STORIES 2020

(Leah Mari, Roland Perold & Amanda Kunene. Pic by Jacobus van Heerden)

As the end of a very peculiar year approaches, many of us have endured a rollercoaster of hardships and challenges and have material for phenomenal tales. One such creative musical response to lockdown, Stories 2020, will be performed at the Seabrookes Theatre at Durban High School on December 13.

Stories 2020 features Roland Perold, Amanda Kunene, Samantha Landers, Blessing Xaba, Anthony Downing and Leah Mari on vocals, with fellow tunesmith Jaco Griessel on keys. This musical collection of stories is in the form of 12 songs from 7 South African rising composers who have created new material for this collaborative project. Durban is going to be host to the very first showcase of this original material. Perold, Downing, Griessel and Mari were joined by Marcel Meyer, Wessel Odendaal and Luca Hart in composing for this showcase.

“There’s nothing quite like sitting in an auditorium as the lights dim and you await the opening lines, or overture, of a live performance. The conductor takes his place at the podium, the actors enter, the technicians have their fingers hovering over cue buttons and, soon, a collective experience is realised as the audience becomes engrossed by the action,” muses Perold.

“Pre-CoViD19 we had the pleasure of large-scale, well-resourced musicals that came our way by means of Broadway and The West End after years of research and development. At its core, though, is still the old age tradition of storytelling.

“Our Stories series creates a platform for local writers to showcase works at the beginning of the writing process; before helicopters (Miss Saigon) or chandeliers (Phantom) blew budgets out the water. We invite the audience to come along for the ride and witness exciting new material by the country’s leading musical theatre creatives.” states Perold.

“Stories 2020 is a collective of dramaturgs, composers and lyricists who started a song writing circle during South Africa’s COVID hard lockdown. On a regular basis the group met over Zoom presenting new songs, works in development, considered aspects of the craft and challenges relating to new writing; all with the goal of hosting a song writing showcase in December of 2020.

“We invite all those who crave theatre to come and enjoy this very first offering. You may be witness to the birth of South Africa’s next big spectacular musical, or an intimate chamber work that pulls dearly on the collective heart strings.”

The event will be hosted at Seabrookes Theatre on Sunday December 13, at 11h30. A group of six singers will present the material with live piano accompaniment in a one act, 70 minute format. For more information visit http://rolandperold.com/stories-2020/

Tickets R50 booked through Sophie Thompson of Publicity Matters on WhatsApp: 083 609 8729.

All COVID protocols will be observed

GOLD DIGGER SERIES FOR M-NET

(Right: Julia Ormond & Ben Barnes)

The intriguing season premiere of the British mini-series Gold Digger starts on M-Net (Channel 101) on December 2 at 22h25.

When Julia (60) is stood up on her birthday by all her children, she randomly encounters Benjamin (33) at the British Museum, and they begin a romance.

Julia may have finally found the happiness she's always deserved, but Benjamin, as suspected by her family, might be attracted more to her money than Julia herself.

Directed by Vanessa Caswill, Gold Digger stars Julia Ormond; Ben Barnes; Sebastian Armesto; Jemima Rooper and Alex Jennings.

KNIVES OUT FOR M-NET

M-Net (channel 101) will screen the mystery thriller Knives Out on December 6 at 20h05.

This book-inspired murder mystery boasts an all-star cast led by Daniel Craig. When a famous crime writer is found dead, a seasoned detective is enlisted to solve the mystery.

The circumstances surrounding the death of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey are mysterious, but there's one thing that renowned Detective Benoit Blanc knows for sure -- everyone in the wildly dysfunctional Thrombey family is a suspect. 

Now, Blanc must sift through a web of lies and red herrings to uncover the truth.

PIANO @ THE STUDIO

(Right: Barbie Meyer)

Enjoy an evening of song, laughter and food with Barbie Meyer and Jonathan Brauteseth at The Studio in Ramsgate on December 10, 2020, at 18h00 for 18h30.

Tickets R250pp includes show and supper. BYO drinks. Booking is essential through Judy on 061 408 6783

The Studio is situated at 202 Marine Drive in Ramsgate (500m from La Capannina Restaurant)

DURBAN RISING STARS

The South African Society of Music Teachers in collaboration with Friends of Music will present the annual Durban Rising Stars concert on December 6, 2020, at 15h00.

(Right: Aron Ramiah)

The concert features “the cream of the crop”, ten of KZN’s up-and-coming young performers who come together in an exciting celebration of music.

The students will perform on a variety of instruments such as piano, trombone, recorder and clarinet including voice. 

They will present works from baroque to contemporary.

(Left: Alida Esterhuizen)

The young performers include Aron Ramiah (piano); Daniel Sardinha (voice); Savannah Scoular (recorder); Niwedita Bhatta (piano); Lydia Weber (clarinet); Lance Leslie Smith (trombone); Nathan Govender (jazz piano); Bradley Bester (voice); Alida Esterhuizen (piano) and Lasandra Majola (voice).

The programme will feature music from Scarlatti, Beethoven, Castello, Vivaldi, Haydn, Albeniz, Debussy, Aznavour & Kretzmer, Bernstein & Sondheim, Dolly Parton, Foster & Thompson and others.

(Right: Daniel Sardinha)

The concert takes place on December 6, 2020, at 15h00 at the Durban Jewish Centre, 44 KE Masinga (Old Fort) Road in Durban.

Tickets R70 (R20 students R20). Pre-booking is necessary in order to control numbers for Covid19 rules. 

Contact friendsofmusic@webmail.co.za or phone Keith on 071 505 1021 or Bernice on 083 253 7935. Payment can be made at the door.

All Covid protocols will be observed.

ONCE UPON A TUNE

(Steven Stead)

KickstArt and the Rhumbelow Theatre in Durban will present the first one-man show featuring well-known multi-award-winning Once Upon A Tune actor and director, Steven Stead, which will run from December 11 to 13 and on December 16, 2020.

Accompanied on the piano by ace musical director and long-time collaborator, Evan Roberts, Stead will be singing a series of songs that tell stories and are inherently theatrical. They range from witty and wicked comedy songs by Noël Coward, to powerful folk songs by Jacques Brel, to thought-provoking songs from musical theatre composers like Stephen Sondheim, and Kander and Ebb. He will also be singing material from shows that he has appeared in, or been associated with, that also take the form of story-telling songs.

“I have wanted to do an old-fashioned, intimate one-man cabaret for some time now,” says Stead, “But I have always been too busy directing big musicals and pantomimes to focus on anything so complex and fragile. Now that our theatre world has been tragically plunged into a coma thanks to Covid-19, I can ironically realise a dream of mine.

“Acting is story-telling. Making theatre is story-telling. And since the Greek bards sang of the gods and heroes of legend, and the Medieval minstrels sang of the romances and wars of knights and ladies, people have thrilled to stories told by a singer-actor through music,” says Stead.

“I vividly remember going to The Cellar as a youngster, and experiencing the magic of real cabaret, as opposed to music revue, with artists like Danielle Pascale, Judy Page and Sam Marais, and I want to explore this very powerful, very rewarding style of theatre myself. I feel that I am the right age to do this now, and with the brilliant Evan Roberts at my side, I feel brave enough to share my life-experience with an audience.”

Once Upon A Tune runs from December 11 to 13, 2020, with Friday and Saturday shows at 19h30 and Sunday at 14h00. A further performance will take place on December 16 at 18h00. (Venue opens 90 minutes before show for snacks/drinks)

Tickets R160 (R140 pensioners and students with a valid student card). Loyalty Card Holders (R130) ALL SHOWS. Bring food picnic baskets or buy from Kevin.

ALL SEATING WILL BE AT SEPARATE TABLES AND WE WILL OBVIOUSLY BE SEATING CO-HABITING COUPLES AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS.

There is limited secure parking and a bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Booking is essential through Computicket or email: roland@stansell.co.za

For more information contact 082 499 8636 or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/

Rhumbelow Theatre is situated at 42 Cunningham Road, off Bartle Road, in Umbilo, Durban.

ALL TICKETS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED

NO WALK-INS ALLOWED

 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR PATRONS

1.         HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR PATRONS

1.1.      Patrons need to wear a face and nose covering at all times in the venue except when eating or drinking.

1.2.      All patrons will have their temperatures taken on arrival at the venue.

1.3.      All patrons will be required to complete documents relating to Travel and Covid-19 contacts.

1.4.      All patrons will be required to complete an indemnity form.

1.5.      All patrons will be required to complete an attendance register with all appropriate information including confirmation of co-habiting when couples attend.

1.6.      All patrons will be hand sanitized on arrival and at interval.

1.7.      All patrons will be requested to bring hand sanitizer with them to the venue.

1.8.      Any patron who does not meet the required Health & Safety protocols and temperature check will be refused entry.

1.9.      Patrons above the age of 60 or a person with co-morbidities will be discouraged from attending performances. (GOVT GUIDELINES – please be guided by your own health status)

FORTUNATE SON: REVIEW

(Rob Warren, Gareth Gale & Garth Warren. Pic by Val Bottomley)

For fans of Creedence Clearwater Revival, this is a must-see! (Review by Caroline Smart)

Rhumbelow Theatre in Durban is presenting the Black Lapels in Fortunate Son, a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival, from November 27 to 29, 2020. The Black Lapels consists of Rob Warren, Garth Warren and Gareth Gale.

Rob Warren explains that he was at a fleamarket once and bought the CCR album Pendulum which he hadn’t known about. He thought they had only done three previous hit songs. But he didn’t have a record player so had to go out and buy one. Having heard the disc, he realised how much more great music CCR had created. So he immediately told his partners that they had to do a CCR show. Fortunate Son is the result.

Rob Warren just gets better and better each time I see him. His complete mastery of his guitar, his light banter and good stage presence endears him to the audience.

His easy and casual nature and sensitivity to moods in the gentler songs compared to the passionate energy required by some of the numbers, especially his solo numbers, is most impressive.

The trio works together well with great ease and synergy.

Rob’s brother, Garth Warren, is a solid companion on the bass guitar although he tends to appear enigmatic and wrapped in his music. On drums, Gareth Gale is a delight – offering boundless energy and a rapport with the other two.

At interval, one of my companions announced with delight “You couldn’t get anything nicer!” – and that was only half-way through. By the end of the show he was beaming with enjoyment, claiming it “fun, excellent and world class entertainment”.

Did the rest of the audience enjoy it? Absolutely no question about it. With no printed programme available, they had no idea what was coming. However, it invariably only took two or three opening chords for them to recognise the number immediately and respond with cheering enthusiasm.

Top numbers were undoubtedly The Midnight Special, and Travelling Band as well as Suzi Q, Proud Mary, Cotton Fields and Bad Moon Rising.

Good sound and attractive lighting added to the enjoyment.

For fans of Creedence Clearwater Revival, this is a must-see!

Fortunate Son has only one more available performance at Rhumbelow Durban in Umbilo – tomorrow (November 29, 2020) at 14h00.

Tickets R160 (R140 pensioners and students with a valid student card). Loyalty Card Holders (R130) ALL SHOWS. Bring food picnic baskets or buy from Kevin.

ALL SEATING WILL BE AT SEPARATE TABLES AND WE WILL OBVIOUSLY BE SEATING CO-HABITING COUPLES AND/OR FAMILY MEMBERS.

50 % MAX CAPACITY PER SHOW.  ALL TICKETS MUST BE PRE-BOOKED.

NO WALK-INS ALLOWED

Bar available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises) and there is limited secure parking available. Booking is essential on email: roland@stansell.co.za or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/

Rhumbelow Theatre is situated at 42 Cunningham Road off Bartle Road, Durban. – Caroline Smart

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR PATRONS

1.      HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR PATRONS

1.1.   Patrons need to wear a face and nose covering at all times in the venue except when eating or drinking.

1.2.   All patrons will have their temperatures taken on arrival at the venue.

1.3.   All patrons will be required to complete documents relating to Travel and Covid-19 contacts.

1.4.   All patrons will be required to complete an indemnity form.

1.5.   All patrons will be required to complete an attendance register with all appropriate information including confirmation of co-habiting when couples attend.

1.6.   All patrons will be hand sanitized on arrival and at interval.

1.7.   All patrons will be requested to bring hand sanitizer with them to the venue.

1.8.   Any patron who does not meet the required Health & Safety protocols and temperature check will be refused entry.

1.9.   Patrons above the age of 60 or a person with co-morbidities will be discouraged from attending performances.  - DISCOURAGED ONLY IN TERMS OF GOVT GUIDELINES

STORIES 2020

(Leah Mari, Roland Perold & Amanda Kunene. Pic by Jacobus van Heerden)

As the end of a very peculiar year approaches, many have endured a rollercoaster of hardships and challenges and have material for phenomenal tales. One such creative musical response to lockdown, Stories 2020, will be performed at the Seabrookes Theatre at Durban High School on Sunday December 13, 2020.

Stories 2020 features Roland Perold, Amanda Kunene, Samantha Landers, Blessing Xaba, Anthony Downing and Leah Mari on vocals, with fellow tunesmith Jaco Griessel on keys. This musical collection of stories is in the form of 12 songs from seven South African rising composers who have created new material for this collaborative project.

Durban is going to be host to the very first showcase of this original material. Perold, Downing, Griessel and Mari were joined by Marcel Meyer, Wessel Odendaal and Luca Hart in composing for this showcase.

“There’s nothing quite like sitting in an auditorium as the lights dim and you await the opening lines, or overture, of a live performance. The conductor takes his place at the podium, the actors enter, the technicians have their fingers hovering over cue buttons and, soon, a collective experience is realised as the audience becomes engrossed by the action,” muses Perold.

“Pre-CoViD19 we had the pleasure of large-scale, well-resourced musicals that came our way by means of Broadway and The West End after years of research and development. At its core, though, is still the old age tradition of storytelling.

“Our Stories series creates a platform for local writers to showcase works at the beginning of the writing process; before helicopters (Miss Saigon) or chandeliers (Phantom) blew budgets out the water. We invite the audience to come along for the ride and witness exciting new material by the country’s leading musical theatre creatives.” states Perold.

“Stories 2020 is a collective of dramaturgs, composers and lyricists who started a songwriting circle during South Africa’s COVID hard lockdown. On a regular basis, the group met over Zoom presenting new songs, works in development, considered aspects of the craft and challenges relating to new writing; all with the goal of hosting a songwriting showcase in December of 2020.

“We invite all those who crave theatre to come and enjoy this very first offering. You may be witness to the birth of South Africa’s next big spectacular musical, or an intimate chamber work that pulls dearly on the collective heart strings,” adds Perold.

The event will be hosted at the Seabrookes Theatre at Durban High School on December 13, 2020, at 11h30. A group of six singers will present the material with live piano accompaniment in a one act, 70 minute format. For more info visit http://rolandperold.com/stories-2020/

Tickets R50 booked through Sophie Thompson of Publicity Matters, on WhatsApp: 083 609 8729.

All COVID protocols will be observed

IT GROWS MUSICAL REVUE

(Right: Simthandile Mtolo)

It Grows, The Musical is a solo music revue and multi-media art exhibition experience that looks at the complexity of life and love, from an honest and intrinsically personal perspective of a black woman working in the arts - created and performed by Durban performer and visual artist, Simthandile Mtolo which comes to Seabrooke’s Theatre on DHS campus between December 3 and 5.

In It Grows, The Musical, Mtolo is releasing music that has been simmering for a very long time. Music that she wrote over the years, inspired by experience and emotions, which she has held onto waiting for the right time to perform. A time of introspection and creativity over lockdown has prompted her to take to the stage with it now.

“The songs are divided into segments that touch on values and morals, responsibilities and love, and are interconnected together with subtle comedy and interactive links,” she explains. Mtolo will be singing live – her music and lyrics are original.

Mtolo is a seasoned songstress and multi-disciplined arts practitioner who has been a full-time creative specialist for 15 years. “I have remained loyal to an authentic creative delivery and the importance of its relationship to an audience and I have spent lockdown nurturing my craft and adding to my body of work,” explains Mtolo.

(Work by Simthandile Mtolo)

In this production, she will also be exhibiting a range of pieces she has been working on, inspired by introspective growth and the ability to acquire absolute satisfaction from reaching within. Her pieces use wool and printed fabrics, and mostly admire the authentic features of African women. Mtolo will also have her handmade bead collection on display.

Through her business, Ebonygypsy, she has produced several conceptual events such as The Township Jazz Society which is an innermost jazz affair that features between 8 to 10 local jazz bands from around Durban and has showcased in venues such as The Protea Edward Hotel and Artizen Lounge.

Another is her annual all-female production titled, A Woman, A Hat, A Bag, And Her Belly. This show debuted at the Catalina Theatre in 2011 and featured Durban’s greatest hidden gems in various performance styles, as well as some expecting mothers through an adorable movement piece and fashion show.

It Grows, The Musical runs at Seabrooke’s Theatre, DHS, from December 3 to 5 at 19h00. Anticipate a feast for your eyes while you enjoy a drink, compliments of KWV. Tickets R150 available at Web Tickets at https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1504114489

Follow her on Instagram @SimthandileMtolo, @TownshipJazz Twitter @_Simthandile_ And on Facebook @SimthandileMtolo @TownshipJazzSociety @Ebonygypsy.

DURBAN NOBEL PRIZE-WINNER, ARRON KLUG, REMEMBERED

(DHS Old Boys, Sir Aaron Klug: Crystallographer who won a Nobel prize for 3D imaging of viruses. Photo Credit: Anne-Katrin Purkiss)

One of Durban High School’s most distinguished alumni was biophysicist, Sir Aaron Klug OM FRS FMedSci HonFRMS - a Lithuanian-born, South African-educated, British #biophysicist, and winner of the 1982 #Nobel Prize in #Chemistry

Friday, 20 November, marked the second anniversary of his passing (1926 – 2018) - he died when he was 92! This year, in a world ravaged by a virus, it is appropriate that we acknowledge one of our school’s forefathers who dedicated his career to the study of macromolecules such as #viruses which helped inform our global research of viruses, even today.

In his obituary honouring Klug, his close friend and author of Aaron Klug: A Long Way from Durban, Kenneth Holmes wrote: “His invention of electron tomography, in which a 3D image of a virus is obtained from many electron micrographs, won him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1982. He discovered proteins called zinc fingers that recognize #DNA sequences and initiate the transcription of RNA — work that became the basis of gene therapy.”

A child prodigy, Klug was reading the newspaper aged three-and-a-half. At 15, he won a scholarship to study medicine at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Klug switched after a year to natural science and graduated with first-class honours in physics, chemistry and mathematics.

He had a prolific, brilliant, and much awarded career in research and discovery. Arguably he is the only South African matriculant to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry. DHS is proud to be associated with him.

Not only did Sir Aaron Klug personify the DHS spirit of educational curiosity, intrepid tenacity and constant collaboration, but his approach to life and the sciences also underpins the three pillars of the new educational institution being birthed by DHS: Swales Online Academy.

As part of the multi-nodal education campus that DHS has become, Swales is named after another respected alumnus, Major Edwin (Ted) Swales VC - a South African pilot and World War II hero. To encourage learners in the ways of academic alumni such as Sir Aaron Klug, the motto of the academy is Explore, Think, Engage.

“As a mathematician his love of numbers and patterns may have aroused a degree of amusement to him observing that the second anniversary of his passing would bear the date of 20.11.2020 – there is poetry in numbers!” muses Winston Owen, Director of Swales Online Academy and Old Boy of DHS.

Swales is receiving applications for the 2021 academic year for boys and girls from Grade 4 to Grade 9.

ELANA BREGIN WRITING WORKSHOP

(Right: Elana Bregin)

Well-known KZN writer Elana Bregin will host a writing workshop in January.

Come and find your inspiration on a three-day guided Writing Retreat at the beautiful peaceful Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo.

“Whether to begin a new story, untangle an existing one, or simply renew the inspirational fire, the retreat will offer you the time, space and creative kickstart you need to get your writing underway,” says Bregin. She promises stimulating company, scenic walks, fireside talks and expert writing support.

The workshop takes place from January 4 to 7, 2021, at the Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo, KZN.

Cost: R1,600 for writing workshop plus three nights BRC accommodation starting at R850 per night, meals included.

To book contact: elana.bregin@gmail.com or 071 493 0791.

 

 

ANDREW WALFORD & EICKE SCHMIDT EXHIBITION

(Andrew Walford)

Well-known KZN Zulu Zen potter Andrew Walford and jeweller Eicke Schmidt will host a joint exhibition in Saxonwold, Johannesburg

This will take place from December 4 to 6, 2020.

Friday: 14h00 to 18h00

Saturday 09h00 to 18h00

Sunday 09h00 to 14h00

(Jewellery by Eicke Schmidt)

The exhibition will take place at 17 Griswold Avenue (off Oxford Road), Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

For more information contact andrew@andrewwalford.co.za or call 076 500 3610 or 082 794 7796