TINA’S HOTEL IN KLOOF: First staged seven years ago at the defunct Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest, Durban’s longest running comedy cabaret group the Gee Jays will be presenting Bad Moon Rising from Friday to Sunday. The Gee Jays pay tribute to the music of Credence Clearwater Revival and all things redneck. The show will be presented in supper theatre format. Supper will be served from 7pm. The show starts at 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday and on Sunday, lunch (carvery lunch) is from 12.30pm with the show starting at 2pm.Tickets are R185 for the meal and show. Show only option available at R120. Bookings at 031 764 7843.
THE BARNYARD THEATRE: Born To Be Wild is a tribute to the wildest rock stars and rock anthems. It runs until August 31. The show covers 60 years of music as it rediscovers rock classics. Tickets are R145 from Wednesday to Saturday, with discounted specials of R110 every Tuesday night and R100 for the Sunday matinee. For bookings and enquiries, phone the theatre at 031 566 3045 or visit www.barnyard theatres.co.za/gateway. For further information e-mail gateway@ barnyardtheatres.co.za
DURBAN CITY HALL: Mamma Mia Musical. The red carpet is being rolled out for this royal affair. The high-class banquet styled seating complements the snacks and beverages. Mamma Mia is set to take place for one night only on Saturday at 7pm. For table bookings, contact 073 372 5956 and gallery seating booking is through Computicket at 083 915 8000 or Shoprite stores.
SEABROOKE’S THEATRE: Oom Schalk Lourens tells a few tales, short and tall, of his experiences in Groot Marico at the Seabrooke’s Theatre in Oom Schalk, from The Heart running until Saturday. Five of Bosman’s most celebrated and superbly entertaining tales feature: the whimsical Veld Maiden; the touching in the Withaak’s Shade; the hilarious A Bekkersdal Marathon; The Gramophone, a macabre tale about a hot-headed husband, and Willem Prinsloo’s Peach Brandy. Show runs Tuesdays to Saturdays. Performances at 7pm. Tickets are R80, with discounts for block bookings, pensioners and students. To book, call Ailsa at 083 250 2690.
CATALINA THEATRE: Catalina Unlimited presents 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 rounding up the cast. Our Man Clint is a musical revue with comedy, mystery, stray bullets and adventure, woven together by an intriguing story. Show ends August 3 (no shows on Mondays and Tuesdays). Tickets are R120 at Computicket. Enquiries: 031 837 5999 or e-mail [email protected]
RHUMBELOW THEATRE: Following on from last year’s fun variety concert, The Family Players have decided to put The Ultimate Variety Show on the annual calendar. A cast of 11 present some music, opera, comedy drag, magic, singing and dancing in a fun evening featuring Belinda Dolphin, Roland Stansell, Derek Pearce, Greg Baptie and Charel Haasbroek. Invited guests include Sarah Mcfarland, Donnavan von der Vaylle, Nathalie Theron, Ross Charles and a young brother and sister team, Ethan and Jenna Dunk. Show takes place Friday to Sunday. Tickets are R120 (R100 for pensioners and tables of eight or more). Bring picnic baskets. Book through Computicket or e-mail [email protected]
COMING UP
VARIOUS SCHOOLS: David Muller’s Imagining Einstein is set to tour KZN schools from Monday to August 8. The Merry Scholar, alias Cape Town actor David Muller, returns to KZN with Imagining Einstein, a play about Albert Einstein covering his life, his science and the world during his time. The play is witty and informative and has been well received wherever it has been staged. In 2005, the International Year of Physics, it was experienced by more than 30 000 students in southern Africa. The duration of the play, which is geared for school pupils in grades 10 to 12, is 60 minutes with audience participation. Performances cost R4 000.
Discounts apply to performances that are confirmed as a result of introduction by another school. To book a performance of Imagining Einstein for your school, or for further information, call Muller at 072 986 5311 or e-mail [email protected]
WESTVILLE BOYS’ HIGH: The school takes flight with its headline production for the year, the popular Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Directed by Luke Holder and choreographed by Fiona Barnes, the show combines a wide variety of musical styles; everything from country to calypso to rock ‘n’ roll, in a series of memorable musical numbers.
Performances run from Tuesday July 29 until Sunday, August 10. Tickets available through the school at 031 267 1330.
THE PLAYHOUSE: Celebrated Russian composer Tchaikovsky created the music for three of the world’s most loved and enduring ballets – 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 which features excerpts from both Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. It is choreographed by Yury Vetrov, former director of the Bolshoi Ballet. Stars of the Ballet Russia comes to Durban for two shows on August 5 and 6 at the Playhouse Opera theatre. The programme includes Acts 2 and 4 from Swan Lake, the pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty and the grand pas from Paquita. Tickets from R150 to R280. There are a limited number of tickets at R100 for pensioners and children under 12. Tickets at Computicket.
ELIZABETH SNEDDON THEATRE: From the company that brought Durban the dark and smouldering grown-up musical, Cabaret, comes Sweeney Todd. This musical thriller by American theatrical genius, Stephen Sondheim, features one of the greatest music theatre scores ever written. It tells the outlandish tale of urban legend, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, who famously murdered his clients in his barber’s chair, whereafter his whacky neighbour, and partner in crime, Mrs Lovett, turned them into meat pies. This KickstArt production stars Jason Ralph in the title role, and local favourite Charon Williams-Ros as Mrs Lovett. Others in the cast include Lyle Buxton, Sanli Jooste, Bryan Hiles, Richard Salmon, Danilo Antonelli, Liesl Coppin and Darren King. Directed by Steven Stead, with set designs by Greg King. Shows run from August 8 to 24. Bookings at Computicket.
• To be listed in Boardwalk, e-mail all theatre-related information to [email protected]; subject line: boardwalk, by Thursday.