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...
Happy Birthday Tata Madiba from Represent
Tata Madiba…. Represent loves you…. We’d like to take this moment to extend a heartfelt and proudly African Happy Birthday to our hero Dr. Nelson Rolihlanhla Mandela. May your life continue to be blessed and may your wisdom live on to always be our guide. Words cannot express how much we love and thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to free our country from our past and set us on the road to a promising future. We will continue to be inspired by you and to do whatever we can to promote the virtues of love, understanding and diversity as you taught us. We will not be discouraged nor distracted for we know that our hearts are good and our intent meaningful and that we have the power to continue to make a difference in our society, just like you. Thank you for your love. HAPPY BDAY! Viva Madiba Viva! Thanks to Kelly for sharing her special photo of Tata Madiba with...
Represent Interview: David Kau
We’re super excited to know that one of our favourite stand up comedians, David Kau has a DVD out – we’re sure you are too. We asked David to catch us up on what he’s up to these days. Enjoy another Represent close up with David Kau! We’ve been blessed to have you on Represent in many different ways over the years, what do you think of Represent and what could we do in your opinion, to grow? Advertise on or join Facebook and Myspace.com So David, give us the short version of your backstory if you don’t mind… from birth to now, how did you find yourself where you are at? How old are you and where do you live? Born in Kroonstad, Free State. Went to a Catholic school, then Cape Town, Matriculated in Pretoria, Bridging for Electrical Engineering at Pretoria tech. Performers Diploma in Speech and Drama from UCT, Smirniff International Comedy Festival, Heavyweight Comedy Jam, BLACKS ONLY, I did these Jokes 1st, 29years old, Engaged, house in Kyalami, Midrand We know you as a comedian, is there something youre not telling us? I’m an Alien from a planet called Kripton How do you define and describe yourself? I’never had to describe myself Have you been lucky in life, if so, tell us how? You’re interviewing me AGAIN … (Mo FIRE!) What was the last exciting thing that happened to you? My stand up comedy dvd is finally out … after 9 years of being a stand up comedian. What do you love about Johannesburg? My fiance, my new house, my friends. What would you change about jozi if you could? The crime and the traffic. Poor people must ‘Keep Walking’ – too many fucking cheap cars on the road. What’s your ideal city to live in and why? Johannesburg. All the illegal immigrants come here there must be something … Have you travelled – what was your favourite place and why? New York. It’s almost like in the movies and Sex and The City What do you do in the evenings and on weekends? What’s your buzz? If I’m not working I look at my beibi (fiance ) in the eye, watch tv, go to half price movies, have friends over for dinner. Do you have any mentors? If so, who are they? LIFE ! I’m only going to live once … Besides that there’s too many people to mention. Some I’d rather keep private. Who are your top 5 South Africa comedians ? Riaad Moosa , Chris Forrest, Kagiso Lediga, John Vlismas, Martin Jonas – Any international? Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Greer Barnes So tell...
Represent Competition: Win with DORP!
Many old faithful SA rockers will remember DORP the band that rocked our world’s mid to late 90’s. We have to give a massive big ups to these guys for never giving up – seems like their time is now as their single “London out there” (video) gathers some traction in the UK where they are now based. They’re bringing it home in August and we have an awesome prize for a lucky Representah to celebrate their return: a Dorp goodiebag filled with: Limited edition CD single, 2 different limited edition vinyls, Dorp Sticker, T shirt and 2 tickets into a dorp show on their tour to SA… Awesome hey? Simply read the article below, email editor@represent.co.za with your name, age and cell number and answer the question: “What is the name of the brand new DORP single ?” (Clue: they’re coming to shoot the video here.) Read all about their backstory below. Following on from their hugely successful SA tour in December 2006 and the incredible response from radio to their previous single, “London Out There”, Dorp return to South Africa in August of this year for 8 date tour and video shoot AND to release their latest single , “Simon Says’. “As Kevin and I are from SA, we always like to return as much as we can,” commented lead singer Piet Bez, “But nowadays its also a business pleasure. We are so pleased that the South African music public has taken to our new music so well, and its great to play to a home town crowd. The best part is that our French DJ and English drummer also absolutely love it!” The tour stretches from Oppikoppi in the North, to Cape Town, back to Durban and returns to Johannesburg before August is out. The band will also be taking time out to shoot a new music video and the public is warned to listen out for the new single, Simon Says from their forthcoming album, on radio stations countrywide. The Tour Thursday 09 August Oppikoppi Festival Friday 10August Johannesburg The Dome Thursday 16 August Stellenbosch Hidden Cellar Friday 17.August Cape Town Mercury Live Saturday 18 August Durban Burn Wednesday 22August Pretoria Tings ‘n Times Friday 24 August Johannesburg Roxy’s Sat 25 August Johannesburg 5FM Live For more on the band and their London life, visit www.myspace.com/dorp An Illuminating History of Dorp Way back in the dusts of time, circa 1996, a gang of old School friends got together in Somerset West to create the then Boere-Ska band that was to become known as Dorp. This entity spent seven years developing a reputation for infectious, totally mad live shows and released three albums and an EP in South Arica, before...
Representah: A close up with Joss Stone
So we didn’t get to go to Live Earth and apologies to our readers for not being able to cover it. MAAR! One of our Representah’s Sheena got invited to get close up and persoonlik with a gorgeous Ms Joss Stone at the SABC with about 100 other lucky peeps. She soul’d them down the river: All flaying arms and unbelievably long legs, Joss Stone certainly knows how to put on a concert – albeit one that only about 100 lucky sods had the opportunity to attend. In South Africa for the Live Earth concert this past weekend, Joss allowed her arm to be twisted for an impromptu gathering of die-hards in the underbelly of the SABC on Sunday afternoon. The gig was recorded in a tiny studio for MTV Base and 5FM Live and was cosy and sublime. She was in and out, belting out just five songs that nevertheless rounded off perfectly what every Sunday should have – laid-back, smiley good vibes. Joss started off slowly with ballads from her new album Introducing Joss Stone, and then nearly, almost had the crowd on their feet with Super Duper Love from The Soul Sessions, released in 2004. Tell Me ’Bout It completed the solidly soulful mini-concert. Backed by the recently departed James Brown’s unbelievably funky band, her backing band of choice on tour – the performance was a true treat. Seems the SABC, however, really scraped the bottom of the barrel with the crowd. They missed all her queues for the “woo hoos” normally expected on a live recording and it took much effort from her off-stage team to get people to show their appreciation with their hands. It was slightly embarrassing – but seemed to waft right past her ear-to-ear grin. Barefoot and with her hair Japanese-straight, she happily kicked her heels outside the venue waiting for her team to get the sound set-up just right. But it was clear who the boss was when minutes into the first song her tour manager ran to the front frantically waving his arms for her to stop and start again. Seems the two keyboards tracks were not being recorded. With a flick of her recently purple highlights, the manager was sent meekly into the shadows as Ms Stone made it clear that this Grammy and Brit Award winning artist wasn’t about to stop. The team laid down the missing keyboard tracks after the gig. Wearing a baby-doll top emblazoned with fairies (coupled with THAT short skirt from the Tell Me ’Bout It video) Stone lived up stylishly to the “neo hippie” style she apparently embraces. She told us her new...
MOVE FAST! Young Guns looking for directors
We have been meaning to put this on since earlier this week – apologies. Aspirant filmmakers Levi’s are looking to team you up with one of the muso’s in their Young Guns stable to create a music video! Calling your name? Hurry – you need to drop your showreel in Pretoria by the 12 July. Check out below: Levi’s Young Guns gives filmmakers a chance to put themselves on the map!! Levi’s Young Guns have been turning the music world around, forcing people to stand up and take notice of the incredible non-conformist talent that exists under the radar. These musical trailblazers are proving that you don’t need to play according to the rules to be heard. And now Levi’s Original Music is extending this opportunity to South Africa’s next generation of SA”s best filmmakers, giving them the chance to put themselves on the celluloid map and make the same sort of impact as their loud brothers and sisters. So all you talented up-and-coming directors listen up. Here’s the chance to work with the equally gifted Levi’s Young Guns artists or bands. You could get work with two of these musicians and turn one track of each into a music video. Send through your showreel and a short resume of the most exciting work that you’ve done so far, and if your movie-making skills are impressive enough, Levi’s Original Music will fund the production of these videos. It’s your chance to be seen and become famous. The whole idea is that these young directors attend one of the five Levi’s Young Guns events around the country. Here they’ll shoot the two acts performing on the night and use this footage in the final cut of the two different music videos. The remainder of the content for each music video can be created at the director’s discretion – think animation, stop-motion, studio shoot, exotic locations or even entirely from footage shot onstage. These Levi’ Young Guns filmmakers will get to work closely with their musical counterparts to develop the storyboards for the music videos. It’s a partnership made in underground heaven – a chance for the ears and eyes of the young underground to get out there and get noticed. So you’re an aspirant filmmaker and you’ve got an eye – a unique way of seeing the world – and you have a shared passion for the rebellious nature that underscored the whole Levi’s Young Guns philosophy, then send in some clips and you may soon have your work being seen by fellow young upstarts all over Africa. Showreels can be dropped off at: (deadline 12th July) Oppikoppi Offices Nicholson...
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