Family-filled fun for the festive season

Published Nov 25, 2014

Share

WITH the end of the school year around the corner, TONIGHT put together a list of holiday entertainment for the young that starts as early as next week!

The Princess AND The Frog

Starting the festivities is Sandy Bigara’s new staging of the The Princess and the Frog.

Bigara has adapted the original Grimm story, peppering it with laughs, songs, dancing, action and drama.

True to the tale, Princess Applegreen is a spoilt princess who breaks her promises and only wants what she wants. During the play she learns to share, care, honour her words and be truthful.

The frog is also selfish and a little greedy. He is only concerned with breaking the curse placed on him by Asparagus the Crone. By the time the princess kisses him, he’s learnt the same lessons as the princess.

The frog and the princess follow their learning path with the help of the audience. Look out for the new addition to the tale: a villain who only has one thing on his mind… the princess’ golden ball.

The Princess and The Frog runs from Monday to January 1 with shows daily at 2.30pm. R80 for kids, R100 for adults (school bookings between Monday and December 10 at R60pp) at Computicket.

GROWING UP!

Aweh Theatre is ready to stage their annual end-of-year showcase. The academy is a free arts programme at St Theresa’s Home for Boys that has been running since last year, founded by Durban theatre actress and arts educator Shona Johnson.

The curriculum is exclusively created for about 30 orphans from the home and 10 children from neighbouring schools and the Sydenham community.

The kids express their views about life in Growing Up. Some of the issues voiced are peer pressure; growing up in a technological and social media environment; intense workloads at school; their insecurities regarding the opposite sex; anxiety caused by demanding parents and questions about the future and what they will be when they grow up.

Show stages on Monday from 5pm to 6pm at St Theresa’s Hall. R10 for adults; R5 for children, with all the proceeds going towards the sustainability of the academy. If you would like to assist or for more info, contact Johnson: 082 949 5247 or [email protected].

Dolphins by Starlight

This year’s show will take place between December 5 and 14. It will be produced and directed by Wayne R Scott and Charon Williams-Ros and is themed around popular singing greats Mary J Blige (played by Londiwe Dhlomo), Kenny G (Andrew Young) and Michael Buble (Lyle Buxton). uShaka’s dolphins will provide the splash and sparkle!

The show is packed with Christmas tunes for great sing-alongs. Local theatre favourites Peter Court and Lisa Bobbert will add to the family fun. The cast will be backed by a 12-piece band featuring the KZN Youth Choir, the Ocean Warrior Mascots and Father Christmas.

A collection box for new toys to be donated to the East Coast Radio Toy Story Campaign will be on site.

Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. R150 unreserved seating for adults and R120 for children between 3 and 12 years old at Computicket or call uShaka ticketing at 031 328 8000.

THRICE UPON A TIME

Join Marc Kay and Sarah Richard in the Actors Unemployed Company’s show Thrice Upon A Time. As Nigel and Casey, they will lead you through three fairytales: Three Billy Goats Gruff, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Little Pigs. But what happens when the stories start going wrong? To find out join them at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo.

The stories are all told using reading, acting, voice overs, music and shadow puppetry. After the show, join the team for a workshop on shadow puppetry.

Shows run 10am daily, from December 6 to 22. Thursday shows start at 2pm. R60 at Computicket or you can phone Roland at 082 499 8636.

Related Topics: