Diamond Jubilee Gala Concert in aid of SA guide Dogs for the Blind

The blind 8-year old opera star, Rochelle Veenemans, will open the Diamond Jubilee Gala Concert in aid of SA Guide Dogs for the Blind next Wednesday night with the aria O mio babbino caro, one of Puccini’s best known compositions from the opera Gianni Schicchi.

Rochelle is the granddaughter of South African opera diva Barbara Veenemans. She is currently a Grade 2 learner at the Prinshof School for the Visually Impaired. Rochelle was a premature baby and weighed only 970 grams at her birth. It was later determined that she became blind whilst she was placed in ICU for the duration of three months. Rochelle was exposed at an early age to music and soon it was discovered that she has a special music talent. She made her solo debut at the age of four with the famous tenor Manual Escorcio, singing songs such as You raise me up and Tomorrow from the musical Annie. She is a regular performer at charity events, children’s music theatre productions and she also performs regularly with her aunt, opera singer Michelle Veenemans. She frequently competes at various Eisteddfods to great acclaim and in 2012 received an additional special award from the National Eisteddfod Academy for her brilliant rendition of Bach’s aria, Bist du bei mir for Grade 1 learners. As a result, she was invited to perform at the Young Performers Showcase at the Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria. In 2013, she gave her first radio interview for RSG Kuns and they also aired one of the recordings.

The concert is being given at the Joburg Theatre and ticket prices range from R150, R250, R350, R450 and R550 – with 20 seats at a R1000 each in the Mayoral Box. Bookings can be made through www.joburgtheatre.com or by phoning the Call Centre on 0861 670 670.

Snitch a night at TWITCH!

So, a paleoanthropologist, a mining engineer, a marketing executive and a housewife walk into a birding hide... when good birding goes bad.

And so,Twitch, the world premiere of a new South African comedy by Robert Fridjhon, about two harassed couples in a bird hide over a birding weekend comes to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre from 12 June!

Starring Michael Richard, Louise Saint-Claire, Bronwyn Gottwald and Russel Savadier, the play will be directed by Steven Stead and Charmaine Weir-Smith and designed by Greg King, with lighting design by Tina le Roux.

Four twitchers in a bird-hide, somewhere in the Kruger National Park, are taking part in a major birding competition. The first prize is a trip to Mala-Mala, the second prize a new pair of binoculars. Furthermore, the team is fighting for their club's reputation as well as the prestigious Owl Award. The pleasantries and social formalities slowly begin to unravel with outrageous consequences when uncomfortable truths are revealed about the birding club, its members and, more specifically, the characters in the birding hide.

Refinement and courtesy degenerate into irrelevant and often childlike bickering as the foursome argue evolution versus creation, man versus nature and the merits of a low-carb diet!

Twitch writer, multi award-winning Robert Fridjhon has been on the stage for over 20 years; from Shakespeare to musical theatre, comedy to drama. Recently he starred in Travels with my Aunt, Boeing Boeing, A Perfect Wedding, Funny Business, The Mousetrap (which toured to Hong Kong at the end of 2012).

Fridjhon worked full-time for FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in 2006. The majority of the cases he worked on involved birds. As a passionate conservationist, he is pledging a percentage of his royalty fee to FreeMe. He was recently involved in a lion rescue and rehabilitation programme at the Krugersdorp Rhino & Lion Park, where he raised three of his own lions.

TWITCH

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

12 June – 14 July

Booking through Computicket & Theatre Box Office (011) 511 1818

Performances: Wed – Fri @ 8pm, Sat @ 5pm & 8pm, Sun @ 3pm

Tickets: R160, R120, R100

Please find attached cast pics by Suzy Bernstein

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Please forward all Media requests to mark@montetheatre.co.za

Great University Dance Production

The University of Johannesburg's new dance drama production of Desdemona is based on Shakespeare's Othello but, told from the heroine's viewpoint. It is an absolutely breathtaking and, also inspiring to know that young people are prepared to work that hard and perform their hearts out for an audience. And, even more so, if one takes into account that choreographer/ director Owen Lonzar had four weeks within which to create a work of such outstanding impact!

 

The story is set in a modern-day university environment and Lonzar works here with UJ students who have no dance experience (the university does not offer dance, drama or music) and who are joined by some students from the National School of the Arts and also two professional male dancers. The achievement thus deserves much more than even the standing ovation it got last night - I regrettably missed opening night last Friday.

Despite the obvious limitations of budget and skills Lonzar faces in this university production, he doesn't compromise and challenges the dancers to the very limits of their capabilities. The set is an inverted rehash of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ which he directed for UJ last year – and it works extremely well! The overall result is a contemporary work of great drama which incorporates many variations of contemporary dance but never denies balletic influences. Lonzar uses jazz, hip hop, street, swing and a plethora of modern forms to create different moods and convey different messages. For instance, in the tango he brilliantly shows Othello's intensity and Desdemona's devotion while subtly portraying the jealousy, subdued anger and betrayal which lies just below the surface. The choreography from this section is brilliantly mirrored in the final moments of the plo’s unfolding.

And, while the story originally was created for the word, throughout this dance production, Lonzar very successfully manages to illustrate the central theme of Shakespeare's drama; That love, while filled with passion and eternal hope, can carry very different interpretations and meanings for the different characters in the plot.

Lonzar also weaves a subtext into the production - in this instance particularly the abuse of women. This makes the work very relevant to the South African context and the messages it conveys are pertinent and educational. From the very beginning he juxtaposes the differences between the sexes, with the girls who are cooperative and supportive in their groups and the boys who are competitive and with a need to display their strength and dominance. This is really innovative choreography and I will go as far as to say that not since Esther Nasser premiered PULA last year (arguably with South Africa's most outstanding professional contemporary company) have we seen such relevant choreography.

It would be a real pity if Lonzar isn't given the opportunity of presenting this dance drama with a professional company sometime in the future. If with students he managed to create this kind of magic, I am confident that with the strengths a professional dance company offers, he could recreate a work that will hold its own with the best that dance has to offer.

I have been wholly unimpressed with most of the dance presentations Johannesburg got bombarded with last year. With the exception of a few, there was really was little quality going around. The University of Johannesburg can justifiably be proud of this dance presentation as it showcases all the values the institution stands for and also puts in place new demands for raising the standards in many a professional company in this city.

As mentioned earlier in this review, last year Lonzar also directed ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ using mostly UJ amateur students and the minimum of professionals. At the time I remarked that his production of ‘Little Shop’ was the best musical production we had on a Johannesburg stage during 2012. What a pity that the Naledi Awards ignored the show.

Royal comedy flush

Multi-coloured Tupperware, inappropriate cousins, anecdotes straight out of the Cape Flats and quite possibly a prank or two is what Kings and Queens of Comedy promises to showcase on Sunday, April 28 at Emperors Palace, Centre Court.

Marc Lottering

Brought to you by Blu Blood, the Kings and Queens of Comedy is South Africa’s leading comedy brand and is set to dominate Johannesburg with its side-splitting comedy line-up funny enough to evoke a giggle even from the most serious South Africans.

Barry Hilton

The show introduces the first international “Queen” to be hosted, Ava Vidal, widely regarded to be the UK’s funniest woman. As one of Britain’s top comediennes, she brings international flair to this world-class act. Vidal will have to contend with the likes of Cape Town’s hearty Tupperware Aunty, Mel Jones and Angel Campey, a figure who reckons she is way too pretty to be a comedian. These leading ladies have practised their Queen’ wave and are ready to show their male counterparts which sex can tickle funny bones the most.



As typical kings with considerable power and influence – albeit in the comedy fraternity – the likes of South Africa’s most famous cousin Barry Hilton, the Cape Flats’ Marc Lottering, the infamous Trevor Gumbi, the rebel Robbie Collins, the politically incorrect but entirely Halaal funny boy Simmi Afrif, and the biggest prankster of them all: 94.7 Highveld’s Darren “Whackhead” Simpson have all passed laws declaring themselves the funnier sex. And as if that’s not enough of a side-splitting offering, the performance will be loosely held together by the impeccably funny Joey Rasdien, who will fulfil the role of MC.



As seasoned jesters who are accustomed to witnessing audiences tear up as they deliver comedy with wit and relevance, these kings and queens of comedy swear that the ticket price to the show (starting from R160 and available from Computicket) might seem like a joke, but it is probably the most serious fact of the night. In these times of recession, nowhere else will you be able to take in 10 big names on one stage for such a steal, even if you tried!



As the ministry of laughter, this monarch not only promises but will deliver on a diverse mix of culturally relevant, observational and thoroughly funny comedy that will leave audiences willing to vote for them for another term.



Happening during the Freedom Day weekend at Emperors Palace, the Kings and Queens of Comedy is going to demonstrate just how far the nation’s comedians have come in the last 19 years since independence, proving that they have the mettle to go head-to-head with the world’s finest. Not only that, but these local comedians are going to prove once and for all that they have the ability of uniting the nation through the best medicine of them all: laughter.



The Joburg leg of the Kings and Queens of Comedy also doubles up as an opener for a South Afric-wide comedy circuit tour that will see Blu Blood also invade Cape Town and Durban, in a bid to take over the country, one uncontrollable outburst at a time.

Romanzing the big time

Once relatively unknown, the South African vocal quartet Romanz has become a boy-band sensation on local turf. Now they have been invited to join international pop icon Jennifer Rush when she comes to perform in the country from 26th April – 4th May this year.

 Romanz

Rush immediately knew she had a surefire act for her South African tour when she heard Romanz’s powerful rendition of her hit song Power of Love. In fact, the pop star has fallen in love with the incredible talent in South Africa, which is why she has invited both Romanz and the renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir to perform with her. “We are thrilled to be sharing the stage with her as we are huge fans,” say the foursome.

Jennifer Rush

Rush will most likely be taking her relationship with the super-hot boy band even further as she is considering recording with them in the near future.

Romanz consists of four hugely talented young singers who bring both good looks and a diverse musical style to the group. Burgerd (Adriaan) Botha has mastered the contemporary pop sound whereas the youngest member, Christopher Lee Viljoen, is the tenor with a vocal range of three octaves plus an impressive pure falsetto. Adam Barnard is a lyrical baritone who adds a softness and sensitivity to the lyrics while Andre Venter provides bass baritone and has the ability to perform with a wonderful sense of passion and emotional intensity.

After a stunning live performance on local turf in 2008, which had audiences on their feet, they were catapulted to success and since then they have been reaching for the stars. Their albums have reached gold, platinum and double platinum status and they have won almost every prestigious music award on offer since their inception, including SAMA awards the likes of Best Newcomers, Best Video, Best Song, and Best Group.

Romanz brings a fresh, unique sound to their original songs coupled with some well-loved classic standards. With their classically-trained voices they are renowned for producing rich, opulent harmonies, which they deliver against a dramatic soundscape courtesy of master re-mixer Ash Howes (of One Direction fame).

The group has enjoyed some prominent international performances. They were invited to sing alongside Andrea Bocelli at the Wedding of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock in Monaco. They have also performed as the supporting act to world-renowned voice artist Katherine Jenkins.

Following on their African Dream album, Romanz has become so popular in their home-country South Africa that they recently sold out a seven thousand seater arena and are preparing to create the same following in Europe. The quartet is about to go big with My Angel their first single release in the UK. They have also been working with Howes recording new tracks in English for their UK album, recently travelling there to showcase their unique take on contemporary pop to the media. They were received with much acclaim.

Now, this powerful quartet will be performing at Jennifer Rush’s highly anticipated whirlwind South African tour, which will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Theatre, 26TH and 27TH April 2013, and in Johannesburg at the Theatre of the Marcellus at Emperors Palace, 3rd and 4th May 2013.

Romanz are preparing to give their South African fans a performance to remember. “This is an incredible opportunity for us. We have performed for world-famous classical music artists but now is our chance to bring everything that we have to the stage of an iconic pop singer,” say the boys.

Watch this space! If South African fans thought Romanz had reached their peak they were wrong. This successful group is rushing headlong for the stars.

Booking for Jennifer Rush in concert is open at Computicket.



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Standing Ovations Greet The African Passion!

Audiences in Durban, P.E. and Cape Town have greeted SA's new Gospel Opera, The African Passion, with overwhelming enthusiasm and heartfelt ovations. Now it is Joburg‚s turn to welcome and applaud this celebratory work when it opens at the new Soweto Theatre on Friday 5th April for a limited 5 performance season before moving to the Joburg Theatre where it plays from Thursday 11th Sunday 14th April.

Aubrey Lodewyk as Annas the Pharisee, Blessing Xaba as Caiaphas a Pharisee, & Bonakele Edward Lungu as Pharisee Eleazar

In true operatic tradition the entire narrative is sung-through in what can be described as an exciting eclectic authentic South African Gospel sound.

"The music is a fair reflection of the vast variety of gospel styles that make up the South African genre. There are great choral numbers in an almost classical style, some in a mbaqanga style. There are duets, solos and a group of isicathamiya disciples. This is a true African Passion." says director Themi Venturas who also wrote the libretto.

Faca Kulu as Jesus

The work features the compositional excellence of local composers Phelelani Mnomiya, Anthony Govender and the Young Mbazo.

Phelelani Mnomiya, known in the choral community as "SBP, is a lecturer in choral music studies at the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal and is recognized as one of South Africa's pre-eminent chorale music composers. Gauteng audiences will remember his impressive Ziyankomo for Opera Africa.

Anthony Govender is a popular Durban based musician who, apart from his compositional work, also runs the Destiny Music Academy, which offers a wide range of services to amateur and professional musicians.

Carrying the family's cultural legacy to the next generation are the Young Mbazo - the children and Grandchildren of the world renowned Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Their hallmark isicathamiya style is heard to great dramatic effect when sung by the 12 apostles in The African Passion.

Themi Venturas has assembled a stellar cast to bring the music and drama of The African Passion to life. From celebrated Gospel singers, to internationally acclaimed opera singers, from doyennes of musical theatre to authentic exponents of ethnic music, Venturas has hand-picked an impressive cast who effortlessly traverse the full spectrum of styles demanded by The African Passion.

Playing the role of Jesus is Bongikhosi „Faca Kulu who spent time in the Broadway production of The Lion King in New York.

In the role of Mary, his mother, is Natalia da Rocha who makes a welcome return to the Joburg stage. Natalia‚s impressive career saw her as a pioneering cabaret artist at Club 58. Her double act with Sam Marais, „Coffee and Cream‰ was one of the most popular cabaret acts of its time. She went on to headline in a Sun City Extravaganza and in numerous large scale critically acclaimed productions across the country before settling in Cape Town in the late 90‚s. Her last appearance at the Joburg Theatre was in Des and Dawn Lindberg‚s Godspell in which she played Mary Magdalene. A significant wheel will come to a dramatic full-circle when she steps onto the stage of The Mandela as Mary the Mother in The African Passion.

Gospel star Sharon Dee fondly remembered for „Local is Lekker‰ and her performances with Joyous Celebration, brings her defining Gospel sound to the role of Mary Magdalene.

Opera trained baritone Aubrey Lodewyk, acclaimed for numerous operatic roles including the older Mandela in the recent Mandela Trilogy, plays Annas.

Popular tenor Dewald Von Solms, of the Black Tie Ensemble and the duo VonWest, takes on the emotionally challenging role of Pontius Pilate.

SPUD fans will be delighted to see Blessing Xaba („Fatty in the popular movie and sequel) revealing yet another side of his considerable talent in the role of Caiaphas.

For the Johannesburg and Soweto seasons, Venturas has secured the acclaimed University of Johannesburg Choir for the choral work.

The production is a visual treat with spectacular audio-visual backgrounds and stunning costumes designed by debutante designer Nompumelelo Mkhize.

For theatre and music lovers The African Passion has the epic choral splendor of a latter day Handel‚s Messiah and the contemporary relevance and bravery of Webber Rice‚s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

The African Passion will touch hearts and lift spirits with its positive message of rebirth and hope! The African Passion celebrates „our African identity and should not be missed. (Latoya Newman- IOL)

This historic production from Catalina UnLtd is brought to the Nation with funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

Royal Academy soloists to sing Fauré’s soul-stirring Requiem

Four leading vocal soloists from the Royal Academy of Music in London will be launching the second series of Gala concerts at St George’s Anglican Church in Parktown in March, as part of their South African tour.

Jenny Stafford

The church has embarked on a second series of organ concerts to celebrate last year’s installation of its impressive new Rieger pipe organ.

The four Royal Academy vocalists will be singing Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, one of the most beautiful and well-known choral pieces of all time, during the first gala concert in the new series at St George’s on Tuesday, 26th March 2013 at 7.30pm.

Sam Pantcheff

The visitors from London, Jenny Stafford (soprano), Sarah Shorter (mezzo-soprano), Nicholas Scott (tenor) and Samuel Pantcheff (baritone), will be performing the solos in this work, joined by the Choir of St George’s Church.

Sarah Shorter

Conducted by Richard Pantcheff, the celebrity visitors will also perform a number of solo and ensemble items accompanied by Peter Black on the organ, and a selection of exquisite works from the Renaissance period. Their programme will also include solo extracts from George Frederic Handel’s Messiah, one of the world’s best-loved and most recognisable oratorios.

All four Royal Academy vocalists have already embarked upon their professional singing careers, and have taken part in many first-class concerts and operas.

They have performed with such distinguished conductors as Sir Colin Davis, Edward Gardiner and Trevor Pinnock, and in some of the most prestigious locations: the Barbican, the Old Vic Theatre, Cadogan Hall, the Grimeborn Festival, the Edinburgh Festival, Buxton Opera and with the Israel Camerata, as well as at many cathedrals and concert halls in the United Kingdom. They have also featured prominently in the recent major musical productions of the Royal Academy itself.

In addition to their gala concert at St George’s, the four vocal scholars will be performing in a number of high-profile events around the country in March and April, including the Wakkerstroom Festival, the Rand Club Chamber Music Series, and at the Linder Auditorium.

Tickets for the Royal Academy gala concert on 26th March at 7.30pm are available directly from St George’s Church in Parktown by phoning 011-482-1606/7 or emailing music@stgeorges.org.za or secretary@stgeorges.org.za