CATALINA THEATRE: South Africa’s zaniest Muslim stand-up comedians come together for a side-splittingly funny “haha-laal” comedy adventure. Make Salaam and Laugh, taking place from Friday to Sunday, features Masood Boomgaard and Yaaseen Barnes in a night of laughs suitable for the whole family. The comedy duo will look at the funny side of being Muslim in South Africa, while also delving in everyday life issues and talking points such as the economy, crime, elections, sports, married life and everything in between. 8pm. Tickets: from R100 at Shoprite and Computicket.
ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: Durban’s KickstArt Productions’ mini-musical-comedy, Snoopy: The Musical, based on the much-loved Peanuts comic strip, runs until August 23. With direction by Steven Stead and Charon Williams-Ros, musical direction by Justin Southey, and design by Greg King, Snoopy features all the familiar cartoon characters. Carol Trench plays the headstrong and outspoken Lucy; Bryan Hiles is the cartoon’s protagonist, the melancholic, and misunderstood Charlie Brown; Stead plays Charlie Brown’s eccentric pet dog, Snoopy; Caitlin Kilburn is the upbeat tomboy Peppermint Patty; Graeme Wicks is Lucy’s brother, the insecure Linus, Katy Moore as the ditzy Sally Brown and Evashnee Pillay is Snoopy’s silent sidekick, the small yellow bird, Woodstock. Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm; Saturday at 1.30pm; Sunday at 1.30pm. R200, R150, R130 and R180, R130, R110 (under-12s and pensioners) at Computicket. Age restriction is PG6.
SIBAYA IZULU THEATRE: Ronnie Govender’s hit ’80s comedy, Your Own Dog Won’t Bite You, stars Rahul Brijnath and runs from August 20 to 23. Rahul plays successful Reservoir Hills businessman, Jimmy Jugmohun. Jimmy own several trucks which are sometimes parked in the driveway of his Spanish-style home on Bologna Crescent, Reservoir. He runs his business from an office in his lounge. Lately, his trucks keep breaking down. That’s not the only problem. His wife, Madhu, is a hypochondriac and convinced that the doctor’s medicines can’t help her. His son, Baboo, has been neglecting his studies and is in love with “a tickey-line white girl”, as Madhu puts it. She believes that a jealous family member has bewitched the family so she calls in an exorcist, much to Jimmy’s opposition. What follows is riotous comedy. Book at Computicket and Shoprite/ Checkers outlets.
DUT COURTYARD THEATRE: Durban University of Technology and the Department of Drama and Production Studies present Spirit and Bones. An energetic, thought-provoking yet amusing musical tale by Thapelo “Mthakathi” Motloung, it is directed by DUT’s lecturer Siza Mthembu with musical direction by Sizwe Nzimande of Ukhozi FM’s soapie Kusa Kusa. “Spirit and Bones is about abangoma (traditional healers). The production addresses the uninformed stigma often attached to traditional healers, and aims to correct the mistaken perception of them as witchdoctors who are evil and unholy,” says director Siza Mthembu. The production runs from Thursday to Sunday at 7pm. R40 (adults), R20 (students and pensioners).
PLAYHOUSE COMPANY: August is Women's Month and there’s no better way to celebrate than feasting yourself on the fine drama, dance, dialogue, music and entertainment on offer at the annual Playhouse Company’s SA Women’s Festival (SAWAF) in Durban. This year’s festival takes on added significance as 2015 has been named the African Union’s year on women empowerment and The Playhouse Company is proud to be playing its own critical role in the whole campaign. Playhouse chief executive and artistic director, Linda Bukhosini, says she is excited about the eclectic mix at SAWAF this year. “Audiences will be inspired and entertained by a host of powerful, award-winning stage productions, some of which have enjoyed critical and phenomenal acclaim both here and abroad. Add to this mix a mouth-watering programme of dance dramas, a gala concert featuring some of the biggest names in the music business, slam poetry, musical entertainment, children's theatre, panel discussions, and you have a festival that caters for a wide variety of tastes and all members of the family. The festival will focus very sharply and purposefully on the issues that impact on the advancement and empowerment of women, and the role women continue to play in our new democracy.” Runs from Friday to August 22. For more information about this festival, visit www.playhousecompany.com
COMING UP
CATALINA THEATRE: Stand by for some great entertainment when the Warrick Frank Drama Academy presents What a Crack! – a new stage comedy which runs at Durban’s Catalina Theatre, Wilson’s Wharf, from August 27 to 30. Audiences can expect a blend of “East Meets West” in modern-day Durban in this fun-filled family stage four-hander co-written by Courtney Smith and Warrick Frank, who also directs the piece. Drawing on personal experiences, the show’s creators conjure up a scenario in which disparate backgrounds unite in an explosive clash of cultures. Tickets are R100 at Computicket outlets.
SIBAYA IZULU THEATRE: Pagla Comedy Nite is stand-up comedy show featuring Mervyn Pillay, Rahul Brijnath, Arnott Payne, Anesh Dusrath and Vee Ganie. Get ready for laughter and more laughter with loads of comedy featuring the “Famous Five”. The show is for lovers of stand-up comedy, showcasing Durban’s brand of comedy. Durban is fast becoming the factory for churning out great comics who eventually get to ply their trade in the bigger cities like Cape Town and Joburg. This show will take you on a hilarious trip showcasing culture, politics, sport and all things that make South Africa funny. The show carries a 16 age restriction and promises to keep the audiences laughing all the way home. Runs on August 28 and 29. Tickets are R120 at Computicket.
l To be listed in Boardwalk, please e-mail all theatre and venue-related information to valencia.govindasamy@ gmail.com; subject line: boardwalk, by Thursday afternoon for publication on the following Tuesday.