(Lisa Bobbert, Iain Robinson, Jailoshini Naidoo and (kneeling) Tim Wells)
“So, a paleoanthropologist, a mining
engineer, a marketing executive and a housewife walk into a birding hide...”
Twitch, the world premiere of a new South African comedy by Robert
Fridjhon about two harassed couples in a bird hide over a birding weekend
competition, is the first production of the year for acclaimed Durban theatre
producers, KickstArt.
Starring Tim Wells, Lisa Bobbert,
Jailoshini Naidoo and Iain Robinson, Twitch
is directed by Steven Stead and designed by Greg King, with lighting design by
Tina le Roux.
Four twitchers in a bird-hide, somewhere in
the Kruger National Park. They are taking part in a major birding competition.
The first prize is a trip to Mala-Mala, the second prize; a new pair of
binoculars. Furthermore, the team is fighting for their club's reputation as
well as the prestigious Owl Award. The pleasantries and social formalities
slowly begin to unravel with outrageous consequences when uncomfortable truths
are revealed about the birding club, its members and, more specifically, the
characters in the birding hide.
Refinement and courtesy degenerate into
irrelevant and often childlike bickering as the foursome argue evolution versus
creation, man versus nature and the merits of a low-carb diet!
Twitch writer, multi award-winning Robert Fridjhon, has been on the stage
for over 20 years; from Shakespeare to musical theatre, comedy to drama.
Recently he starred in Travels with my
Aunt, Boeing Boeing, A Perfect Wedding, Funny Business and The Mousetrap (which toured to Hong
Kong at the end of 2012).
Fridjhon worked fulltime for FreeMe Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre in 2006 and the majority of the cases he worked on
involved birds. As a passionate conservationist, he is pledging a percentage of
his royalty fee to FreeMe. He was recently involved in a lion rescue and
rehabilitation programme at the Krugersdorp Rhino & Lion Park, where he
raised three of his own lions.
Twitch runs at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from February 7 to 24 with
shows from Tuesday to Saturday at 19h30 (Sundays at 14h00 and 18h00). Tickets
R130 (R100 pensioners and students). There is a special Valentine’s Gala
Performance on February 14 when tickets are R200 each and patrons will receive
complimentary sparkling wine and chocolate on arrival.
Bookings through Computicket. For block
bookings of ten or more, and for early bird group bookings specials for
bookings, contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places on 083 250 2690 or editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com
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