ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: Go for broke with comedy legend Mark Banks, who is back in his one-man show, Banksrupt!, until November 24. The show incorporates stand-up comedy, sketches and video, making it one you can’t ignore. Wednesdays to Fridays at 7.30pm, Saturdays at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and Sundays at 6pm. R100 at Computicket. No under-13s.
BAT CENTRE: The Young Basadzi Women of Poetry meet every Thursday. Experience the world of rhythm and poetry through the eyes of women. This venture is a platform where women share their thoughts and ideas and communicate their pain, frustration, aspirations and resolutions while putting it all down on paper and in the spoken word. 5.30pm. Free. Call 031 332 0451.
OYSTER BOX HOTEL: On Friday, comedian Joe Parker headlines the Curry and Comedy event. The evening includes a three-course curry dinner and the show. R350. Parker’s cheeky defiance of all things politically correct, combined with innovative, provocative storytelling, makes this a show not to be missed. Booking is essential: 031 514 5000.
RIVETS BAR: Catch Thursday Live! every Thursday. The venue hosts comedians as well as live music acts, at 8pm. To book a table or for more info, call 031 336 8100.
HERITAGE THEATRE:5 Decades of Rock ends Sunday. This show covers five decades of the greatest rock songs and some of the best rock musos. Dawn Selby, Barry Thomson, Ross Tapson, Mali Sewell, Jason Andrew and Jerryn Fosteras will present the music. Tickets are R195 Wednesdays to Saturdays and R165 Tuesday nights and Sunday matinee. Prices include a two-course meal. Book by calling 031 765 4197.
VARIOUS VENUES: Pranesh Maharaj (Dingalings, film, TV and radio personality) reunites with Radio Hindvani’s Tamasha aur Masti duo, Anesh Dusrath and Vee Gani, in Yamla Pagla Diwana – a night of comedy, song and dance. The show also features Isidingo’s Lovie Ramasrai (Abhi Singh). Catch them in Pietermaritzburg on Friday; Port Shepstone on Saturday; Durban on November 23 and Stanger on November 30. Tickets are R50, unreserved, at Computicket. For more info, call Rashree at 074 699 2417.
The Zone, Suncoast Casino: Romeo and Juliet – an East Coast Story runs until December 31. The theatrical tradition of the saucy festive season adult panto continues – this time with the greatest love story ever told, Romeo and Juliet… except this version is probably not quite what Shakespeare had in mind. Expect a well-known story with a decidedly grown-up twist, a smorgasbord of well-known singalong songs, saucy ensembles, boisterous fun and a fair amount of risqué one-liners. Scripted, directed and choreographed by Darren King. Stars Katy Moore, Anthony Stonier, Rowan Bartlett, Clinton Smal, Thomie Holthausen, Jacobus van Heerden. Show starts 7.30pm. R150 to R500 at Computicket. Block bookings, party groups and enquiries: Ailsa at 083 250 2690 or [email protected]. No under-16s.
COMING UP
THE PLAYHOUSE, Opera: announces the staging of the original Jerome Robbins production of West Side Story from November 20 to December 29, featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
The South African creative team is headed by director Ralph Lawson with set and costume design by Sarah Roberts, choreography by Adele Blank lighting design by Michael Broderick, sound design by Trevor Peters and musical direction/repetiteur, Andrew Warburton. The production will have live accompaniment by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Lykele Temmingh (alternate conductor Naum Rousine).
The festive season comprises two previews on November 20 and 21, followed by 35 performances which include Saturday and Sunday matinees. R100 to R150, with concessions for students and pensioners at Computicket. Block bookings and packages are available at discounted rates. Call Dawn Haddon at 031 369 9456.
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: KickstArt present Jack and the Beanstalk. Runs November 29 to January 5. Written and directed by Steven Stead, it stars Rory Booth in the title role and features Jessica Sole as his love interest, Princess Jillian; Darren King as his long-suffering, eccentric mother, Flora Flatbroke; Liesl Coppin as his evil nemesis, Lady Perfidia Beastly; Shelley MacLean as the good fairy, Glissanda Goldenvox; and Peter Court and Bryan Hiles reprising their hilarious performances as the two incompetent crooks, Cecil and Claude.
Performances are 2.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays and 7pm on Saturdays. R100 to R200 at Computicket, and for block bookings of 10 or more, or sold performances and early bird specials, please contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places at 083 250 2690 or [email protected].
THE PLAYHOUSE: presents Mbongeni Ngema’s heroic story- telling narrative, The Zulu from December 3 to 29.
Directed by Christopher John and designed by Sarah Roberts.
Inspired by the tales Ngema first heard from his blind great-grandmother, Mkhulutshana Manqele, when he was growing up in the heart of rural Zululand, The Zulu celebrates his return to the stage as an actor for the first time in almost three decades. Tickets cost R150 Tuesdays to Thursdays and R200 Fridays to Sundays. Children, students, pensioners pay R80 at Computicket. 8pm Tuesdays to Saturdays and 3pm Sundays.
The Zone, Suncoast Casino:
Criss Cross Christmas runs from December 7 to 24. Clare Mortimer has penned this charming play especially for the young ones. It promises loads of laughter, song and dance, and enthusiastic children even get to be a part of the play with audience participation. Joining Mortimer for this comic story are actors Bryan Hiles (Peter Pan, Cinderella, Snow White, Rumpel-stiltskin) and Marc Kay (Jungle Book, Robin Hood, Peter Pan).
R50 at Computicket, the door, or call Ailsa at 083 250 2690. Performances are daily at 11am.
- To be listed in Boardwalk, please e-mail all your theatre- and production-related information to [email protected]; subject line: boardwalk, by Thursday afternoon.