13TH WOMEN’S ARTS FESTIVAL

(Pic: Gcina Mhlophe will host an Open Mic Poetry and Dialogue Session)

13th SA Women’s Arts Festival to run at the Playhouse from July 24 to August 9.

Powerhouse media and entertainment trio, Krijay Govender (Rhythm City director), Leeanda Reddy (Isidingo, Mr Bones 2) and Kaseran Pillay (Going Nowhere Slowly, IPL Ads), take to the Playhouse Opera stage for their laugh-a-line appearances in Queens of Comedy on July 31 and August 1 for three performances. The show, which forms part of the 13th SA Women’s Arts Festival (SAWAF) at the Playhouse, features fast-paced, stand-up comedy routines interlaced with comic sketches and some very identifiable characters.

Also on the SAWAF roster is the hit musical Jimbo, directed by Themi Venturas and starring Jailoshini Naidoo, Percy Smith, Hamish Kyd and Afzal Khan. The production, now running in the Playhouse Drama until August 9, evokes memories of Durban’s Indian Market and Warwick Triangle as they were 40 years ago.

SAWAF’s big stage Gala Concert takes place on August 8 in the Opera, starting at 18h00. This glitzy event spotlights the high-powered line-up of acclaimed Durban born diva Debora Fraser, much loved jazz star Busi Mhlongo, and gospel groups Avante and Old Time Religion Quartet, with uKhozi FM celebrity MC’s Linda Sibiya and Dudu Khoza.

Another SAWAF feature will be a special Open Mic Poetry and Dialogue Session, in the Playhouse Grand Foyer on August 8 at 15h00 (admission free). Hosted by Gcina Mhlophe, the session encourages contributions from upcoming poets and story tellers. The session will also include discourse centering around the topic of ‘Excellence in Womanhood’, which will cover issues that pertain to girl-children, women in the workplace, women as home-makers, women in leadership, among others.

Booking for SAWAF productions is through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or The Playhouse on 031 369 9540 or 031 369 9596. For more information about shows at The Playhouse log onto www.playhousecompany.com