| Let the theatre entertain you |
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| Written by Makoena Pabale | |
| Monday, 23 June 2008 | |
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Music, comedy, adventure and the circus - it's all there at Joburg's theatres this winter, from Queen to Winnie the Pooh, via the ballet. DON'T think that because it's cold, the time is right to stay at home watching television. Joburg‘s theatres are jam-packed with exciting shows to chase away the winter chill. There is a lot to choose from, with performances ranging from comedy to serious drama, from children's entertainment to live music.
Foxwood House "The show is very popular and there seems to be a sentiment around it because it used to play every year on New Year's Eve on TV," said Chris Beukes, the show co-ordinator at Foxwood House. "The other reason it is so highly favoured is because we at Foxwood House have tried by all means to keep to the original script." It is set in an old English mansion, where the last remaining member of a posh family, Miss Sophie, is celebrating her 90th birthday. The entire sketch takes place in the dining room, with Miss Sophie at the head of a large table, laid for plenty of guests. Wilson Dunster is the butler and Elize Cawood is Miss Sophie-same-procedure-as-last-year-James; Andre Stolz directs. Dinner for One is at Foxwood House on 14, 15, 28 and 29 June; and 5, 6, 12, 13, 26 and 27 July. Shows start at 7.30pm on Saturdays and 12.30pm on Sundays. Tickets are R70 each and bookings can be made through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 011 486 0935. Singer and actress Elzabé Zietsman will also spend some time at Foxwood House this winter. Zietsman, who needs no introduction, is widely known for her role in the soapie Egoli. She performs her Best Of, featuring songs from several of her shows. There are still performances on 19 and 20 July. Tickets are R100 each and booking is through This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 011 486 0935. Foxwood House is at 11 Fifth Street, Houghton, and can be contacted on 011 486 0935.
Montecasino The show's publicity sums it up: "Almost 30 years after his death, the romantic lyricism of Jacques Brel's songs has not lost the power to send shivers down the spine of an audience. "Described as being as poetic as Bob Dylan, as introspective as John Lennon and as virile as Bruce Springsteen, Brel's acute perception made him an innovative and creative interpreter of daily life who composed with a rare poetic ease," reads the Computicket website. Kissed by Brel Too! The Lovers runs until 29 June at the Studio Theatre at Montecasino, with Claire Watling and Brian Heydenrych. It is directed by Geoffrey Hyland and Godfrey Johnson. Tickets are R125 each at Computicket and performance times are 5.15pm and 8.15pm. One Rocco One Piano is at the Main Theatre, also until 29 June. With popular pianist Rocco de Villiers tickling the ivories, the one-man piano show brings back memories of 1975, when television came to South Africa. It was a time of safari suits, Gomma Gomma lounge suites, orange sunfilter curtains and dramatic rugby commentary. He plays some old favourites such as Don't Cry for Me Argentina, Embraceable You and Somewhere my Love, among many others. Tickets for the show cost from R120 to R150 each at Computicket. It's a musical season at Montecasino, with A Handful of Keys up next, from 4 July to 17 August. The show is about two men and two grand pianos, with virtuoso playing and funny impersonations. Jonathan Rock Smith and Roelof Colyn are the guys on the hot stools. Their music ranges from the great classic masters Bach and Beethoven, through the kings of soul Ray Charles and Fats Domino, and all the way to the queens of pop Elton John, Freddy Mercury and Liberace. For more information, visit the Montecasino website or phone 011 510 7000. Montecasino is in Montecasino Boulevard, on the corner of William Nicol Drive and Witkoppen Road, Fourways.
Johannesburg Civic Theatre complex La Traviata is the ballet translation of Cape Town choreographer Veronica Paeper of the Verdi opera of the same name. Based on the novel by Alexandre Dumas, it tells the story of a Parisian courtesan who unexpectedly finds herself in love and loved in the midst of a cynical and frivolous life among the city's demi-monde. Tickets are priced from R65 to R240 each at Computicket. Show times are at 8pm during the week and at 3pm on weekends. 
Johnny Clegg's Heart of the Dancer is on a the Nelson Mandela Theatre at the Civic until 29 June
For some local magic, brewed right here in South Africa, Johnny Clegg takes to the Nelson Mandela Theatre at the Civic with his show, Heart of the Dancer. Combining African musical structure with Celtic folk music and international rock sounds, Clegg performs some of his all-time hits, such as Impi, Woza Friday and African Sky Blue, along with his new solo material. Tickets for Heart of the Dancer cost from R180 to R330 each through Computicket. The show runs from 17 to 29 June. But it's not all music at the Civic. Comedian Barry Hilton presents Tuning You Since '82 for a brief run - it is on from 26 to 28 June. Hilton's humour covers universal issues, especially family and current affairs. He takes everyday situations and turns them into hilarious skits on stage. Tuning You Since '82 is on at the Nelson Mandela Theatre. Tickets are R160 each; shows start at 8pm. Another show already making headlines before it opens is Le Grand Cirque, which runs from 3 July until 27 July, again at the Nelson Mandela Theatre. This show features some of the world's finest acrobats, jugglers and gymnasts; it is directed by Alan Harding. Tickets for this highly anticipated show range from R171 to R313 each. For the young and young at heart, there is The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Friends. The interactive play is at the People's Theatre until 9 August. Performances during school terms are at 9am and 11am during the week and at 10.30am and 2.30pm on Saturdays and public holidays. Tickets are R75 each for non-members and members pay R50; accompanying audience members pay R65. Special prices are available for schools, with each learner paying R40 and one complementary ticket for a teacher with every 20 learners. Booking can be made at Computicket or at the People's Theatre on 011 403 1563. The Fully Monty, the comedy musical based on the 1997 movie, promises to have you laughing from 12 September to 12 October at the Nelson Mandela Theatre at the Civic. Seeing how much their wives enjoy watching male strippers during their girls' nights out, a group of unemployed steelworkers come up with a bold way to make some quick cash. In the process, they find renewed self-esteem, learn the importance of friendship and discover how to have fun. And finally, the Civic wraps up the year with its annual pantomime. Although it will be summer by the time the panto treads the boards, tickets sell so fast it is worth booking now. This year it's the turn of Snow White, and it's again at the Nelson Mandela Theatre. Tobie Cronje, the panto standard, is the evil Queen, Bianca Le Grange is Snow White and Idols finalist Daniel Buys is Prince Charming. Snow White opens on 29 October and ends its run on 31 December. Tickets are priced from R180 to 210 each, and can be booked through Computicket. The Johannesburg Civic Theatre complex is in Loveday and Hoofd streets, in Braamfontein. For further information about shows call 011 877 6805 or visit the Civic Theatre website. Tickets are available through Computicket outlets, the Computicket website or on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000.
National Children's Theatre 
Cinderella is on at the National Children's Theatre until 26 July
Sticking closely to the popular fairytale, Cinderella is treated badly by her stepfamily, which makes her do all the work. And then she goes to the royal ball, where the prince falls in love with her. They marry and in true fairytale tradition, live happily ever after. Joyce Levinsohn, the artistic director at the National Children's Theatre, is certain that everybody will love it. "I am absolutely thrilled to bring Cinderella back to the theatre because it has magic and a fairy godmother. I am certain that every one will love it, from young to old. It is done with such intelligence it is unbelievable." Tickets for the show are R50 each for children and R65 each for adults, bookings can be made at Computicket outlets, the Computicket website or on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or on 011 484 1577. The National Children's Theatre is at 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown, opposite the University of the Witswatersrand's education campus. For more information, visit the website or telephone the theatre on 011 484 1584/5.
Victory Theatre Africa Umoja tells the moving tale of indigenous South African music from the earliest rhythms to kwaito. Tickets are available through Computicket; they cost from R115 to R223 each without a meal, and from R216 to R300 each with a meal. Carl Barron, one of Australia's leading comedians, returns to South Africa on his world tour. He is at the Victory Theatre from 8 until 12 July; tickets for his show cost from R70 to R150 each without meals and from R175 to R255 each with meals. Booking is at Computicket. 
The Rocky Horror Show has had its run at the Victory Theatre extended to 31 July
The Rocky Horror Show has had its run at the Victory Theatre extended to 31 July. Engaged couple Brad and Janet break down in a storm; they stumble upon a castle and nervously knock on the door in search of help. It is opened by Riff Raff, a hunchback handyman. Once inside, the wholesome young couple is introduced to Frank-n-Furter, a bisexual mad scientist. The castle's inhabitants come from the far-off galaxy of Transylvania, and it is here on Earth that Frank-n-Furter has discovered his life's passion. As Brad and Janet arrive, he is about to unveil his creation, Rocky. Tickets for the show cost from R115 to R330 each without meals and from R216 to R387 each with meals, at Computicket. The Victory Theatre is at 105 Louis Botha Avenue, corner Osborne Road, in Houghton Estate. Computicket tickets can be bought at outlets, on 083 915 8000 or 011 340 8000, or through the Computicket website.
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