– From 7 – 24 February, 2024 at Theatre On The Bay.
The Quickening Theatre company and Gloucester Productions are thrilled to present Duncan MacMillan [1]’s West End hit play LUNGS, which has been produced worldwide to great acclaim.
Duncan MacMillan’s LUNGS at Theatre On The Bay from 7 – 24 February, 2024.
Dates: 7 – 24 February, 2024
Venue: Theatre On The Bay
Performance times: Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7:30pm, with Saturday matinees at 3pm.
Age restriction: 13 (Themes & language).
Do we? Can we? Should we? A young urban couple consider whether or not to have a child in today’s toxic and insecure environment, beset by global warming and political unrest.
What unfolds is a dazzling rollercoaster ride through a shared lifetime.
Fiercely funny, disarmingly honest and heartbreakingly poignant, LUNGS is a love story for our generation, for whom uncertainty and chaos is a way of life.
The play is directed by Bianca Amato, with Jazzara Jaslyn and Sanda Shandu as the couple in question.
Designed by Patrick Curtis.
(Image) Jazzara Jaslyn and Sanda Shandu star in LUNGS, directed by Bianca Amato, at Theatre On The Bay (Photo: Claude Barnardo).
Tickets available from Webtickets, or the theatre box-office on (021) 438-3301.
Jazzara Jaslyn is a theatre, film and television actress born and based in Cape Town, South Africa.
She graduated from UCT in 2014 with a BA in Theatre and Performance. A promising theatre career ensued, including a tour of the stage adaption of Fatal Attraction where she played the complex lead role of Alex Forrest.
Jazzara made her debut feature film role as Olympia in Warner Brothers’ A Cinderella Story. She has since portrayed notable roles on screen including Jane Swann in Professionals (Brendan Fraser, Dir. Ciaran Donnelly, Bharat Nalluri) and Miranda Hugo in Mnet’s Lioness.
She has a deep passion for exploring the human condition which has now manifested in her creating her own work as a director and writer.
Dancing and singing is another expression she loves, be it in the lounge or on stage. Travelling fills her with the most joy and inspiration, diving into foreign cultures and new ways of thinking.
Sanda Shandu:
Born in Durban and raised in Newcastle KZN, Sanda Shandu is a Cape Town based actor, voice artist and musician.
Whilst being a classically trained vocalist and pianist, Sanda studied at UCT and completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Economics and Organisational Psychology in 2015. With his heart still set on performing, it wasn’t long after his studies that he landed his first professional stage role in The Fugard Theatre’s Orpheus in Africa as ‘Richard Collins’ in 2015.
2017 brought about more work at The Fugard Theatre where he landed a role in South Africa’s legendary hit musical King Kong as menacingly smooth gangster, “Lucky Lukasi”, which earned him his first Fleur du Cap and Naledi awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. He received another Fleur du Cap nomination for his supporting roles as ‘Richmond/Dorset’ in Richard III at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre in 2019 and another for his supporting role in The Unlikely Secret Agent.
On screen you can see him in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth as “Randy”. He starred in South African neo-noir TV series Skemerdans as ‘Charlie’ and murder mystery series Donkerbos as detective ‘Tsedza Tshivenga’. South African movies Mlungu Wam (2021) as ‘Stuart’ and in 1960 (2022) as ‘Tshepo’.
Back on stage, he reprised the role of “Nick” in the 60th Anniversary of world acclaimed play ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ at the end of 2022 at Theatre on the Bay and Montecasino which earned him a nomination at both Fleur du Cap and Naledi Theatre Awards.
(Image) Jazzara Jaslyn and Sanda Shandu star in LUNGS, directed by Bianca Amato, at Theatre On The Bay (Photo: Claude Barnardo).
LAMTA’s SPRING AWAKENING hit rock musical to return by popular demand with extended seasons in Cape Town & Jo’burg March/April 2024
With sell out houses and five star rave reviews across the board, LAMTA has announced today that Spring Awakening, the riveting rock musical, directed by Sylvaine Strike, will be returning to Theatre on the Bay by popular demand on 8 March 2024 for an extended season.
The hit production will transfer to Pieter Toerien’s Theatre at Montecasino in Johannesburg from 12 April 2024.
The critically acclaimed ground-breaking musical that is loosely set in 1895, has consistently pushed boundaries and remains as relevant as ever. What sets this iteration apart is its superb triple threat cast and their extraordinarily professional delivery of powerful storytelling, heart stopping singing and outstanding performed dance numbers that have literally blown audiences and critics away night after night in the first bonsai season.
Spring Awakening delves into the lives of a group of adolescent students discovering their sexual identities and desires as they rebel against the prevailing burdensome and restrictive societal norms. Under Sylvaine Strike’s visionary direction, this reimagined production expertly brings the gripping and emotional story to life as it explores complex themes such as self-discovery, repression, and the power of rebellion. Guest artists re-joining the LAMTA company will include the brilliant Francis Chouler and Natalie Robbie in multiple roles.
Says LAMTA Co-Founder Anton Luitingh, “As we remount the show in March, it is my hope that an increasing number of our younger generation will see this production, both to revel in the magic of live theatre but more specifically because of the way that Spring Awakening resonates with its profound relevance to young individuals and their parents and guardians today, highlighting the symbiosis between the two generations. We are immensely proud of the sterling audience and media responses to our Spring Awakening and thrilled to confirm that this production extension, courtesy of Pieter Toerien, will be taking place at his beautiful venues – Theatre on the Bay in Cape Town and Montecasino in Johannesburg.”
LAMTA (Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy) turned 5 this year and Spring Awakening, starring their own students, graduates and guest artists Francis Chouler and Natalie Robbie, marked the Academy’s first book musical and Strike’s first foray into musical theatre directing. Outstanding creatives on the show include Musical Director Amy Campbell, Resident Director Anton Luitingh, Choreographers Naoline Quinzin and Anna Olivier (with oversight by Duane Alexander); Set, Costume and Lighting Designer Niall Griffin, Intimacy Co-ordinator Natalie Fisher, and Sound Designer David Classen.
Booking for the 2024 Spring Awakening season at Theatre on the Bay in March 2024 has opened at Webtickets and tickets can also be booked through 0214383301.
Please note that Spring Awakening contains mature themes, partial nudity, sexual situations as well as explicit language.
8 March – 7 April at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre
12 April – 18 May at Theatre On The Bay
Gloucester Productions is thrilled to present a 2024 staging of Peter Schaffer’s classic text AMADEUS in Johannesburg (at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino theatre) and then in Cape Town (at Theatre on the Bay).
This Tony award winning play was first staged in 1979 and has had numerous productions presented all over the world since then. In addition, there was an Oscar award winning movie made in 1984.
This thrilling drama has all the elements: Suspense, comedy, rousing music and great characters.
In the court of the Austrian Emperor Joseph II, Antonio Salieri is the established composer. Enter the greatest musical symphonist of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Salieri has given himself to God so that he might realize his sole ambition, to be a great melodist. Mozart, however, is a foul-mouthed, graceless oaf who has that which is beyond Salieri’s envious grasp: Genius.This is Salieri’s passionate telling of his act of vengeance in response to Mozart!
Peter Schaffer has given us a gripping, intriguing study of the roots of envy and the haphazard nature of genius.
AMADEUS is brimming with gloriously evocative text and soaring snatches of Mozart’s music and promises to be a vivid theatrical occasion.
Award winning director – Geoff Hyland – takes the helm of Amadeus.
His production team include: Illka Louw with costume design, Oliver Hauser with lighting, Gideon Lombard working on the sound design and Nadine Minnaar constructing the scenic elements.
Two time Fleur du Cap Best actor winner – Alan Committie – heads up the cast playing Antonio Salieri.
The rest of the cast to be announced shortly.
The production runs at Montecasino from the 8 of March to the 7 April and then moves to Theatre on the Bay from the 12 of April to the 18 of May.
Bookings are now open and can be made through Webtickets or by calling Montecasino on 011 5111988 or Theatre On The Bay on 021 4383300
South African stand-up comedy Hall-of-Famer, Alan Committie, returns for a laugh-filled start to 2024. He appears at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre in Joburg with his latest, brand new stand up show: FAST AND REASONABLY FURIOUS!
Displaying his lighting fast wit coupled with his madcap phyisicality and renowned crowd engagement, this is Committie screeching his way across the stage with high octane, Vin-diesel fueled laughs for the post-holiday season.
What to expect?
A flipchart filled with flagrantly flippant fun facts.
Johan van der Walt exptemporizing about eggs and chickens
Rants and ruminations around Coronations, World Cup fever, Artificial Intelligence and so much more….
In addition, Committie is throwing in an interval. For free. Twenty minutes of time that you can use in any way you choose. No questions asked. If you choose not to leave the theatre auditorium during the interval period then your twenty minutes will be tranfered to your eBucks account and can be used to purchase hopes and dreams at your nearest SPAR.*
If you want to unwind after another 12 months of stressful survival then this is the release, relief and roucous night that you are looking for.
Perfect entertainemnt for your whole family (except that one uncle that nobody likes….do NOT invite him. For everyone’s sake)
Directed by Fleur du Cap Lifetime achievement winner Christopher Weare and designed by tequila sipping daytime achievement runner up Niall Griffin.
Alan Committie – faster than Cheslin Kolbe and yet the physique of Ox Nche….. A comedy prop who’s quite good at winging it!
Directly from its success at Toyota US WOORDFEES last weekend in Stellenbosch, playing to standing ovations, and to sold out audiences, Maynardville Open Air Festival is for the first time in its 67th year history touring the production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre in Johannesburg.
For a limited run, this year’s hilarious, smash hit production of Shakespeare’s comedic masterpiece, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, will transport audiences into the captivating world of Athenian forests, where romance, mischief, and the whimsical realm of fairies collide in a tapestry of comedy and romance. Prepare to be captivated as this iconic play weaves a tale of love-struck couples, eccentric actors, and mischievous fairies, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
This magical journey of love and self-discovery is rife with mistaken identities, playful gender swaps, magical spells, and mischievous pranks, all brilliantly portrayed by a cast many will recognize – including Chi Mhende and Mark Elderkin, and will be debuting paralympic athlete Caleb Swanepoel in the role of Puck.
The comedy explores the complexities of human relationships, the power of dreams, and the unpredictability of love, making it as relevant today as it was in Shakespeare’s time. Directed by the talented Geoffrey Hyland, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM promises to be one of the biggest hits to be seen in Johannesburg theatres this season.
“This is the best fun you can have. Go! Book! Enjoy!” – Weekend Special
“Fun, accessible, superbly staged, and performed!” – The Cape Robyn
Don’t miss your chance to step into this enchanting world of romance, mischief, and magic! Book your tickets now and be part of a theatrical adventure that will leave you spellbound.
Fresh from their successful tour of England in August 2023, father/daughter duo Adrian and Emma-Jean return to South African stages with their wonderfully entertaining new musical revue show, Striking a Chord.
The father/daughter bond is palpable as these two compelling performers take the audience on an awe-inspiring musical journey woven together with amusing anecdotes and thoughtful commentary. The show features the duo’s most popular covers, such as The Prayer, Time to Say Goodbye and Sound of Silence, musical theatre standards, like I Dreamed a Dream and Defying Gravity and unusual arrangements of classics Pie Jesu & Bring Him Home, Barry Manilow’s One Voice and I Write the Songs, as well as a classical mash-up that includes La Traviata’s Drinking Song and the classical standard O Sole Mio. The show runs for 70 minutes without an interval.
“I went to the first performance in London, and it was so fabulous that I had to go to the second performance in Tonbridge as well. Your incredible voices and amazing performances had us crying one minute and laughing at Adrian’s dad jokes the next. This is the best show I’ve seen in years.” – Michelle Welsh.
The Cast
Adrian Galliard and his 14-year-old daughter, Emma-Jean, shot to cyber fame in 2020 after a video of the duo singing the famous Andrea Bocelli/Celine Dion hit, The Prayer, went viral. They parlayed their cyber success into their first theatre show, Accidentally Viral, which played to sold-out houses at the Redhill and Hilton Arts Festivals in 2022. They are supported by veteran accompanist Neil Bennett.
Emma-Jean is now 16 years old and a consummate performer that belies her youth.
You’ll ‘Feel The Earth Move‘! An exciting show is heading to Cape Town and Johannesburg, promising to deliver a fantastic theatrical experience, filled with heart and soul.
VR Theatrical’s Jaco Van Rensburg, and show director Elizma Badenhorst, sat down with Dean Roberts to talk about the exciting new tribute show that will be hitting Pieter Toerien’s Cape Town and Johannesburg theatres in October and November this year.
DR: Following up on the success of ‘Here’s To You – The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook’, what made Carole King’s catalogue so attractive to you?
JVR: Apart from her world-famous Tapestry album, Carole King is a fascinating artist who not only made songs famous herself, but who wrote or co-wrote very many hits that nobody knows was her. Remember Kylie Minogue’s Loco-motion? I bet you didn’t know that that was a Carole King song!
What ultimately drew us to her work, was the fact that her songs are story-songs. They are all like one-act plays that takes the listener on a journey of discovery, making it the perfect music for a theatrical event.
VR Theatrical producer, Jaco Van Rensburg.
“Our diverse cast is not only excellent, but also lovely humans! It has been an absolute pleasure to create this production around their specific talents.”
DR: Carole King wrote more than 400 songs, 100 of which have hit the Billboard singles chart, how do you go about choosing the songs for the show?
JVR: I am very lucky to not have to make the final decision here. I leave that to the creative team, although I may have had some opinions and made some suggestions.
EB: Growing up, I loved music from the 60s and 70s. I had no idea who wrote them, I just knew I loved them, later in life I learned that Ms. King wrote many of my favourites. Going through her body of work was equally challenging, as it was a familiar stroll down memory lane. Choosing the songs was, indeed, a delightfully difficult task of mammoth proportions. But I must say, the concept took shape pretty quickly, and once we knew we were ‘up on a roof’ overlooking a city, the songs metaphorically ‘put up their hands’.
‘Up On The Roof – The Carole King Songbook’ director, Elizma Badenhorst.
“Storytelling. These women have a gift of telling stories through their music that any human can relate to in such an authentic way. The human condition addressed, but with exquisite melodies and harmonies to boot.”
DR: Artists such as Adele, Amy Winehouse and Taylor Swift have all credited Carole King as being one of their biggest influences… can you hazard a guess as to what the through line is with these fine artists music?
JVR: A good narrative. There are shoo-bee-doo-bee pop-songs and there are songs with lyrics like:
“When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space”
They’re relatable and timeless songs.
EB: Storytelling. These women have a gift of telling stories through their music that any human can relate to in such an authentic way. The human condition addressed, but with exquisite melodies and harmonies to boot.
DR: Your promotional material highlights an all-woman cast of singer-musicians who all work together to create these magical soundscapes, what was the casting process like?
JVR: Casting an original production is always strange and wonderful. Because there is no script, we could mould and shape the production around the specific personality and talents that we find – and boy-oh-boy are these ladies talented! Six gorgeous proudly South African women who deliver these timeless songs with excellence!
EB: The casting process of an original piece such as ‘Up on the Roof’ is always interesting to say the least, because the show doesn’t exist yet; you’re not casting a performer for a specific character. But there are so many things to consider. Their skills, their musicianship, their personalities, how will all of them work together; it’s a very intricate puzzle, and I must say, we have built an exquisite cast with our six phenomenal cast members.
DR: Carole King has been called THE greatest songwriter of all time, and being responsible for penning the soundtrack to our lives. Why do you think these well-written songs have stood the test of time?
JVR: She’s a great story-teller with an ear for writing a ‘hook’ – you know, that little bit of a song that gets stuck in your mind and that you can’t get out of your head.
Her themes are universal and timeless (often about falling in or out of love) and have emotional depth. While this all sounds very cerebral, her melodies are also catchy! I think the combination of all of these things make her music timeless.
EB: Ms. King has the ability to put words and melodies to universal feelings of love and loss, the ups and downs of life. We all know exactly what she’s addressing in her songs and most importantly, it then makes us not feel alone.
DR: The music of Carole King is especially comforting, and with themes of love, relationships, and the idyllic notion of what ‘home means… how have you considered these themes when selecting the numbers as well as the ensemble cast?
JVR: Our brilliant director, Elizma Badenhorst has come up with a clear concept that drives the overall narrative of the show. We did not want it to be ‘just another tribute show’ but rather to be thematically linked. Our musical director, Wessel Odendaal created original arrangements that emphasise the emotional impact of the songs.
Once the concept was established, i.e. a group of friends meet for a glass of wine on a ‘New York type’ rooftop and sing songs about their lives, the material sort of chose itself.
Our diverse cast is not only excellent, but also lovely humans! It has been an absolute pleasure to create this production around their specific talents.
This production features a cast of six multi-talented female performers including Ashley Butcher (bass, guitar, ukulele), Louise Duhain (piano/keyboards), Angelica Hattingh (guitar), Sanli Jooste (cello), Neo Motaung (percussion) and Tiisetso Sefatsa (percussion).
DR: Could we perhaps argue that Carole King is the perfect everywoman figure: an alto singer (too low for soprano voice and too high for a tenor), the perfect mix for soul music?
JVR: Yes! Unique is our Carole. Not only a brilliant songwriter, but also an exquisite vocalist in her own right, solidifying the singer/songwriter category in pop music history.
DR: How are you aiming to marry the sublime sounds of Carole King’s catalogue, with the staging of such a dynamic ensemble presentation?
JVR: The fact that we don’t have one person impersonating Carole King gives us scope to play with dynamic staging, interesting choreography and incredible vocal arrangements – all necessary to create an interesting piece of theatre.
Add to that a boho-chic inspired rooftop setting and theatrical lighting and you have a magic recipe for harmonic heavenliness!
EB: When the concept came to me, it all fell into place so seamlessly: six girl friends meeting up on a roof overlooking the city observing some people down below and commenting through Ms. King’s songs on what they possibly could go through, realising we’re all pretty much the same.
DR: ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Women’ is a song that emphasises the route of self-discovery, of a woman’s natural inner beauty. How do you want the audience to leave the theatre ‘feeling’?
JVR: Things are tough out there and people are tired. This production guarantees to make you forget your troubles for at least two hours, to fill you with hope, heart and optimism and will make you leave the theatre feeling happier than when you entered! I can only describe the experience as a warm, glowing ember that will ignite the fire we all carry within ourselves.
EB: Uplifted…. And I guarantee this is what audience members will feel. They are going to hum along, laugh, shed a few nostalgic tears, but will definitely leave feeling better about life.
DR: Who will enjoy this exciting piece of live theatre?
JVR: You do not have to know Carole King’s catalogue in order to enjoy this incredible production. There is so much to listen to, look at and appreciate, from the beautiful setting to the gorgeous harmonies and the amazingly talented performers onstage. If you are the kind of person who enjoys any kind of live entertainment, there will be something here for you!
EB: This is one of the many things a love about Ms. King’s music. Whether you know her/her work, or not, you will enjoy her music. The range of styles this woman composed in is incredible: soul, folk, pop, rock, jazz, R&B and more. If you love music, you will enjoy this production.
‘Up On The Roof – The Carole king Songbook’ runs at Theatre On the Bay in Cape Town from 5 October and at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino theatre in Johannesburg from 1 November, 2023.
Direction & concept – Elizma Badenhorst
Musical direction & orchestration – Wessel Odendaal
Scenic design – Nadine Minnaar
Wardrobe co-ordination – Elizma Badenhorst
Lighting design – Kieran McGregor
Graphic design – Jaco Van Rensburg
Sound design – Christo Davis
Duration is approx’ 2-hours, including a 20-minute interval.
Age restriction: none.
Tickets are available from Webtickets or by dialling CPT (021) 438-3301 or JHB (011) 511-1988.
This spring you can enjoy the hilarious romantic comedy that was one of the longest running hits on Broadway.
Same Time, Next Year is a comic play that focuses on two happily married people – BUT, JUST NOT TO EACH OTHER! George and Doris meet for a romantic weekend tryst at a B&B once every year for 25 years. What follows is a snapshot of the ‘shortest long-term relationship’ ever.
This rom-com is a heartwarming but hylarious look at friendship, connection, passionate and platonic love and the unnerving rollercoaster of growing older.
Multi-award winning actor and comedian, Alan Committie, teams up with celebrated stage and screen actress, Sharon Spiegel Wagner, to portray George and Doris, respectively.
The production team includes direction by Christopher Weare (Fleur du Cap Lifetime achievement recipient) and design by acclaimed scenographer Niall Griffin.
Theatre impresario, Pieter Toerien, shares the following: “What a delight to re-introduce today’s audience to one of the classic Broadway comedies. In our current climate, a night of laughter and heart is exactly what our audience is looking for”.
Same Time, Next Year runs at theatre on the Bay from August 30th to September 16th and then has a limited season at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre from 20th September to October the 8th.
Bookings can be made through the respective theatres or through Webtickets.
Duration: 2-hours including a 20-minute interval.
Not suitable for under 16’s
Singer/songwriter Louise Carver, a passionate advocate of South African music, has curated a 75-minute production that transcends ordinary shows.
The show seamlessly blends iconic classics like “Paradise Road” & “Weeping” with newer hits & Louise’s own chart-toppers, creating a tapestry of soulful ballads, rock anthems & vibrant rhythms.
The carefully crafted setlist, storytelling & impeccable performances will transport you to a place of nostalgia & emotion.
With Louise on piano/vocals, Simphiwe Kulla on guitar/backing vocals & Kenny Williams on percussion, this powerful trio create an acoustic symphony that unites talent & passion, reconnecting the audience to their South African roots.
James Grace & Rocco de Villiers To Ignite Theatre On the Bay.
‘5 Nights in November’ with James Grace & Rocco de Villiers.
Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay from 15-18 November
Performances:
Wednesday 15 November, 8pm
Thursday 16 November, 8pm
Friday, 17 November, 8pm
Saturday, 18 November, 3pm
Saturday, 18 November, 8m
Guitarist James Grace and pianist Rocco de Villiers bring an unlikely collaboration of two musicians different in personalities, style, dress, hair and age.
But they meet in the middle of the musical landscape through that what they are in service of – music and theatre. Walking through this landscape they pause at destinations from Spain to Swellendam, Bach to Bothaville, Mexico to Mondeor and Bethlehem to Bethlehem in the Free State.
The 90-minute show is a celebration of hope, happiness, heritage and history – all facilitated by playing, joking, stories and reflection.
5 Nights.
2 Musicians.
1 Goal.
A note a minute.
A laugh a minute.
A joy a minute.
Not to be missed. Women, men and alternatives welcome.
VR Theatrical presents ‘Up On The Roof – The Carole King Songbook’
From the producers of the smash-hit show, ‘Here’s To You – The Simon & Garfunkel Songbook’ comes another magical theatrical event: UP ON THE ROOF – THE CAROLE KING SONGBOOK is a celebration of Carole King’s hit songs with fresh, new musical arrangements by our very own Wessel Odendaal.
Directed by Elizma Badenhorst and showcasing some of our industry’s most talented performers and instrumentalists.
With a canon of evergreen hits including ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ and ‘I Feel The Earth Move’, Up On The Roof is sure to have you singing and dancing in your seats.
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