CATALINA THEATRE: Dingalings Productions present Snow White. This children’s classic promises all the magic and romance of the fairy tales. Featuring Koobeshen Naidoo, Henry Ramkissoon, Senzo Mthethwa, Nirvana Naidoo, Katinga Buserelo, Nickiel Ramkissoon and Yuvaan Naidoo. The show is on at 11am daily until July 19. R60 at Computicket. An option of a boat ride around the harbour and a meal at a restaurants at the wharf (at an extra cost). Call the theatre at 031 837 5999.
ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: Directed by Themi Venturas, the 14th annual Pansa Young Performers production is Footloose, which runs until Sunday. Venturas reunites with Daisy Spencer (choreographer) and Des Govender (vocal coach). Joining them as musical director is Luke Holder. There are low-price previews on July 27 at 7.30pm; July 28 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and July 29 at 2pm. Early booking is recommended at Computicket. For block bookings, sold performances and fund-raisers,: Ailsa Windsor at 083 250 2690 or editor.goingplacessa @gmail.com.
RHUMBELOW THEATRES (PMB and DBN): Christmas in July: join Marion Loudon and The Reals for a show designed to knock the “stuff” out of “stuffiness” with a line-up of rock and pop classics from yesteryear, ‘Tis Not the Season sees The Reals (Barry Thomson on guitar, with musical director Dawn Selby on keyboards, Mali Sewell on drums and Jason Andrew on bass guitar) and Loudon on vocals.
Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; Sunday at 2pm and 6.30pm at the Durban theatre. R120, R100 pensioners, tables of eight or more. Bring picnic baskets. Book at Computicket or e-mail [email protected].
VARIOUS VENUES: Durban’s infamous Karou Charou continues touring his one-man show, Maha Dhir. Expect “a Bollywood movie, only shorter… and without subtitles”; and a show that is “not recommended for sensitive viewers, with no pulse”. A mix of comedy, music, dance and hypnosis. Runs Sunday at Emperors Palace in Joburg, July 18 in Port Shepstone and August 2 in Ladysmith. Tickets at Computicket. PG18.
THE BARNYARD THEATRE: Time Warp ends July 20 and combines the music of iconic rock stars with the drama of Broadway and the glamour of Hollywood. It follows Dotty when she lands on the stage after being caught in a time warp. This leads her down the musical yellow brick road in her search for fame. First, the time warp whisks her to the 1950s with music from The Buddy Holly Story. Then she gets ready for the soundtracks from Dirty Dancing, Saturday Night Fever and Grease before paying homage to rock stars with We Will Rock You and Rock of Ages and finally moving on to the sounds of Burlesque and Moulin Rouge. R145 Wednesday to Saturday, R110 Tuesday night and R100 Sunday matinee. Bookings, enquiries: 031 566 3045.
COMING UP
SEABROOKE’S THEATRE: Fresh from last year’s National Arts Festival, David Muller’s stage celebration of Herman Charles Bosman stories comes to Durban. Have you told your child a story today? If not, perhaps you should come and listen to Oom Schalk Lourens as he tells tales of his experiences in the Groot Marico in Oom Schalk, from The Heart, running from July 15 to 26. Five of Bosman’s most celebrated tales feature the whimsical Veld Maiden; the touching In the Withaak's Shade; the hilarious Bekkersdal Marathon; The Gramophone, a macabre tale centred on a hot-headed husband, and Willem Prinsloo’s Peach Brandy. Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7pm. R80 with discounts for block bookings, pensioners and students. To book, call Ailsa at 083 250 2690.
CATALINA THEATRE: Catalina Unlimited present Our Man Clint, a comedy musical revue written and directed by Verne Rowin Munsamy, with musical direction by, and starring, Clinton Philander. The show features Amanda Kunene on vocals with dancers Lisa Heathman and Nadine Oberholzer. Our Man Clint is a musical revue with comedy, mystery, stray bullets and adventure all rolled into one. July 17 to August 3 (no show on Mondays and Tuesdays). R120 at Computicket. Call 031837 5999 or e-mail [email protected].
RHUMBELOW THEATRE: The South African Magical Society presents two shows. Catch Gee-Wizz on July 19 at 8pm. Six magicians and entertainers and guests, with dancers, will perform magic, comedy, illusions, songs, dance and poi. Directed and co-ordinated by Ricki Gray and Bennie Mathee, the show is for all ages.
Fun-tasia, on July 20, aims to entertain the young and young at heart. Four children’s entertainers, including Rhumbelow regular Adi Paxton, aka Cherry the Magical clown, as MC, will join performers for comedy, magic and illusion. The production is co-ordinated by Adrian Smith, aka Adrian the Magician. R120, pensioners and block bookings R100. Children (under 13) R60. Bring picnic baskets. Book at Computicket or call 031 205 7602.
RHUMBELOW THEATRE: The Family Players present The Ultimate Variety Show. A cast of 11 present music, opera, comedy drag, magic, singing and dancing. July 25 to 27. R120, R100 pensioners and tables of eight or more). Bring picnic baskets. Book at Computicket or [email protected].
VARIOUS SCHOOLS: Imagining Einstein will tour KZN schools from July 28 to August 8. The Merry Scholar, alias Cape Town actor David Muller, returns with a play about Albert Einstein covering his life, his science and the world during his time. The hour-long play is geared for grades 10 to 12. Performances cost R4 000. Discounts apply to performances that are confirmed as a result of introduction by another school. To book, or for more info, call Muller at 072 986 5311 or e-mail [email protected].
WESTVILLE BOYS HIGH: Westville Boys’ High School present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Directed by Luke Holder and choreographed by Fiona Barnes, the show combines country, calypso and rock ‘n’ roll. Featuring a 21-piece orchestra and a 50-member children’s choir under the direction of Annette Louw, Joseph is set to make your family’s dreams come true. July 29 to August 10. Tickets are available through the school: 031 267 1330.
THE PLAYHOUSE: Russian composer Tchaikovsky created the music for Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. His legacy will live on when Stars of the Ballet Russia tour South Africa next month with a programme of excerpts from Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Choreographed by Yury Vetrov, former director of the Bolshoi Ballet, the programme will also feature excerpts from Paquita. Runs August 5 and 6. R150 to R280. There are a limited number of tickets at R100 for pensioners and children under 12 at Computicket. 7.30pm.
ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: Sweeney Todd. This musical thriller by Stephen Sondheim features one of the greatest music theatre scores written. It tells the tale of urban legend, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, who murdered his clients in his barber chair, whereafter his whacky neighbour Mrs Lovett turned them into meat pies. Stars Jason Ralph in the title role, and Charon Williams-Ros as Mrs Lovett. Others include Lyle Buxton, the Joburg soprano, Sanli Jooste, Bryan Hiles, Richard Salmon, Danilo Antonelli, Liesl Coppin and Darren King. Directed by Steven Stead, with set designs by Greg King, and costumes designs by Neil Stuart Harris. August 8 to 24. Book at Computicket.
HILTON COLLEGE: The 22nd annual Witness Hilton Arts Festival offers a bumper Jongosi schools arts festival embedded in the main festival, for high schools and primary schools. It will take place on the grounds of the Hilton College from September 18 to 21, with Jongosi taking place over Thursday, September 18, for primary schools and the next day for high schools. The festival starts with a programme of age-specific arts events aimed at schools. Teachers are asked to book early: primary schools day costs R198 a head; high schools is R330 a head. The business community is invited to sponsor a group of under-privileged pupils to attend the Jongosi days. Support this initiative and get on to the mailing list by contacting Sheryl: [email protected] so that you receive the programme by August 1. For details visit www.hiltonfestival.co.za.
• To be listed, e-mail all theatre-related information to [email protected]; subject line: boardwalk, by Thursday.