The Jittery Citizens - Seriously Funny Improvised Comedy is back at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square for one night only!

Prepare yourselves for an unexpected evening of comedy!


The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square is excited to present again, the improvised comedy show for the whole family. This time the proceeds will go to the Hotel Hope Ministries, a fully registered SA Charity/Non-profit Organisation and support babies in need, mothers in crisis and the orphanage.

Fiona Ramsay and Tony Bentel in Struts and Frets

In the show, six fearless Citizens are taking to the stage to represent the people. Unscripted, unprepared and quite unbelievable! The Jittery are many and now they have a voice!

The production features amazing actors, Toni Morkel, Tony Bentel, James Cairns, Alex Radnitz, Jess Taylor and Claudine Ullman in their newly developed Improvised Comedy Theatre,

THE JITTERY CITIZENS.

The exciting all-star cast will knock your socks off with their quick and quirky humour and improvised innovation.

These professional actors also perform with the Improv group Causing a Scene, a highly successful troupe which has been making waves with their monthly performance in the cities’ CBD. The Jittery Citizens are refining what they have learnt and bringing their comedy skills to the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square.

Tickets are R120 only and bookings can be made by calling the theatre on tel. 011 883-8606 or Strictly Tickets on 082 553 5903/1 or online – www.strictlytickets.com.

The aca-Thatu acappella assembly - extra-special Friday Lunch Hour Concert

The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square lunch hour musical programme for 2012 will end on a high note with a dynamic concert for the start of the holiday season. This non classical concert is aimed at families, students and all lovers of exciting new musical voices. aca-Thatu, an acappella superstar quartet, discovered by Maverick Warehouse during a nationwide talent search for an international musical, will be on stage for a unusual concert on

December 14th at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square.

Maverick Warehouse has as part of its business philosophy a firm commitment to developing and nurturing new musical and performing talent. The directors were so taken with the group that they immediately became part of the Maverick Warehouse talent incubator. The directors have worked with the trio for a period of a year and proudly announce their arrival as a force to be reckoned with on the South African entertainment scene.

“During the rehearsal process the trio of Sbusiso Shozi, Freedom Mswane and Mfundo Msibi brought along a guitar playing friend Mbulaza Khumalo. His clear falsetto and acoustic guitar playing added such a lovely dimension to the group that we decided we had to make him a permanent feature”

aca-Tathu which is a play on the word acappella

and in Zulu means….. “there are three” became a quartet.

Making maximum use of their huge range and enormous versatility, their diverse repertoire spans 50’s style close harmony groups, Barber Shop Quartet sounds, Sophia-Town cadences and traditional Zulu love songs. They have embraced the works of contemporary artists like Adele and blended local and American gospel…. and thrown in a few instantly recognizable hits from the likes of Billy Joel, Adele, Ceelo Green and one or two lovely surprises.

Don’t miss this matinee concert with a difference at The Old Mutual Theatre on the Square at 1pm on Friday 14th December! Seats are not reserved, so just rock up!

SHARP*VILLE - from tragedy to triumph, a township tale

In December, the highly acclaimed playwright, director and actor, Gamakhulu Diniso, will be bringing poignant, bitter-sweet memories to the stage when his company Diniso Kasi Arts, with funding from the Gauteng Province Department of Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation, proudly presents ‘SHARP*VILLE - from tragedy to triumph’.

The play narratively portrays a piece of socio-political South African history set against the tragic Sharpeville Shooting to the meaningful Sharpeville Signing of the Constitution. It is an eloquent fusion of song and dance, reminiscent of the era of the ‘pass’ and ‘rent’ during the oppressive apartheid regime.

As townships go, Sharpeville makes for dramatic storytelling as it is reputed for three major political events, the 1960 massacre, the 1984 rent boycott uprising and the 1996 Constitution signing.

SHARP*VILLE will take the audience on a journey into the camera lences of two generations of photographers, Ntate Rafuku Motaung of the 1960s who experienced the ‘Anti-Pass Campaign’ in full swing and Pule Mkhauza of the 1980s who witnessed the stirring ‘Rent Boycott Uprising’, in Sharpeville township.

Gamakhulu has a gift for narrative theatre and has been a significant player on the arts & culture scene for a number of years now. He has won numerous awards for his work as a director, actor and published playwright. To add to his creative flair, he is also an accomplished fine artist. In 1998, he was appointed the Market Theatre’s Resident Director. He is the recipient of the 1999 Gauteng Arts Culture and Heritage Award for Professional Drama Discipline and is included in the 2007/8 and 2008/9 Little Black Book - Financial Mail's annual guide to the most influential black decision makers.

Gamakhulu’a DINISO Kasi Arts company has staged plays at national venues and some of South Africa’s biggest arts festivals. It has also toured extensively in South Africa, Africa and abroad.

SHARP*VILLE is funded by Gauteng Province Department of Sport Arts Culture and Recreation and is supported by Sedibeng Sport Recreation Arts Culture and Heritage Department to create job opportunities, skills transference and social cohesion through Creative Industries.

This dramatic socio-political piece of theatre will be at the Civic Theatre Vereeniging from 10-13 and December 2012 at 8pm with the official opening night on 10 December to commemorate the Signing of the Republic of South Africa Democratic Constitution, which originally took place in Sharpeville. Then it will move on to the Sharpeville Community Hall on the 14 - 26 January 2013, Mphatlalatsane Theatre in Sebokeng on the 28 January - 9 February 2013, the Vaal University of Technology in February 2013, and finally it moves back to the Civic Theatre Vereeniging from 11 - 23 March 2013 with a special show for Human Rights Month on 21 March 2013

For more information call Sydney Dhlamini on 016news@gmail.com.

Get ready for Mzansi Fela Festival

Tshwane is the place to be from 1 December to 15 December when the Mzansi Fela Festival explodes onto the entertainment scene at the State Theatre in Pretoria.

Lira

In celebration of Mzansi’s artistic spirit, The Mzansi Fela Festival (MFF) is back for its seventh season and it’s all taking place at the State Theatre in Tshwane. This year, this veritable entertainment extravaganza is bigger and better than ever before.

It’s a full programme of music, comedy, poetry, rock, hip hop, dance and drama, from a lineup of super-talented local performers the likes of popular musician and poet Zahara, the ultra-fabulous Parlotones, South Africa’s grand dame of song Sibongile Khumalo, R&B diva Lira, the country’s freshest comedians and most styling DJs, not to mention the brilliant theatre productions vying for a place at the Edinburgh festival… the lineup is endless and one thing is guaranteed, the spirit of music, dance and performance is very much alive.

As 1 December is World AIDS Day, MFF will kick off on a meaningful note with the Annual World AIDS Day march which starts at 10h00 at the legendary Union Buildings and ends at the State Theatre. The festival will officially open at Lillian Ngoyi Square with various performances from the country’s finest.

Mayhem

Launched in 2007, MFF was originally the Mzansi on Stage Festival. Now it has become one of the most highly anticipated arts events in the country. It not only continues to be an exciting and significant initiative to encourage emerging markets here in South Africa but it is also a dynamic platform from which our artists can highlight their remarkable works and enjoy wide exposure. It is here that audiences get to witness the South African arts at its spectacular best.

Zahara

While the Festival attracts big names, it has, since its inception, also nurtured new South African talent through the Community Development Programme, which was established by MFF in partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology.

Also, through the Festival, theatre productions will once again get the opportunity to win a place at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival.

From 1 December, come rock Jacaranda City at this audacious summertime Festival, which is presented in conjunction with the Department of Arts and Culture.

The Programme:

Headliners: Opera Theatre

• Zahara (1 December – 20h30)

• Sibongile Khumalo (7 December – 20h30)

• The Parlotones (8 December – 20h30)

• Lira (14 & 15 December – 20h30)



Theatre productions:

• Hol (10 Dec – 20h00, 11 Dec – 16h00 and 19h30 and 12 & 13 Dec – 19h30): Momentum Theatre

• Moffie (4 – 6 December – 20h00): Drama Theatre

• Sunday Morning (11 Dec – 10h00 & 20h00 and 12 & 13 Dec – 20h00): Arena Theatre

• Itsoseng (3 & 4 Dec – 19h00 and 5 Dec – 20h00): Arena Theatre

• Mayhem (7 Dec – 19h00 and 8 & 9 Dec – 15h00): Arena Theatre



Jazz and African Music Nights (9 December): Kilnerton Theatre (12h00)

• Selaelo Selota

• Ngwako Manamela

• Ladies in Jazz

• Steve Dyer

• Gcobisa

• Four Seasons



Tshwane Comedy Nights (8 December): Rendezvous Theatre (20h00)

• Kedibone Mulaudzi

• Toll Ass Mo

• Judy Jake

• Deep Fried Man

• Mel Miller



Rock Nites (13 December): Rendezvous Theatre (18h00)



DJs Night (14 December): The State Theatre’s old Capellos (22h00)



The Community Arts Festival (Momentum Theatre):



A total of 13 productions have been chosen for the Programme in 2012:

•Horns (December 3 & 11 – 12h00)

•Tandeka’s Magic Hat (December 3 – 14h00 and December 10 – 12h00)

•Nomi and the magic fish (December 4 – 12h00 & December 10 – 14h00)

•Between the Books (December 4 – 14h00 & December 14 – 10h00)

•The Matric Ball (December 5 – 12h00 & December 11 – 14h00)

•Baggae (December 5 &12 – 14h00)

•The Coat (December 6 & 13 – 12h00)

•In Me (December 6 – 14h00 & December 14 – 12h00)

•Children of Asazi (December 7 – 12h00 & December 13 – 10h00)

•Stallions (December 7 – 14h00 & December 12 – 10h00)

•Nongongo (December 8 – 10h00 & December 13 – 14h00)

•Under the Nelson Mandela Bridge (December 8 – 12h00 & December 14 – 14h00)

•Vampire (December 8 – 14h00 & December 12 – 12h00)



Showcases for Edinburgh Festival:



•She died dreaming (December 10, 12h00) – Arena Theatre

•Skierlik (December 10, 16h00) - Rendezvous Theatre

•My naam/name is Ellen Pakkies (December 10, 20h00) – Arena Theatre

•Forlorn (December 11, 14h00) - Rendezvous Theatre

•Roses and Angels (December 11, 17h00) - Rendezvous Theatre

•Goon (December 11, 16h00) - Rendezvous Theatre

•Africappella (December 12, 20h00) - Rendezvous Theatre

Bye Bye Beloved Country - Hello Doom & Gloom

Maestro Bernhard Gueller had flown in from Canada, very well knowing that he probably would never be paid for this stint of four concerts in Johannesburg. Yet, faithful to the last, he came anyway and tonight displayed magnanimous solidarity with the dutiful, dedicated and ardent members of the orchestra – an orchestra that refused to roll over and die; an orchestra that clearly loves an respects this man who has guided them for the past years.

The electricity started sparking from the very moment Gueller lifted his baton on Glinka’s Overture to Russlan & Ludmilla. A fast-paced and accurate reading from the first to the closing bars set the tempo for the evening.

Next in line was Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No.2 – one of the great pianistic warhorses. Tonight the capricious changes in style that is characteristic of this popular concerto were beautifully but tightly controlled by young pianist Inon Barnatan. A true poet of the keyboard, he combined insightful interpretation with impeccable technique. He received the second standing ovation of the evening. And then, having given almost all of his energy in the concerto, he sat down in front of the great black Steinway and played as his encore – and from his heart – Debussy’s Clair de lune. Certainly the best ever interpretation that I have heard in my long life of concert-going.

After the interval we heard a near perfect reading of Dvořák’s Symphony No.9 – known as the symphony from the New World. The great Czech composer was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic to write this work while he was the director of the New York Conservatory from 1892 to 1895. When it was premiered in 1893 he said “In the negro melodies of America I discover all that is needed for a great and noble school of music.” In the symphony he develops the different themes with all the resources of modern rhythms, counterpoint, and orchestral colour. This symphony became a symphonic symbol of renewal, of brilliance and of hope.

Tonight when the last notes faded softly into a balmy Highveld night my thoughts turned to a country where gloom and misery mingles on a daily basis - the dark forebodings of decline, despair and denial.

As the audience stood for the third time tonight, applauding Gueller and the brave members of the JPO for on 20 minutes, the lights suddenly faded away and we continued clapping hands in total darkness. Was this a symbolic moment or, maybe just another one of the Highveld’s power outages?

Unseasonal Rains over Johannesburg – Is PULA causing it?

See how magnifient the TDT dancers are in these short scenes from the production. Since the opening night of PULA last week - a dance drama built around the abundant African rainmaking legends - every performance has been marked by plentiful rain storms over Johannesburg!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i4FknkA5SE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

It will be interesting to see how the rain patterns for Johannesburg and Pretoria play out over the next three weeks. It will be quite eerie if the rains coincide with PULA’s performance times!

All tickets R 50 each for all performances - book at Computicket.

Performances at UJAC Theatre:

Thursday 15th November at 19:30

Friday 16th November at 19:30

Saturday 17th November at 15:00



State Theatre performances:



Friday 23rd November at 20:00

Saturday 24th November at 15:00

Tuesday 27th November at 20:00 (opening)

Wednesday 28th November at 20:00

Thursday 29th of November at 20:00

Saturday 1 December at 15:00

Sunday 2 December at 15:00

The Only Thing You Should Beat is a Drum!

The Drumming Campaign – STOP Violence Against Women and Children will be launched on SATURDAY 24 NOVEMBER where hundreds of drummers will be drumming on RISSIK STREET BRIDGE from 10am, followed by an OFFICIAL OPENING in PARK STATION at 11am. Artists include TIMOTHY MOLOI, SINDI SAMPSON AND THE ONION EATERS, LIBBIE DU TOIT and NII MOLAI ADDOTEY and THE DJEMBE DRUMMERS. We invite anyone to come and drum to show support for the campaign against gender based violence!

The roll-out of the drumming campaign will take place in 16 GAUTENG RAILWAY STATIONS over 16 days, from 25 NOVEMBER to 10 DECEMBER, from Pretoria to Germiston, Naledi to Mabopane. By the end of 16 days, 365 drummers will have added their voice to the campaign!

Why Railway Stations? They are public spaces and should be places where people can receive and engage with messages and debates on violence against women and children - in a language that is inspiring and motivating – who can resist the sound of a drum? As the campaign develops other public spaces, bus ranks and taxi ranks will become part of the campaign activities.

Why drumming? Imagine the power of hundreds of drums in a railway station – an instrument that exists in different shapes and forms in almost every culture in the world! Drums have been instruments of communication through the ages. We need to drum and be heard! We can no longer take the violence against women and children as a norm – we need to get the message out loud and clear!

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of gender based violence. It will make available information about what to do in cases of gender based violence and services available in Gauteng. Training is aimed at front line railway staff, with support from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and Metro Rail.

The vision is: Seconds count down by text messages to partners across Africa and the world … 4-3-2-1 – GO! … In that split second hundreds of drummers in railway stations around the world start drumming! They are: Drumming to STOP violence against women and children!

Campaign partners are: Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development based in Lenasia has been operating for 20 years, offering sheltering services, training and advocacy campaigns. Nisaa is a leading member of the National Sheltering Movement.

mehlo-maya (eye-to-the-sun) has been using art for social activism, over the past 17 years. It uses film, theatre, radio and print – raising and engaging in debate on human rights and gender rights. mehlo-maya has worked on 16 Days of Activism campaigns since 2005.

The launch of the campaign is supported by the MTN Foundation.

Partners in the launch over 16 Days are: Amnesty International, MSF, One in Nine Campaign, SHARISA Network, etc.

For more information contact BOBBY RODWELL and SAMU MFUPHI on 011 614 2132

‘Applied Drama as Social Intervention in Conflict and Post-Conflict Contexts’

University of Pretoria, South Africa

Drama for Life (DFL) is looking forward to welcome their alumni to the 5th DFL Africa Research Conference taking place at the University of Pretoria from 16-17 November 2012.

Twenty DFL Alumni will take part in Goethe-Institut’s Alumni-DENKFABRIK for Culture, Education and Development, a worldwide think tank to explore new pathways in international development cooperation. The DENKFABRIK will take place in conjunction with the Drama for Life Africa Research Conference on Applied Drama as Social Intervention in Conflict and Post-conflict Contexts. Participants of the regional DENKFABRIK roundtable will be Drama for Life Alumni from sub-Saharan Africa, the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), the DAAD (The German Academic Exchange Service) as well as other stakeholders engaged in culture and development. The Think Tank is taking place the day before conference, as well as on the 18th of November at the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg. The programme will focus on the experiences and needs of practitioners in the field of applied theatre and the role of international cooperation in their specific working environments. Insights and recommendations from the conference, and the DENKFABRIK will be presented to government representatives at the global DENKFABRIK-Conference in December 2012 in Germany.

One of the main aims of the 2012 DFL Africa Research Conference is the establishment of the Drama for Life Africa Professional Association. Over the past five years, the Drama for Life Africa Research Conference has consistently held the space for initiatives, dialogue and reflection around the need for a professional association that would take care of the professional needs of Applied Drama Facilitators, Drama Educators, Drama Therapists and Arts for Social Transformation practitioners and managers across the African continent. It has become abundantly clear that there is a serious need for a professional association that will embrace, take responsibility for, and support the professional needs of Applied Drama Facilitators and Master Trainers, Drama Educators, Drama Therapists and Arts for Social Transformation practitioners and managers from across the African continent. This need has been reinforced by the consistent refusal of governments, networks and NGOs to recognise the voices of those who work with arts activism, development, education and therapies. Drama for Life is planning to formally launch the DFL Africa Professional Association in 2013.

Think Tank sessions are by invite only, but online registrations for the DFL Africa Research Conference are still open for all researchers, practitioners, activists, Government and NGO trainers and community workers. Please visit http://web.up.ac.za/res.asp?ipkCategoryID=19770&ArticleID=316 to register.

For further information on the 2012 DFL Africa Research Conference please visit our website http://www.dramaforlife.co.za/content/page/dfl-africa-research-conference or contact Malika Ndlovu on Malika.Ndlovu@wits.ac.za or call 011 7174731.

GROOOT GRAP! AAN DIE KOM

Lizz Meiring (Mollie & Wors en talle ander), Frank Opperman (Rooikaart, Ouboet in Orkney Snork Nie ens), Hannes (Grotman) Muller, die alombekende en –beminde Mark Banks, Karen Wessels (Hester & Ester Bester, Groet die Grotvrou), Thys die Bosveldklong, Melt Sieberhagen (Proesstraat, Superhelde), Hannes (die dominee van Binneland) Brümmer, Shimmy Isaacs, Piet Potgieter (Vodacom Funny Festival), die gevierde kitaarduo CH2 en die musikale manewales van die groep STOK.

Dit is die lys van bekende komiese akteurs en komediante wat op 10 November 2012 by Carnival City se Big Top Arena bymekaarkom vir GROOOT GRAP!, die eerste aanbieding van sy soort in Afrikaans met komiese sketse, Afrikaanse stand-up, musiek en die belofte om die lagspiere oortyd te laat werk. Giep van Zyl (GZ Produksies) en Kosie Smit (Kosie House of Theatre) bring hierdie ongewone komedie extravaganza na die Carnival City Big Top Arena.

Grooot Grap! (ja, drie o’s want dis groter as groot) gaan ’n volle 120 minute sonder pouse duur en sluit van ons land se voorste komediante, musikante en skerpsketsers (stand up comedians) in. Johan Hendriksz (aanbieder van Skerp op kykNet) is die seremoniemeester.

Die mediavennote is kykNET en Rapport.

Hierdie is ’n geleentheid wat dié wat hou van lag nie durf misloop nie. Ook aan te beveel vir suurpruime om hul lewens te veraangenaam. Grooot Grap! is die gróóótste Afrikaanse komediegeleentheid nog in ons land. Daar is ‘n ouderdomsbeperking van 14 en ouerbegeleiding word aanbeveel. Aanvangstyd is 20:00. Kaartjies is beskikbaar by Computicket. Bespreek vroegtydig want die aantal sitplekke is nie onbeperk nie!

Grooot Grap! se Facebookbladsy en Twitter is al aan die gons.

Facebook - www.facebook.com/GroootGrap

Twitter - @GroootGrap

Datum - 10 November 2012

Tyd - 20:00

Ouderdomsbeperking - Geen onder 14 jaar Taal. Ouerbegeleiding

Produkse lengte - 120 minute sonder pouse

Kaartjies - Computicket

Vir enige navrae - Giep van Zyl (PR)

083 268 2570 giep@artslink.co.za

Celebrating Homegrown Talent at The Globe Theatre, Gold Reef City

The Globe Theatre at Gold Reef City is celebrating South Africa's greatest musicians and singers from 8 November to 1 December with Homegrown, a vibrant and energetic show that features the best loved songs by the country’s favourite artists.



Homegrown

The production features stirring renditions of hits by Johnny Clegg, Elvis Blue, Loyiso Bala, Miriam Makeba, Prime Circle, The Parlotones, Freshly Ground and many more. In addition to the inspiring recreations of your favourite songs, the show includes interesting clips discussing why South Africans love the songs and artists featured in the show.

Homegrown is produced by Hazel Feldman (Showtime Entertainment), directed by Neels Clasen (We Will Rock You, Fame, Mamma Mia, Isidingo, Binneland) and choreographed by Eloise Clasen (Hairspray, Saturday Night Fever, Mamma Mia). Cathrine Hopkins (Hairspray, Rocky Horror, High School Musical, Little Poof!), is the musical director.

The cast, which is backed by a live band, is led by award-winning artist and TV star, Izak Davel, who has appeared in stage productions including Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and his Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat. Davel has starred in the TV Soapies Egoli, Villa Rosa and Getroud met Rugby. Big Screen credits include Getroud met Rugby - Die Onvertelde Storie, Platteland, Hoofmeisie and a short film, Die Prins en die Palebeater.

In Homegrown, Davel will be supported by cast members: Tshepi Mashego (Hair, Pinocchio, High School Musical), Winray Fortuin (Decades Deelite, Movin & Shakin) and Suzzi Swanepoel (Hair, Jock of the Bushveld, Cabaret). These talented performers will breathe new life into SA’s best loved hits.

Homegrown is part of the 2012 Globe Theatre Season that includes three incredible theatre productions. The season includes Chef, Rattle & Roll, Homegrown and Pop Quiz.

Tickets to Homegrown cost just R80 per person. The show runs Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 November to 1 December at 20h00. No under 3’s are permitted for customer comfort.

If you are looking for the perfect solution for a date night or an evening out with your best friend, look no further than a Night Out for Two at The Globe, which includes R720 worth of entertainment for just R350 which includes:

• A three course meal for two at Back o’ the Moon

• R60 worth of drinks on the Casino Floor

• R100 Freeplay to play slots or tables at the casino

• Two Tickets to see Homegrown

For box office bookings, please call 011 248 5000 or email the box office on Goldreef.BoxOffice@tsogosun.com. For Computicket bookings, please call 083 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.com.

Cutting edge artistic performances at the 2012 Drama for Life Africa Research Conference

Applied Drama as Social Intervention in Conflict and Post-Conflict Contexts’

The Drama for Life programme based at Wits University invites all researchers, practitioners, activists, Gov
ernment and NGO trainers and community workers to participate, debate and question issues surrounding ‘Applied Drama as Social Intervention in Conflict and Post-Conflict Contexts’ at the 2012 Drama for Life Africa Research Conference taking place at the University of Pretoria from 16-17 November 2012.

The 5th Drama for Life Africa Research Conference turns its attention to the growing international trend of conflict and intolerance. Besides paper presentations by keynote speaker, oraturist, actor and storyteller Mshai Mwangola from Kenya and James Thompson, Director of the Centre for Applied Theatre Research from the UK, participants of the 2012 DFL Africa Research Conference can look forward to three cutting edge artistic productions that are outstanding examples of ‘creative research’ in the field of Applied Theatre and Drama.

The Drama for Life Research Committee feels privileged to have Mmatshilo Motsei present What About Love? as a once-off performance on Saturday 17th November 2012 between 17h30 and 18h30 at the Skuros Venue on University of Pretoria campus. Complemented by a string of talented musicians and an interpretive dancer, Motsei will present a fusion of poetry, movement and storytelling with the heartbeat of drumming and the soulful sounds of the guitar and trumpet all blended synchronously to depict her story of love as a counter for separateness and violence. The performance style used by Motsei develops an intimacy with her audience that not only blurs the lines between stage and audience but demolishes the metaphoric fourth wall.

Wits student Gina Shmukler’s production The Line staged on Saturday 17th November 2012 between 14h00 – 15h00 at The Lier Theatre, is the culmination of the multi-award winning actor and director’s master research on trauma and theatre making. Having spent several months in areas affected by the xenophobic attacks that took place in May 2008 ‘The Line’ is constructed from a series of interviews with South Africans involved in the violent events. Delivered as spoken, verbatim style, the critically acclaimed play has been described as ‘powerful’, ‘chilling’- ‘a must-see’, earning much praise and enjoying commercial success earlier in 2012 at venues including The Market Theatre.

On Friday 16th November 2012 at 19h00 performance artist, director and drama teacher Myer Taub will present his site specific performance Die Boek at The Masker Theatre. ‘Die Boek’ deals with the hauntings of identity, displacement and love and daringly takes on assumed conventions of theatre and representation, in an attempt at activating new forms of storytelling superimposed on more traditional forms of storytelling. It is inspired by S. Ansky’s play ‘The Dybbuk’ which is regarded as a classic example of traditional Yiddish theatre.

Researchers, practitioners, activists, Government and NGO trainers and community workers can register for the conference online via http://web.up.ac.za/res.asp?ipkCategoryID=19770&ArticleID=316.

For further information on the 2012 DFL Africa Research Conference please visit our website http://www.dramaforlife.co.za/content/page/dfl-africa-research-conference or contact Malika Ndlovu on Malika.Ndlovu@wits.ac.za or call 011 7174731.

“The Tales of Hoffman has long held a unique fascination for me,”

says Angelo Gobbato, director of Cape Town Opera’s upcoming production.

As the 1951 film showed, it is, he says, “one of those operas that can be sold on all fronts”. An “audience-grabbing piece”, The Tales of Hoffman has always inspired a “spontaneous reaction” and even as a young boy, Gobbato explains, he was enthralled by the music and story of the “glorious technicolor” film starring Moira Shearer and Robert Helpmann.

In fact it was quite possibly that early encounter with Offenbach that set Gobbato on the track to becoming somewhat of a legend in South African opera. As the former resident producer at the Nico Malan Opera House in Cape Town (now the Artscape) from 1976 to 1981, and head of the opera school of the University of Cape Town from 1982 to 1988, this passionate Italian-born South African has been lured out of what he describes as a “very relaxed” retirement to direct his third Hoffman.

His fascination with this intriguing opera has, if anything, increased with time. As his Director’s Note stipulates, the fact that Offenbach died before he could complete his masterpiece has given rise to a number of different versions of the opera being handed down, with more materials being discovered over the years and alternative dramatic approaches mooted.

But regardless of the academic musicological debates about the piece, even the more hesitant opera-goer will enjoy The Tales of Hoffman, Gobbato enthuses. An arch storyteller, ETA Hoffman was inspired by English Gothic romance, eighteenth-century Italian comedy, and the psychology of the abnormal to create a world in which everyday life is infused with the supernatural. Combine this with the skill of Offenbach, “an expert at musical entertainment”, and the result is highly tuneful and wonderfully entertaining, with songs that lots of people will recognise, he explains. All the more surprising, perhaps, that The Tales of Hoffman has not been produced in Cape Town since 1998.

Together with production designer Michael Mitchell and conductor Kamal Kahn, Gobbato is excited about using the youthful energy of the “extremely talented” Cape Town Opera young artists and UCT Opera School students to trace ETA Hoffmann’s influence which, having spread through nineteenth century Europe and America, can be seen in the writings of Baudelaire, Dostoevsky, Edgar Allan Poe, Roald Dahl and even current TV series such as American Horror Story.

Asked what his production decisions were based on, Gobbato gives one word: magic. “But not fairytale magic” he adds quickly, “Rather the type where you scratch the surface of the real world and find the bugs crawling underneath.” A world where there is lots of jollity and frivolity on the surface, but underneath, “nasty things are lurking”. “After all, this is Hoffman,” he grins with relish. This is where we see what happens “when idealism and cynicism collide.”

Tales of who?


Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann was, quite simply, the Tim Burton of the 1800s. Fascinated by horror and fantasy, transformations and deceptions, his stories have inspired the ballets The Nutcracker and Coppélia, and Hoffmann himself is the subject and hero of Jacques Offenbach's famous but fictitious opera The Tales of Hoffmann.

Written by that impresario of the romantic period, Jacques Offenbach, the music in The Tales of Hoffmann is as light and digestible as Offenbach’s best known work, Orpheus in the Underworld. Eccentric and fun, the story revolves around a poet (Hoffmann) who regales his friends with the stories of three women whom he has been besotted with, and the bizarre ways in which these ladies have exited his life.

As each bite-sized act reveals, the first lady-love, Olympia, turns out to be a robot. The second, Antonia, dies from singing too much, and the third, Giulietta, accidentally drinks poison, prepared for Nicklausse. In an advanced state of drunkenness, Hoffmann realises that all three of these women are different aspects of the prima donna who is his latest obsession, and he vows never to love again, thereby freeing himself to write poetry.

The Tales of Hoffmann was made into a film in 1951, starring Moira Shearer and Robert Helpmann. "For the first time in my life I was treated to Grand Opera where the beauty, power and scope of the music was equally matched by the visual presentation," said Cecil B. De Mille. The film was a massive critical success, receiving two Academy Award nominations.

For this production, South African opera legend Angelo Gobbato has been tempted out of retirement to direct the Cape Town Opera and the rising stars of the UCT Opera School in a production designed by Michael Mitchell and conducted by Kamal Khan. Together, these three men have been rubbing their hands with glee at tackling such an eccentric gem of a piece, not performed in Cape Town since 1998.

Written in French by a German over 100 years ago, the chances are you won’t understand a word. But please note that Cape Town Opera always provides English surtitles on a screen above the stage (something that, during the recent production of La Boheme, I pointed out to the Afrikaans octogenarian on my left and the Xhosa family on my right, to various exclamations of relief.)

And as with all Cape Town Opera productions, each performance will be preceded by a talk in the Orchestra Rehearsal Room at Artscape, 45 minutes before curtain-up.

Still not sure? Try listening to the dreamily romantic Barcarolle from Act 3 which you might last have heard in the soundtrack from Titanic or Life is Beautiful. And then take a look at Elvis Presley’s version in GI Blues!

Presented by Cape Town Opera in collaboration with the UCT Opera school, The Tales of Hoffmann will be performed at the Artscape Theatre on 24, 27, 28 and 29 November at 7.30pm and on Sunday 25 November at 6pm. Tickets cost R 125 to R 175. ***SPECIAL TICKET PRICE for the Sunday performance Nov 24 only – all tickets R50 each. Capetonians last got to see The Tales of Hoffmann on stage in Cape Town in 1998, so DON’T DELAY booking your ticket now. Parental Guidance advised

NOEL & GERTIE - at Montecasino's Studio Theatre

This witty and moving show, affectionately crafted from diaries and letters between Coward and his stage partner, Gertrude Lawrence, tells the story of the professional and personal relationship between two of the last century's greatest stage personalities.

Although they only appeared in two productions together, Private Lives and Tonight at 8.30, Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence epitomised an era of high style and elegance. The show is devised by Sheridan Morley (Coward’s godson and biographer) and is a light and sparkling collection of play extracts, snippets from personal diaries and correspondence and, of course, those wonderful songs which made Noel and Gertie the darlings of the West End and Broadway! There’s the poignant “I’ll see you again” and the theatrical classic ode to a Theatre Mother “Mrs Worthington”. Scenes from plays include “Private Lives”, and “Blythe Spirit” amongst others, and the revue spans nearly 40 years of their creative and enduring friendship.


Starring Jonathan Roxmouth (A Handful of Keys, JC Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, CATS, Hats Off, Topsy Turvy, The Phantom of the Opera) – currently on tour in Manila as the Phantom – and Taryn Sudding (CATS, Nunsense), and directed by award-winning Director Alan Swerdlow (Mousetrap, 39 Steps, Good Evening, Ying Tong, The History Boys), Noel and Gertie promises to be an evening of classy fun and entertainment by two of South Africa’s leading musical theatre talents!

Directed By Alan Swerdlow


Designed By Jannie Swanepoel

STUDIO THEATRE, Montecasino

From 7 November to 6 January

Tickets cost R150 each and can be purchased at the Theatre (011) 511 1818 or at www.computicket.com

Performances: Wed to Fri @ 8:15pm, Sat @ 4:15pm & 8:15pm, Sun @ 3:15pm

Tranceformations is art in motion

In celebration of 21 years of MIDM’s (Moving into Dance Mophatong) full-time vocational training, the renowned dance company has been staging some stunning performances throughout the year, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Rand Merchant Bank, Business Arts South Africa, Rand Water Foundation, Dancing for the Children, National Arts Council bursaries, and the Arts and Culture Trust with Nedbank Arts Affinity.

To conclude this incredible year of dance, MIDM’s anniversary tribute will culminate in three weeks of explosive dance pieces simply titled 21, at the Dance Factory in Newtown, Johannesburg, from 17 November to 2 December.

This final programme will feature some dramatic pieces including choreographer and MIDM founder / Artistic Director Sylvia Glasser’s stylishly evocative and highly acclaimed Tranceformations, which, after several years, will be performed again, this time at the MIDM Gala on 29 November and then on 30 November and 1 December at the Dance Factory at 19h30.

Even though Glasser’s ground-breaking piece was created over two decades ago, in 1991, does not mean it has lost its pertinence and in fact it probably has even more resonance and significance today as it had at its genesis. Back then it was a trailblazing work which transformed perceptions and attitudes to San culture as well as to theatrical dance; whereas in South Africa today it pays homage to a history, a culture and a people as fundamental to the country’s current landscape as it was in the past.

It took Glasser years of study and research to begin working on Tranceformations, which was inspired by the ancient Bushman /San rock art and trance dancing. In 1987 Glasser began to consider the idea of a dance piece based on a trance dance or healing ritual which was closely linked to San rock art. It is likely that this rock art arose out of the experiences of the shamans or medicine men. During the healing ritual the medicine men acquired supernatural potency and they experienced an altered state of consciousness. To truly understand and begin to respect the complexities of the San belief system, Glasser decided to expand and intensify her research and only ended up choreographing the stunning Tranceformations four years later, in 1991.

One of the people who can be credited for guiding Glasser on her original journey to creating her dance piece was Professor David-Lewis Williams, a world renowned archeologist, author, academic and original Director of the Rock Art Research Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand, whose research changed the way rock art was perceived. He had this to say about Glasser and her piece in the 1998 MIDM 20th Anniversary booklet: “In 1987 Sylvia Glasser suggested the concept of a dance sequence that would deal with the life and plight of the San (Bushman) people. The fact that it did not come to fruition until 1991 is indicative of the care that she took and the time she invested in seeing to it that the dance achieved its goal and that the San were not in any way patronised. She called the sequence Tranceformations. But the transformations were not only those of the San in their religious life and their history. Those who took part and those who were privileged to witness it were also transformed. They came to see the San in a new and more sensitive light and to develop an empathy with one of Africa’s greatest traditions”

Now, once again, audiences will get the opportunity to experience the physical sensations, hallucinations, and transformations visualised and experienced by the ritual healers while in trance. All the images in the choreography are depicted on the San rock art. The dance highlights what the shamans do, feel and see, while the final transformation of this journey in dance takes the San into the modern world - the performance pays tribute to a dispossessed people and their culture.

Choreographed by Sylvia Glasser, Tranceformations also sees other highly talented South African’s coming together to bring the latest version of this exciting piece to stage. The music is composed by Shaun Naidoo, the design is by Sarah Roberts and the dance is performed by the MIDM dancers namely Muzi Shili (rehearsal assistant), Thandi Tshabalala (rehearsal assistant), Sonia Radebe, Sunnyboy Motau, Tebogo Letele, Julia Burnham, Faith Maseko, Oscar Buthelezi, Otto Nhlapo, Edwin Ramoba, Nhlanhla Ndzimande and Moleboheng Tlali.

This beautifully stylized piece of dance has been a long time coming and will astound audiences with the sheer physicality of the performance set against a dramatic backdrop – Tranceformations is art in motion.

More about MIDM

As a not-for-profit non-governmental organization, MIDM is proud of its fundamental role in the arts over the last 21 years and Glasser says, “MIDM does not just teach youth to dance, it equips individuals from under-resourced communities with the skills and confidence to become productive and self-sufficient people who are able to support their families and extended families. With the continued high rate of unemployment, we continue to be a safety net for many people who are the sole supporters of extended families as a result of the training they have received through us.” In this way, MIDM plays a role in breaking the cycle of poverty by providing career training and job opportunities to young people from impoverished communities.

The dance company is hoping to utilise the 21 celebration dance programme as not only a platform for the incredibly passionate and talented young MIDM performers but to also raise much-needed funding for bursaries for the students of 2013.

Dance patrons who may be interested in supporting the MIDM bursary fund-raising drive can contact Nadia or Busi on 011 838 2816 to book tickets for Tranceformations or any of the other performances on the three-week programme. Normal bookings can be done through Computicket.

For more information about MIDM go to www.midance.co.za.

Ilia Radoslavov at Glenshiel

From the pen of Saul Bamberger:

Dear Music Friends,


As you may well know, my favourite form of Chamber Music is the Solo Piano Recital. The intimate, personal musical conversation the Pianist has with with an audience.The element of risk and excitement because the soloist by definition plays alone -unaided or even unfettered by an ensemble of other instruments. The Piano's broad dynamic range is, for me, a purely distilled essence of musical expression .

Under the hands of a Master Solo Pianist the music is the melding of conductor and orchestra.

And so it is in anticipation of that pleasure that I am delighted to present to you -in the music room at Glenshiel - the Bulgarian Pianist,

ILIA RADOSLAVOV

Piano



Olde'n'New Recitals at Glenshiel is the Johannesburg destination on Ilia's South African tour.

Ilia will be presenting Beethoven's Sonata No.8 in C minor Opus 13 ( Sonata Pathetique),Mussorgsky's Pictures At An Exhibition and a work especially commissioned by Ilia for his South African recital tour - The Rise Five, composed by Charles Gran.

I have attached the full progamme and Ilia's Biography.

This is going to be one of those rare, memorable recitals and I expect to be sold out.

Delay not - book your spot!

DATE: SATURDAY 24th NOVEMBER.

TIME: 6:30 for 7:00 pm (come early and enjoy the beautiful gardens and sunset or bring your own picnic tea.)

PRICE: R120 pp. Including refreshments.

VENUE: Glenshiel, 19 Woolston Rd,Westcliff. ( S26* 10.28' , E 28* 1.60' )

PARKING: There is parking on the grounds and extra parking at The Ridge School just across the road !

R.S.V.P by return of email to saulb@polka.co.za For enquiries and directions call Saul on 083 414 0041



Glenshiel is available as a function venue. For enquiries contact Sarah Heep on 011 486 5809 0r email Sarah.Heep@stjohn.org.za

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at Joburg Theatre

The annual pantomime, produced by Bernard Jay and written and directed by Janice Honeyman, opened at the Joburg Theatre's Nelson Mandela Auditorium last night. Cleverly created text combines with beautiful design and innovative choreography and, all comes together in a spectacular and hilarious festive season offering. JACK AND THE BEANSTALK runs until December 30th 2012.

We all know the story of Jack and how he goes to the market to sell his cow and comes home with some magic beans. Which then grow into an enormous beanstalk, climbing to the sky where a giant lives. But Janice Honeyman’s telling of the JACK AND THE BEANSTALK story is sure to be one of the craziest and original versions ever! With a star cast, the best of South African creative talent behind the scenes and surprises galore on stage, kids and parents alike will be laughing uproariously and singing along to the songs (with or without the song sheet).

Needing no introduction (or explanation!), South Africa’s most loved panto star TOBIE CRONJÉ returns again this year as the evil Henry Hideosa, the Giant’s assistant.

DESMOND DUBE dons the usual over-the-top gowns as Dame Dudu Dludlu. Award-winning actor and comedian, Desmond is much loved for the Sasol Amaglug-glug advert. His feature film credits include Hotel Rwanda, Millennium Menace and Panic Mechanic and he played the character of BK in The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, which was nominated for an Emmy Award. Desmond last appeared in panto at Joburg Theatre in 2006 as Dame Winnie Wotalotigot in Janice Honeyman’s Aladdin.

BONGI MTHOMBENI will play the title role of Jack. Bongi charmed audiences last year as Prince Charming in Janice Honeyman’s Cinderella. He is best known as one of the Top 10 finalists on the sixth season of the M-Net reality competition Idols, in 2010.

And no panto would be complete without the hero’s “love interest”, who - of course - he gets to marry and walk down a lot of steps with at the end of the show! This year, the character of Raspberry Rose will be played by South Africa’s musical theatre star CARLY GRAEME. Carly achieved personal triumph with her leading role in Joburg Theatre’s World Cup 2010 production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton’s musical The Boys In The Photograph.

The comic role of the Mayoress will be played by NANDI NYEMBE. Nandi is best known for her role as Nandi Sibiya on the TV soccer drama Zone 14 and for her role as Sister Lizzie on the SABC1 drama series Soul City.

Multi-award winning actress LOUISE SAINT-CLAIRE is taking on this year’s fairy, Felma-Fabbadabba-dozy. This is Louise’s second panto at Joburg Theatre: she previously won many admirers with her hilarious send-up of Helen Zille in Janice Honeyman’s Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates in 2010.

The full company of the panto also includes David Clatworthy, Nicol Sheraton, Clint Lesch, Jarryd Nurden, Hector Leigh, Weslee Swain Lauder, Emil E Haarhoff, Ziyanda Yako, Dionne Song, Zeena Edwards, Noni Mkhonto, Tanielle Powell and Diani Gernandt.

Cheer the hero, boo the villain, and revel in the stunning costumes and magical scenery for which Joburg Theatre pantomimes are so renowned.

Michael Rubenstein, head of group marketing at BankservAfrica, explains they’re very excited to once again be sponsoring South Africa’s most loved theatre production, the pantomime. “After the wonderful success from last year’s Cinderella, we believe Jack and The Beanstalk will again enthral the young and the young at heart.”

Over 35,000 tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk have already been sold. So book now before it’s too late. Again! It’s the ultimate Christmas treat – there’s nothing better to put you in an exuberant festive spirit! And, of course, it’s the ultimate family entertainment.

Tickets for preview performances range from R140 to R240 and for all other performances from R190 to R290: on sale now by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com, or by calling the theatre’s direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670.

Discounted rates for groups of ten or more are available by calling the theatre on (011) 877 6853/4.

Hospitality packages are available for the pantomime in one of Joburg Theatre’s private function venues and the News Café – please call Headline Leisure Management for more information: (011) 877 6834 / hospitality@joburgtheatre.com.

JANICE HONEYMAN’S JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is brought to you at Joburg Theatre by BankservAfrica, in association with M-Net, Jacaranda FM and Your Family Magazine.

Follow the latest Joburg Theatre news on Twitter - @joburgtheatre gives you all the latest information, special offers as well as news from behind the scenes of Joburg’s world class theatre.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Collett Dawson

082 653 1338

collett@joburgtheatre.com

Joburg celebrates a cracking Diwali festival

It was a day, filled with colour, music and the rich smells of delicious food and fragrant incense, as Joburg joined the local Hindu community in celebrating one of the biggest days on the Hindu calendar; Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

The theme for this year was Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - “The World is one Family” - as people of all ages and backgrounds poured into Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown for the celebration of the FNB Gauteng Diwali Festival held on November 3.

Every year the celebrations get bigger and better - and 2012 was no exception. This is the fourth year that the Diwali festival has been held in Johannesburg, and saw well over 10 000 people pack the square and take part in the celebrations – a fitting tribute to the 100th year that organisers, the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, have been in South Africa.

Old and young alike enjoyed the wealth of entertainment on offer with the 180-plus artists who contributed to the days celebrations. Children had a wonderful time painting clay pots and creating a giant Rangoli on the square.

The winner of a raffle prize of double tickets to Dubai, including airport taxes, sponsored by Serendipity Tours, was Shailen Lala

Always a popular feature, the fireworks display, which was designed by world champion pyrotechnician Bonnie Pon lit up the night sky and DJ Zuby made sure revellers partied the evening away.

“As a proudly South African bank with roots that extend into India and several other African countries, we are excited to be a sponsor to an event that celebrates cultural diversity and tolerance within our communities. Over the years we have seen the festival grow to become one of the largest attended events for people living in the province,” said Howard Arrand, FNB Gauteng Provincial Head

“We are thrilled to have hosted such a spectacular festival. It was a very special time for all involved, and we are thankful that it went off without a hitch and was so successful,” said festival director Jayesperi Moopen.

“A festival of this proportion requires a good team and I would like to thank all the teams that were part of the great production. We look forward to another glorious festival in the coming year,” concludes Moopen.

UJ Arts & Culture to present the 2012 Tunkie Award

UJ Arts & Culture is to present and host a very special event on Friday 16 November at the UJ Con Cowan Theatre, Bunting Road campus when the recipient of the 2012 Tunkie Award will be announced.


“UJ Arts & Culture has been privileged to be associated with the Tunkie Award since 2009,” says Ashraf Johaardien, Head of UJ Arts & Culture. “Last year’s event which was directed by Owen Lonzar started evolving the original lecture format to focus more on the accomplishments and work of the current recipient,” he explains.

Dr Ivan May launched the Tunkie Award in 2003 at the 25th anniversary celebrations of Moving into Dance Mophatong in remembrance of Xolani Nettleton (Tunkie) Dyusha (1961-1999). Since then the Award has been presented annually to a South African who has elevated the standard and visibility of dance in South Africa. Recipients of the award, which acknowledges strong leadership, vision, and dedication within the dance community, are selected annually by a working group comprising past winners.

Dyusha was a staunch friend and supporter of MIDM and the arts sector during his career at Nedbank where he was the marketing manager of the Nedbank Arts and Culture Affinity products. He came from a disadvantaged background in the Eastern Cape but despite enormous obstacles, he furthered his education at a tertiary level, completing qualifications in business, marketing and sales. He joined Nedbank and worked with the team that conceptualised and subsequently launched the Nedbank Arts and Culture Affinity programme. This culminated in the establishment of the Arts & Culture Trust of the President, with former President Nelson Mandela as its patron. He was involved in ground-breaking initiatives and arts sponsorships: the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the first post sanctions cultural tour and thereafter many others, more local and very significant arts sponsorships. The award honours Tunkie’s commitment to the development of the arts in South Africa.

The first recipient of the Tunkie Memorial Award in 2003 was David Thatanelo April, the then executive and Artistic Director of MIDM. He was presented with a statue, a Chiawara from Mali from May's personal collection.

Previous recipients of the award have included David April, Alfred Hinkel, the late Jackie Semela, Sylvia Glasser, Robyn Orlin, Jay Pather, Philip Stein, Nicola Danby, Adrienne Sichel, Georgina Thomson and the 2011 recipient Gladys Agulhas. Their names are engraved on the floating trophy, a Chiawara, a ceremonial headdress from Mali, which is on permanent display in the foyer of the UJ Arts Centre Theatre.

The 2012 event will be directed by Lonzar once again, who will also deliver the welcome address. The citation for the winner will be by Grace Meadows, Performing Arts Manager of UJ Arts & Culture and Georgina Thomson representing the selection panel will announce the 2012 winner.

UJ ARTS & CULTURE produces student and professional performing arts in three theatres as well as exhibitions, concerts as well as a range of cultural and creative activities across all four UJ campuses. Facilities include the UJ Arts Centre located on the Kingsway Campus which comprises the 436-seater Arts Centre Theatre, Art Gallery, dance studios and choir rooms as well as the UJ eXperimental Theatre on the Kingsway Campus and the 180-seater UJ Con Cowan Theatre and dance studios on the Bunting Road Campus. These venues also serve as receiving houses for professional South African and international productions, concerts, exhibitions, conferences and cultural events.