TUCKSHOP IN CHATSWORTH

Performance at the Rajput Hall on June 26.

Tuckshop, one of the most interesting original new productions to reach the Durban stages this year, will have one show only at Rajput Hall on June 26.

The production takes place in around Mr Khan’s informal tuckshop, and neighbouring Lungi’s shebeen, on the border of Phoenix and KwaMashu. The musical is poignant, charming, funny and sad.

Tuckshop looks into the lives of just some of the individuals in the community of Phoenix whose stories are connected by love and tragedy. The personalities are easy to recognise. There’s the kindly tuckshop owner with a son in jail who plays the role of counsellor and peacekeeper while selling necessities. Then there’s the disempowered out-of-work husband; the brittle angry wife; the adolescent teenager sneaking cigarettes behind her parents’ back, and the no-nonsense but compassion shebeen manager. The issues and personalities are all recognisable, and the story told with love, understanding and respect.

Tuckshop is written and produced by Pranesh Maharaj who co-directs with Riyash Misra and features original music and choreography. The live band on stage includes great musicians Mike Mazzoni on drums; Zinhle Mthembu on percussion; Lee Ngidi on bass and Richard Ellis as Music Director and on guitar. Dance and movement is choreographed by Melanie Kisten with a talented cast including Anesh Dusrath, Samkelisiwe Hlophe, Yasmin Seedat, Lovie Ramas Rai, Tashmika Harilall, Salona Surjoo, Nthando Mncube, Ayanda Khanyile, Michelle Kisten, Nomonde Matiwane, Darshana Moti and production manager Ilasha Ramaloo.

Already with a stage show Cassandra at No.77 and various radio dramas as well as his own shows as an individual, Pranesh Maharaj has created a production company with Anesh Dusrath. Titled Polart Productions, its purpose is to create new projects especially for budding artists. Tuckshop is their latest offering that takes a leap in size compared to all the work they have done thus far.

The performance on June 26 will take place at the Rajput Hall in Chatsworth at 19h00. Tickets R50 pp available at Nazir’s Gift Centre in Chatsworth Centre. Seating: anywhere. Seating: unreserved.