Latoya Newman
WITH PLENTY of festive family entertainment over the long weekend, there’s no excuse for boredom.
Kicking things off is Fairytale Rocks, a family musical, which opens at iZulu Theatre at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment World on April 17.
Get lost on a journey where Alistar finds his princess, the beautiful Ariana, with a host of Disney and Pixar classic songs weaved into the script – think Aladdin, Cinderella, Toy Story, The Jungle Book, Frozen and more.
Musician/actor Steve Peralto plays Alistar, with Xania Osorio as Ariana and 2010 Top Ten Idols performer Boki Ntsime as Farryl.
Tonight caught up with Osorio, who makes her debut in a major musical with this show. She said Fairytale Rocks offers lots of fun for the young – and young at heart. “I have younger brothers and sisters and the show takes a lot of older Disney songs as well as some of the new hits. It’s something fun that allows kids to dream and imagine and see that fairytales can be fun.”
You’ll also catch performers Rethabile Sefodi, Jeremia Banda, Monique Bouwer, Ayanda Mthimkhulu, Lyrinda Venter and Megan Black in the musical, which also features a live band with Marc Wilson on drums, Daniel Robson on guitar and brother Doultan Robson on bass.
Presented in association with East Coast Radio, the show runs from April 17 to 19. Bookings through Computicket. Tickets are R150.
Here’s a glance at some of the other events taking place over the Easter Weekend.
UMHLANGA EASTER FESTIVAL
(April 18-21)
This fun-filled festival will be providing interesting day and evening activities for young and old. The uMhlanga beaches will have daily activations happening from April 18 to 21 on the Main Beach. Families will be entertained with a variety of fun and games on the stage and beach, daily from 10am until 2pm with talent competitions, children’s sing-alongs and games.
Easter Sunday will be celebrated with a giant Easter Egg Hunt as well as appearances from local celebrities, including Miss uMhlanga. These activities will take place on uMhlanga Main Beach and on the Millennium Beach Stage.
The uMhlanga Liberty Summer Festival Trail Run 5km, 12km and 18km Trail Run and Walk takes place on April 20 at 6am, as part of the festival. For more information contact [email protected]
USHAKA MARINE WORLD EASTER EGG HUNT (April 19-20)
On April 19 and 20, the Easter Bunny will be hopping, bopping and stowing away chocolate treasures at uShaka Marine World as part of Beacon Africa’s largest Easter egg hunt. A total of 100 000 Beacon marshmallow eggs (or tokens) will be hidden in nooks and crannies across the continent’s largest marine theme park. Each child entering the park, will receive a goody bag with a Easter treasure map featuring a number of exciting clues, which draw attention to the many animals housed at the park.
On both days, the hunt begins at 7am and ends with a special Easter Dolphin Show at 8.30am, starring Delia the Dolphin, Slippy the Seal, Rusty the Penguin and Raggy the Shark, as well as the Easter Bunny and uShaka’s world-famous dolphins.
Tickets are R110 per person from uShaka Marine World ticketing or Computicket. Early booking advised.
EASTER AT CROW
(Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Yellowwood Park)
Family fun and Easter-themed activities in aid of wildlife take place on April 20 between 10.30am and 1.30pm, including an Easter egg hunt, jumping castle, egg painting, clown show and lucky draw. Adults pay R40, children under-12 pay R30. Booking essential.
DURBAN CHRISTIAN CENTRE (Jesus Dome)
The play One Week and Forever After is a fast-moving adaptation of the last week in the life of Jesus Christ which will be presented at the Durban Christian Centre’s Jesus Dome over the Easter weekend.
With a cast of 200, the play features specially written music and songs, as well as colourful dance scenes. Shows are on Friday and Saturday at 7pm, and Sunday at 6pm. Tickets are available at the church or at the door for R30 each.