STABLE THEATRE WORLD CUP PRODUCTIONS

Stable Theatre to present a vibrant programme of shows over the World Cup season.

Every Sunday from June 11 to July 11, Sunday Sundowners offer a real taste of KwaZulu-Natal with sweet sounds of jazz and the melodic strains of Maskandi.

The Big Gals directed by Faca Kulu (from June 8 to 11 at 19h00) is a musical story of three women who meet after 25 years in a school reunion. They start rehearsing music they used to sing as young girls. During rehearsals, they reminisce about the good old days telling their personal stories through powerful voices. The Big Gals is a celebration of being women. Despite pain, poverty and all other challenges, women never give up.

Directed by Zeph Nzama, Mine Story (June 12 & 19 and July 10) is a gumboot acappella music explosion. It tells the story of the mines where men suppressed the pain and fear of their underground workplace with powerful acappella music called Isicathamiya, made internationally famous by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The miners used their creativity to produce rhythms and sound with their rubber boots which gave birth to gumboot dance. The story is told by an energetic cast of 60 men who sing like angels and dance as if possessed by demons!

Maluju Zulu directed by Bonginkosi Shangase (from June 15 to 18 at 19h00) is a powerful musical of celebrating peace in KwaZulu-Natal told through music. Ingoma and other forms of Zulu dance are woven creatively by a narrator. Maluju Zulu boasts colourful costumes and it is a display of Zulu culture at its best.

Boomgate (from June 22 to 25) is a physical theatre piece by four vibrant experienced actors telling the story of development in the community using wrong methodology which leads to the community uproar. The story is told through body language, humour and sound.

Zulu Dance Extravaganza, directed by Bheki Mbili (June 26 and July 3 & 11) features Zulu dance which is the most popular dance in the world because of the famous Shaka Zulu production. It has many different styles and each style has a regional influence. Zulu Dance Extravaganza is a celebration and fusion of ingoma, isishayameni, indlamu, isibhaca and amahubo. The vigorous dances will be displayed by fifty strongly-built men and beautiful Zulu girls.

The Stable Theatre is situated at 115 Johannes Nkosi Street (formerly Alice Street), Durban. Bookings on 031 309 2513, fax 031 309 2558 or email: stabletheatre@telkomsa.net

The website at www.stabletheatre.co.za is currently under construction but should be available from May 15.