CATALINA THEATRE, Wilson’s Wharf: Lollipop Lane: The Big Biscuit Bake-Off stages from Friday to Sunday. Due to public demand, Clinton Marius’s record-breaking radio comedy, Lollipop Lane, morphs into a serialised stage show – bringing back to life the whacky gallery of folk from the block of flats where the lift doesn’t quite go to the top floor. Scripted by Marius and directed by Caroline Smart, the series will be staged as a bi-monthly theatrical radio comedy, performed before a live audience. The new venture will be broadcast on Tape Aids for the Blind’s DStv channel. Starring Pauline Dalais and Sivani Chinappan, with Kajal Bagwandeen, Hamish Kyd, Mpume Mthombeni, Tom Read, Mayuri Naidu and Caroline Smart. 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm Sunday matinee. R100 at Computicket.
THE BARNYARD THEATRE: Go back in time with ‘80s Rewind until January 11. Lunchtime shows (at 1.30pm) have been added and an evening performance on Monday, December 15 and the popular Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve shows. Bookings: 031 566 3045 or see www.barnyardtheatres.co.za/gateway or e-mail gateway@ barnyardtheatres.co.za.
STABLE THEATRE: An innovative new opera – The Last Anniversary – the culmination of creative input from five countries, currently being staged in Budapest, will tour to the Stable Theatre in Durban and the Market Theatre in Joburg this month. This is an operatic drama which tells of the tribulations of an African traveller in a European airport. While a suspended traveller, his emotional memory takes him back to moments in a “slavery past” which are excerpts from the Meyerowitz/Hughes opera. Co-artistic directors Laurent Festas (France) and Themi Venturas (SA) have assembled a cast drawn from all five countries. Runs in Durban on Thursday and Friday. Book at Computicket.
COMING UP
IZULU THEATRE: Bhagwan Gave Me This Life, written and directed by Vivian Moodley and starring Pranesh Maharaj, stages from October 31 to November 2 with shows at 8pm on Friday, 7pm on Saturday and 2pm and 6pm on Sunday. Set in 1981 in Inanda, the story is about a widower, Balram, whom the audience meet at a major turning point in his life. He reminisces about his colourful past, his marriage, his life as a corporate worker, and plays out the characters amid song and dance. R120 at Computicket, Checkers and the box office.
CATALINA THEATRE: Thabiso Radebe’s 7-inch Stilettos, a sequel to High Heels with Balls, sees Radebe and Sisanda Tshali collaborating with fine artist Sphephelo Mnguni. 7-inch Stilettos focuses on Joyani Maqa, a 25-year-old homosexual who chooses a path that destroys him. He flees home after his family has been murdered. Living on the streets, he’s involved in the sex trade, drug use and murder. His choices have become a burden to him as he seeks a better future. Produced and directed by Radebe. October 31 and November 1 at 7pm. R60 at Computicket or at the box office. No under-15 (VNL).
Pattundeen Theatre (Aryan benevolent homes – Chatsworth): The Natya Kalalayam – Academy of Music and Dance will stage Samyuktam, a kathak and bharat natyam dance performance by Shri Manesh Maharaj and Srimati Yshrene Moodley. November 1 at 5.30pm and on November 2 at Truro Hall (Pieter-maritzburg) at 5pm. Produced and directed by Guru Srimati Kantharuby Munsamy, Samyuktam juxtaposes two of India’s most cherished classical dance forms, highlighting their similarities and differences. R60 at the door. Call 082 422 6865.
IZULU THEATRE: Dingalings Productions brings a double comedy bill with The Return of the Boolulu Uncle and The Long and the Short of It packed into one show. The Return of the Boolulu Uncle is a sequel to Boolulu Uncle. Senzo Mthethwa takes his audience on a journey through more episodes in his life as a Zulu boy growing up in an Indian home. The Long and the Short of It is a stand-up comedy show that features Koobeshen Naidoo and Henry Ramkissoon who are renowned for their zany comedy. The double bill carries a 13 age restriction. Shows are 8pm on Friday, 5pm and 8pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday. R140 at Computicket, Shoprite/Checkers and the box office.
SUNCOAST CASINO: The Durban tradition of adult panto continues. Cinderella is the world’s most favourite pantomime. Gone is Cinderella – and Sinderella – as well as Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother. Enter Sinder-Fella, Princess Charming and the Fairy Godfather. The team is back with some new additions: Anthony Stonier (whose legs are a World Heritage site) and Clinton Small (last year’s surfer dude) play the Ugly Sisters; Thomie Holtzhausen is the Fairy Godfather and Katy Moore (last year’s Juliet) as Princess Pandora Hugetit of Ballito. Joining them for the first time are Rowin Munsamy as the Princess’s loyal supporter, Button, and Mpilo “Straw” Nzimanade as Sinder-Fella. Opens 11 November until December 30 . For group bookings and other specials, contact Ailsa at [email protected] or 083 250 2690
SUNCOAST CASINO: Madame Zingara returns to dazzle once again with their After Forever Tour. Housed in one of the last remaining antique mirror-tents in the world, the After Forever Tour is filled with exceptional local and international acts. The tour starts at the end of January. For bookings, call 0861 623 263 or e-mail [email protected]. Tickets range from R390 to R495 a person depending on seating area. VIP party packages and overnight stays are also available.
• To be listed in Boardwalk, please e-mail all your theatre and production-related information to [email protected]; subject line: boardwalk, by Thursday afternoon.