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Review/Preview Snippets
Cauterized Ameba
Creatively staged and directed, Cauterized Ameba is an audience engaging piece that exams life’s ‘calling’ under a uniquely South African context. Its protagonist struggles to decide between a career as a doctor or a Sangoma. It takes you on a schizophrenic journey that arrives at a rather interesting conclusion.
Rating: 2/5 stars
CW-FJP
Open Mike
Creativity pours from the poets mouths like rainbow water from a waterfall. It unites, identifies, and penetrates the body deep into the soul. Informal, young, old, deep and just on the surface is what an open Mike session is. The power of the words.
Rating:4/5 stars
AM
The Memorial Project
Interactive theatre that tells the audience is stories through the actors performances. Inspiring the audience to bring their memories to "life". Basically "creating theatre with their stories". A performance of improvisation for those who'll enjoy a production performed not according to a prepared script, but rather on the different experiences shared by the audience. 4/5 -M.H
Mantolo – The Tenth Step
A brilliant Performance!!!! Aubrey Sekhabi a veteran story teller has achieved a remarkable victory yet again. Mantolo, a freedom fighter who was wrongly accused of murder, and faces the death sentence, was reprieved at the last minute. One cab smell the terror as this true story is skilfully acted out by the players who weave the story of Mantolo’s life, his victories, despair, torture, fear and finally freedom to a new world. The Nationalist Government unveiled unrelenting hatred on the ANC who were driven underground to fight for the freedom of their people.
Rating:5/5 stars
LP
Ubuhle Bomzansi
A musical theatre production that chronicles the rich South African culture, Ubuhle Bomzansi tells the lovely story of the traditions, pride, beauty and evolution of the diverse cultures of this Rainbow nation. Most of the traditional dances of the various tribes are brilliantly featured. Go, go, go, watch it!.
Rating: 5/5 stars
SBM-FJP
Mzansi Zulu Dancers
More than simply a beautiful cultural display of music and dance, the significance of the movements as well as their historical context is shared with the audience. Traditional prayer to the ancestors, chanting, mockfighting as well as individual displays make this a rich and thrilling show. The vibrant intensity of the drumming and dance is tremendous.
Rating: 4/5 stars
RKR
Finn & the Salmon of Knowledge
Finn is an Irish hero and a group of young people tell the tales of his life accompanied by a guitar and percussion. One does not want to be too critical but I found the actors / dancers slightly under rehearsed and at times almost disinterested in the performance. Interesting choreography and movements.
Rating: 2/5 stars
JH
I'm Just John The Flowerman
A mixture of dance, music, and a heart warming storyline. The story is about Nomalanga, a teenage girl who chooses to defy her abusive father just so can follow her dream of pursuing a career in the arts. Events that take place in the build-up to her success add to all the drama.
Rating:2/5 stars
S.M
Some Grow Young
A melodic experimental 2 man guitar based band.Their interesting lyrics and laid back strummings infused with themes such as medieval myth and middle eastern arabesque melodies possibly make them worth a listen for those that enjoy something a little out of the mainstream and would like to support upcoming artists driven by the sheer enjoyment of their art.
Ratings:2/5 stars
ZM
Where the Heart Is
Highly recommended. I was sceptical going in, but was bowled over and enjoyed it thoroughly. Polished performance by three actors, this drama also incorporate poetry. It’s funny and educational play that depict how children end up on streets. It’s the drama at its best. Go to the library hall and be entertained by Tebza, Busi and Sticks. Language is Xhosa and English.
Rating:4/5 stars
YT
Tracing!! Footsteps
A short, intense play about a relationship under pressure and the choices people make, all developed within the metaphor of a chess game. The dialogue and the references to chess were sometimes a bit difficult to hear and to follow, but the conviction of the performers' kept the audiences' attention throughout.
Rating:3/5 stars
TK
Le Carnival de ma Vie
The Carnival in this love story is the merry-go-round of meeting and loss. The beautiful pain of remembered laughter and passion is movingly and fittingly presented through mime and song. An imaginative and elegant piece of dance theatre that will delight, move and inspire you. Don’t miss it this time round.
Rating:5/5 stars
PB
Isabella
Doubtless inspired by his pasa doble in the sudden death of Strictly Come Dancing, Rob Van Vuuren directs this dance macabre featuring Scott Sparrow, who matches Rob himself for athleticism and versatility. Leila Anderson provides a perfect foil for Sparrow as she partners him in "another final performance?" in the Graveyard theatre. The audience loved it. Suitability - all ages.
Rating: 4/5 stars MW
Celebration of our poets, composers and writers
African sing and dance pays tribute to Africans of old and new. Powerful verse provides you with a sensation of bewilderment through vibrant speech and decorative ware. Bare in mind this is in African language so you may want to bring a translator along. A clear message.
GS
Dance Spectrum
Dance Spectrum is an exquisite performance of contemoorary and jazz dance performed by very talented young dancers from the national school of the Arts. With a beautiful duet by Saraje Sowter and Thamsanqa Tshabalala titled ‘The moment I said it’. A mix of funky jazz and contemporary that makes for great entertainment.
Rating 4/5 stars
AZ
SpRokiesland word SpOkiesland
Wat gebeur as al die sprokies gekanselleer word? Kom kyk hoe gunstellinge soos Liewe Heksie en Hansie en Grietjie die Koning probeer oorreed om hul te spaar. Daar is musiek en dans vir die kleingoed, onverwagte draaie vanaf die gewone sprokies so die ouer kinders wat die verhale ken sal dit ook geniet.
English: Sprokiesland word spokiesland What if all the fairy tales get cancelled? Join favourite characters - from Liewe Heksie to Sleeping Beauty - as they try to convince the King otherwise. Completely Afrikaans, it features music and dance for the little ones, is interactive and fun for kids a bit older, with a grown up joke or two for mom and dad.
Rating 3/5
ADP
Hayani
Ramabulana and Kani put on a brave and moving two-man show about their search for identity, based on fascinating personal experiences. Superb story telling techniques and novel use of the stage with the murals.
Takes a while to get into but once you do they will leave you weeping. The stories connect cleverly: with sad twists.
Rating 5/5
MM
A Girl's Best Friend
A comedy that will leave you in fits. Candice Lynn Williams’ A Girl’s Best Friend is a story about a girl on the eve of her wedding when her Maid of Honour tries to organise a hen night for her. Terribly funny; great acting. Wholly recommended.
Rating 5/5
SBM-FJP
Live @ Cuervo: ETC Crew, Autopilot, Parlotones
Mix of genres was the theme of the night, which ironically was in line with the very cosmopolitan crowd that attended the show.The evening was opened by the dynamic Cape Town hip hop group ETC Crew, followed much later by the more mainstream Autopilot. The main attraction of the night however, The Parlotones wowed the mixed crowd in their usual style and appeared to be enjoyed by all.
Rating: 3/5 stars
ZM
My Alex (Musical Production)
It was a complete no-show for the musical production My Alex written and directed by Joseph Rapola. The 14:30 gig was up as soon as City Hall Stage Manager Lauren Nel let it slip that the performers hadn’t even pitched for rehearsal yesterday. Drat! JSFJP
