (Allan Wilson Shellhole, 5 Durban Rd) on August 11 at 2pm and 6.30pm. R100, R50 for under-12s. Bring picnic baskets. Book at Computicket or call 031 205 7602.
BAT CENTRE: Catch the Young Basadzi Women of The Poetry every Thursday. Experience the world of rhythm and poetry through the eyes of women. This venture provides a platform where women share their thoughts and ideas, communicate their frustrations and pains, aspirations and life’s resolutions while putting them down on paper. 5.30pm. Free. Call 031 332 0451.
THE BARNYARD THEATRE: Celebrate the music of some of the greatest pop icons – Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tina Turner, Pink and Freddie Mercury – with We are the Champions until August 25. The cast features Rainer Jadischke, Samantha Tirivacho, Jonothan Didlick, Danny Goodman, Andre Byleveld, Dylan van der Linde and Kirsty Madgin. R140 from Wednesday to Saturday, R105 every Tuesday night, R95 for the Sunday matinée. Bookings: 031 566 3045.
THE PLAYHOUSE: Written and directed by Ronnie Govender, Botoo, a piece based on Dr Devi Rajab’s book, Women South Africans of India Origin, premieres in The Loft theatre from August 8 to 17. Govender focuses on an interview the writer had with Dr Kesaveloo Gonum, a visionary and 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, students R35.
THE PLAYHOUSE: The Flatfoot Dance Company, celebrating their 10th anniversary, will present the first half of a high-energy dance double bill in the Playhouse Drama Theatre from August 8 to 11. With choreography by Lliane Loots, this piece entitled Hope features six dancers from this Durban dance company. The performance will see the dancers collaborate with Durban musician Shannon Hope.
Complementing this work is Imvula, choreographed by Christopher Kindo and performed by the Playhouse Dance Residency. It encapsulates the essence of rain and movement and is accompanied by a new classical contemporary creation by Kindo. Tickets for this double bill are R80, with students paying R35.
Take Five, the all-female ensemble of Shelley McLean, Tory Du Plessis, Tammy Saville, Haylea Hounsome and Chloe Clark, are set to play from August 9 to 18. They will perform harmony arrangements of contemporary music stars such as Adele and Avril Lavigne, some pop and musical theatre hits, classical, jazz and some timeless classics. Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 6.30pm. R100 at Computicket or call 031 057 602.
COMING UP
DUT COURTYARD THEATRE: The drama department at DUT is staging a one-act, three-hander farce, Anton Chekhov’s The Proposal, at the Courtyard Theatre, DUT, from August 12 to 16. Written by Russian Anton Chekhov in 1888-1889 and first performed in 1890, The Proposal (sometimes translated as The Marriage Proposal) tells the story of love, marriage, hypochondria and neighbourly disputes. The Proposal features three young actors from DUT, with lighting by Mthandazo Mofokeng and costume design by Elishah Eswardutt. Tickets :R20. Shows at 6pm for one hour. Bookings: Lebohang at 031 373 2194 or the door.
• E-mail all your theatre and production information to [email protected]; subject: Boardwalk, by Thursday noon.