(Dhaveshan Govender and Shika Budhoo)
This two-for-the-price-of-one double bill is not to be missed next month.
The Catalina Theatre, in association with Dizzy Dragonfly, offers a great double bill of entertainment. Shika & The King combines two acclaimed one-handers, Shika-Land! and King of Old Trafford, to provide a double dose of local theatre talent at its best.
Shika-Land! is scripted and performed by Shika Budhoo and features five characters from across the globe all named Shika. Budhoo plays women from India, France, London, Trinidad and South Africa with pitch-perfect accents, song and chameleon-like transformations.
King of Old Trafford, written and performed by Dhaveshan Govender, is one man’s tale of life, love and Manchester United. Govender plays a variety of local characters as he tells the story of a Manchester United super-fan.
Both shows have had individual critical acclaim at The Mercury Durban Theatre Awards, with Shika-Land!! Having earned nominations for Best New South African Script, Strictly Solo and Best Actress in 2011; and King of Old Trafford earning a Strictly Solo nomination in its initial 2007-2008 run.
Budhoo and Govender are widely loved for their long-running radio roles of Mrs Singh Song and Storm in Lollipop Lane, as well as a string of theatre and screen credits. The couple showed their on-stage dynamic when they appeared together in Sunghursh (2010), Spice 'n Stuff (2011) and the multiple award-winning children’s show, The Fantastical Flea Circus (2011) amongst others; and in May this year, they were two of the onstage 'friends' in the comedy Fundraiser Show, Riaad Moosa and Friends.
Shika-Land! and King of Old Trafford, both their first one-hander plays, directed by each other, show Budhoo and Govender individually giving a taste of their passion as playwrights and performers in Shika and The King. The audience can expect a rollercoaster of emotion, shedding a tear one moment and roaring with laughter the next.
Shika & The King gives Durban audiences the opportunity to catch both shows for the price of one at R65 a ticket, before being staged individually at this year’s National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
Shika & The King (age restriction of over 16 years) runs at The Catalina Theatre, Wilsons Wharf, from June 20 to 24. Early booking is advised on 031 305 6889 or online at: www.strictlytickets.com