Santa's Story at Theatre on the Square

One-woman show “SANTA’S STORY”, an on-stage rendition of 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Santa Pelham’s touching autobiography, is set to captivate audiences at the Theatre on the Square in Sandton, in early 2013. The production enjoyed a sell-out season at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town recently.

While the production, which is an evocative mix of storytelling and live music, is helmed by a particularly adept creative team – including accomplished local director Janice Honeyman, esteemed designers Mannie Manim and Dicky Longhurst, and gifted music arranger Matthew Reid – the solo lead of the show is none other than Santa Pelham’s own daughter, multi award-winning, internationally-acclaimed opera singer Aviva Pelham.

Accompanied by a vibrant Klezmer band that shifts through multiple genres, this seasoned mother’s intriguing tale to life through one of her most personally cherished mediums: song.

Starting in pre-war Germany where the Jewish Santa was born, the production recounts this remarkable woman’s attempts to navigate life under Nazi oppression. The narrative follows her as she flees from this dictatorial state to Spain, where civil war rages, then on to even poorer conditions in an occupied France, and finally, by ship, to Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, where, under arranged circumstances, she marries a man she has never met – a decision that ultimately, saves her life. It is a tale of trials, tribulations and triumph, one that depicts deeply personal issues within a harrowing broader political context. To evoke a sense of place and culture as the story unravels, the gifted Aviva sings in multiple languages – German, Spanish, French, Yiddish, Hebrew and English – reflective of the different parts of Europe. But the show is far more than merely an account of one (now) elderly woman’s distressing journey; rather, with a core focus on upliftment and perseverance, it carries moving universal messages of courage, tenacity and hope, and works to highlight core issues – such as prejudice, intolerance, displacement and acceptance – that are likely to resonate with most. In essence, as Aviva emphasises, Santa’s Story is an evocative piece that, through poignant music, explores the possibility of “pushing through the darkness to ultimately find strength, spirit and light again”.

Bring your friends, school, family, colleagues or clients. There are special group bookings discounts and on

Fundraisers and dinner show packages can also be arranged.

Performances are at 8.15 for Tuesday – Thursday (No Friday Show)

2 shows on Saturdays at 6pm and 8.30.

and Sundays at 3pm.

Bookings can be made by calling the theatre on tel. 011-883-8606

or Strictly Tickets on 082 553 5901

or book on-line – www.strictlytickets.com or www.theatreonthesquare.co.za