Represent Review: Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Catch Janice Honeymoon’s “Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?” at the Market Theatre in Newtown till the end of September, our citizen journalist John went to check it out for Represent, he gives it the thumbs up: “The piece is solid and intense delivering everything you need, laughter, suspense and shock.” Thanks John – here’s his take: I’v long sat with baited breath to see this play – those old enough will recollect the 1966 film with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. This was my first time to see the entire play and I was not disappointed. It’s over two hours long and esssentially features an elderly couple tearing into each other, leaving huge gaping emotional scars – it reminded me of War of the Roses. The piece is full of chuckles and funny bits caused by the elderly couple playing on each other’s emotions and performing in front of a much younger couple and using them as pawns in their mind games. At times the action became quite physical when the older woman, played by Fiona Ramsay, started screaming and choking her husband , played by Sean Taylor. The two older actors deliver stellar performances – I could still hear Fiona Ramsay squeal like a banshee in my dreams that night. Everyone had American accents and some of the subject matter was very American, making it hard to understand some of the funny bits which got totally lost on the audience at times. The younger couple, played by Nicholas Pauling and Erica Wessels gets caught in the middle of this screaming war – they deal with it quite differently than I would have imagined. Erica Wessels caused quite a bit of laughter with her girly-squeaky voice breaking some of the more tense moments in the play. By the way, the play’s title – “Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?” – gets mentioned in the play, but we never found out where it came from . The piece is solid and intense delivering everything you need, laughter, suspense and shock. It’s length – over 2 hours, and 2 intermissions – was the only negative element. This is definitely only for adults though. Strong acting – weird situations – and a little of all of us the recognize – go and watch it ! Tuesdays – Saturdays @ 20h00 Sundays @ 15h00 Ticket prices: Tues – R40; Wed & Thurs – R80; Fri & Sat – R130; Sun – R80...
CT Theatre of Magic coming to Jozi
You know how we occasionally ponder over why CT’s venues, experiences and general taste can outdo Jozi’s time and again? It’s our pondering and we’re sticking with it. Anyway, moan no more. Cape Town brings us the much desired Madame Zingara’s Spiegelpaleis tent and all the bells and whistles as the “Theatre of dreams” slides into Jozi – and it’s yours for the taking! It’s apparently a fantastical, magical, experiential break from the norm…we’ll be at opening night and let you know if the hype is on point. Events companies take note ! 🙂 New venue! Bookings open today. We decided to see what CT bloggers had to say about it, here’s PurpleRonnies take: The tent itself is something amazing to behold. It is huge. It seats around the outside of it in excess of 300 people. It has a stage at the back, a dj, a dance floor/stage in the middle and stained glass windows made in the 1920s and imported specially. The atmosphere was one of excitement and fun and not a little bit of silliness. The waiters and waitresses were all also dressed in various fun, silly or sexy outfits and this just really added to the whole effect. The performances were incredible and the highlight of my evening. The hostess was wonderfully funny, charming and sexy; and had a sultry, silky singing voice. We saw clowns, jugglers, singers, dancers and the like. But the amazing part consisted of three performers who I still drop my jaw at when I picture it in my mind. They suspended themselves from the ceiling using rings, ropes and other dangerously exciting things and suspended and contorted themselves in the most unimaginable ways….. And the official PR: The Theatre Of Dreams comes to The City Of Gold There is a legend that dates back to 1920, one of such grandeur and splendour that she will enchant all who pass through her seductive doors. The Theatre of Dreams is one of only a handful left in the world today. Like every old theatre, her spirit travels with her, woven into ballooning velvet canopies, merry go round dance floors and stained cut-glass windows. Her intimate booths, ornate bar and bevelled mirror columns hold a million secrets, while her glorious chandeliers hang above. The history of these Spiegelpaleis tents dates back to the 1920s when the tents were built to entertain patrons after WWI and were designed to travel across Europe to small villages where no entertainment was available. They have immense history, mystique and beauty to them and hold myriads of secrets in the mirrors and wood walls. Sell out shows across the world bear testament to their...
Represent Review: Blackbird
Wow, sounds like we have a realtime replacement for our addiction to the 24 series. Thanks to Representah John for the review, in summary: “This one is for the hard core theatre goers – leave Granny at home!” If you have the mettle for a violent and graphic theatre show, get to Blackbird at the Market Theatre. Blackbird Market Theatre – Laager Theatre 13 July – 19 August 2007 Blackbird is a thought provoking and explosive play from acclaimed Scottish playwright David Harrower. Fifteen years ago, Ray and Una had a relationship, which devastated their lives and the lives of the people around them. Since then Ray has moved on. He has a new life, a new identity. He didn’t think he could be found. Una has thought of little else but finding him and on discovering where Ray is, sets out to find him with shattering consequences. What evolves is a compelling but uncomfortable drama that encapsulates the unresolved, misshapen, emotional mess that might accompany any suddenly interrupted relationship, legal or otherwise. REPRESENT REVIEW: We visited the Market theatre on Wednesday evening to witness a play by the acclaimed Scottish playwright David Harrower. The cast was British and I was really looking forward to seeing “Blackbird”. I didn’t know what to expect so I sat back and watched in anticipation. The stage was littered with trash and half eaten burgers. It looked like a canteen slash pigsty. People were looking through the sand blasted windows of the set creating a weird feeling every time I noticed them. The lights dimmed and the two main characters appeared. A man, late fifties, and a woman in her late twenties. Both had strong British accents. For fifteen minutes we were totally baffled. We could feel the tension on stage but were at a loss as to what was going on. The man was visibly shaken. The younger woman was constantly attacking him verbally. Then the bombshell dropped. I’m not going to spoil the plot for you, but suffice to say it was one of the most unexpected twists I’ve ever experienced on a stage. This play is definitely not for the timid or faint of heart. It is an hour and fifteen minutes of a continuous emotional rollercoaster ride. The language was graphic and some of the physical fight sequences were very disturbing – though some members of the audience had a chuckle. Maybe they are used to more violence than me… The ending is sad and tragic – but I expected as much after realizing the plot. There are no winners in this story. This is not a typical night...
969 – G-town comes to Jozi
Some of you will remember our recent interview with playwright Kgauza Dube, Joburgers can now catch her play Waiting for Thandiwe as well as Midsummer Nights Dream, Bafana Republic, Tony Cox, Sis’ Doll and a number of other shows fresh n still sizzling from the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Support the arts and catch the 969 festival 2007 – [ 969 kilometres from Grahamstown to Johannesburg ]. GO GO GO! The 969 Festival 2007 – “JOZI’s WINDOW ON THE NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL” Wits Theatre Complex, Braamfontein 25 – 29 July 2007 The waiting is over, the 969 selection committee has made its choice; herewith the /HOT –OFF-THE-PRESS/969 FESTIVAL line -up: THE WITS THEATRE TONY COX -I GOT BLISTERS ON MY FINGERS! 26 & 27 July @ 20h00 – R80,00 Running Time: 60 minutes [ all ages] “ Confident and relaxed, [Tony Cox’s] conversations with his beautiful Mervyn Davis instrument and the responsive audience, are highly entertaining.” – Cue “ Be prepared to be wooed by Tony Cox’s musicianship…” – Durban D’Arts BROTHER NUMBER 28 & 29 July @ 20h00 – R 50,00 Running Time: 60 minutes [ all ages] The Most Amazing Show Written and performed by Rob van Vuuren and James Cairns Directed by Jaco Bouwer. “Fast and funny; cleverly designed” – Cue WITS DOWNSTAIRS THEATRE WAITING FOR THANDIWE 25 & 26 July @ 19h30 – R 50,00 Running Time: 60 minutes [ PG (L)] Kwajuliwe Productions presents Waiting for Thandiwe; featuring and directed by Lulama Masimini. “A moment in a young student’s life as he agonises and reminisces while he waits for Thandiwe.” – Cue WILLY’S ARK 27 & 28 July @ 19h30 – R 50,00 Running Time: 55 minutes [all ages] Redfox Productions Written and directed by Jenine Collocott. Featuring James Borthwick and Yule Mabhena Willy’s Ark is based on a true story. “ You’ll find yourself on a captivating journey taking you deep into the Kalahari Desert where you’ll meet an eccentric man who harbours a love for both Germany and Sophie, a woman from Botswana.” – Cue WITS AMPHITHEATRE ECHOES OF REMEMBRANCE; 25 – 27 July @ 17h30 – R 20,00 Running Time: 45 minutes [ all ages] Sankofa Wits Marimba Band A show “that displays its young performers’ playfulness and creativity…Incredible.” – Cue BAFANA REPUBLIC 25 – 29 July @ 20h00 ( excluding Sat 28 July @ 14h00) – R 50,00 Running Time: 1 hour 20 minutes [ 13+ (SL)] Mike Van Graan “Loosely based on the much anticipated 2010 Soccer World Cup [and] featuring the combined talents of Mike van Graan, Zapiro, Lara Bye, Jaco Bouwer and Lindiwe Matshikiza, a satirical...
Represent Interview: KGAUZA DUBE
We like keeping an eye on some of the formidable people that we meet in life. Kgauhelo Dube is one of them. We love peeps who are full of their very own unique and unusual plans – but we REALLY love peeps who make them happen. Here’s one such person – self-created theatre producer “Kgauza” is taking her one-man show to the G-town festival – read all about how she made the change from PR into theatre and make sure to catch “Waiting for Thandiwe” in G-town. Big ups sisi and break a leg! You inspire us. “Waiting for Thandiwe” – Grahamstown Schedule Venue: Dicks Hall (in the Monument) Tickets: R50/ Students R40 July 2007: Mon 2 10:00 Tue 3 14:00 Wed 4 18:00 Thu 5 12:00 Fri 6 22:00 Sat 7 14:00 Represent: So Kgauza, give us the short version of your backstory if you don’t mind… from birth to now… KG: I am an energetic 25 year-old Pretorian … and have close affinity to my hometown…I think my personality is very reflective of Tshwane…sunny, jazzy and free-spirited. When I was growing up I never wanted anything to do with media or journalism because I used to miss my Mom, who was a busy journalist for the Sowetan…I guess, ironically, I ended up studying Integrated Marketing Communications and landed my first gig in PR and that’s when the media bug got me. After PR, I moved on to strategic planning within advertising, which I quite liked until I made a major move to give the ad game a bit of a break and apply my strategic thinking to advance the arts & culture fraternity, which definitely needs more support on the strategy side in order for it an economically viable industry. Theatre was a genre for me to decide on due to my love for it from an early age. I remember attending all the plays at the school festivals held in high school, yet…I’m not an actor. Momentarily, I am producing “Waiting for Thandiwe”, a romantic 1-man comedy under my baby…my company called Black Curtain Theatre Movement, in partnership with Lulama Masimi, who wrote and starred in the play. Black Curtain Theatre Movement aims to take theatre out of its conventional theatre confines, which at times doesn’t appeal to the youth and also and most importantly, make theatre cool! Another exciting project I am working on is the Newtown Women in Arts Festival; which is happening in August. I am the Deputy Festival Manager and am thoroughly excited about being part of the women-focused cultural revolution! Check out the http://www.newtown.co.za/ site in a few weeks for the programming! Represent: I remember you inviting...
Proudly brought to you by:
