DEAR BREEDER

(Kasia Vosloo & Karen Logan. Pic by Paulo Menezes)

Created and performed by Karen Logan and Kasia Vosloo and directed by Iain EWOK Robinson, Dear Breeder comes to the Rhumbelow Theatre in Durban next weekend. It’s described as a “kid’s show” about adults (not for kids)!

Dear Breeder follows three uniquely insane instantly-recognizable mothers (all played by Karen Logan), drawn together by the Peter Rabbit Pre-Primary School’s end of year Nativity play. Through the musical lens of the recently “preggers” drama teacher, Ms Du Bois, (Kasia Vosloo) the audience is taken on a strangely familiar journey as the mothers rant, rampage, and reconcile their way to producing an original Nativity play.

Beset with dramas (Angel Gabriel peeing on baby Jesus, two Wise Men and a four year-old feminist), the journey towards the Christmas show mirrors the roller-coaster ride that is being a parent, causing Ms Du Bois to wonder what exactly this whole breeding thing is all about.

Dear Breeder was first performed at the 2014 PANSA Musho! Theatre Festival of One and Two Person Theatre where it won two awards: The Suliman Selection and The Audience Runner-up Award (sponsored by Going Places SA)

Shows take place on April 4 and 5 at 20h00 and on April 6 at 14h00 and 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner. Tickets R120 (R100 pensioners and tables of eight or more).

Take along food picnic baskets. Braais will be available. There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow Durban is situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road.

Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net

LINDIWE MAXOLO

(Lindiwe Maxolo)

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music will present SAMA19 Best Jazz Album nominee, Lindiwe Maxolo, at UKZN’s Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on April 2.

Lindiwe “Bongiwe” Maxolo has dabbled in afro-jazz, pop and gospel music but it is jazz and gospel that have stolen her heart. Vocally she’s been described as “a cross between Tania Maria and Oumou Sangare, with Busi Mhlongo’s sensibilities – pitchy and infused with the confidence of someone who’s comfortable with fronting a high-brow jazz trio”.

Maxolo holds a Cum Laude Honours Degree in Jazz Music, from the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her musical highlights include winning the 2002 Afro Vocal Category in the Old Mutual Jazz Encounters Competition, opening for the legendary Lee Ritemour, working with Sibongile Khumalo and Themba Mkhize on their project called Soul ‘n Turf; performing with the UCT Big Band; and also performed with, and alongside some of South African jazz personalities - namely, saxophonist McCoy Mrubata, trumpeter Feya Faku and pianist Andile Yenana.

Lindiwe Maxolo co-founded Jo’burg’s finest jazz band Chilli&Lime. Internationally she’s graced many stages. Maxolo’s debut album TIME is a 13-track jazzy, soulful, and lyrical album. It incorporates acoustic sounds and at its core it infuses traditional jazz with influences of African jazz. It will be on sale on the night.

She will be joined by Thembinkosi Mavimbela (double bass), Sthe Bhengu( trumpet), Lungile Kunene (drums), Jacob Thomo (piano)

The performance will take place on April 2 at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music. Doors open at 17h30 and music starts at 18h00. Entry R40 (R20 pensioners and R15 students).

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music (CJPM) is at Level 2, Shepstone Building at UKZN Howard College Campus. For more information contact Jazz Centre Co-ordinator Thulile Zama on 031 260 3385 or email Zamat1@ukzn.ac.za

A HANDFUL OF KEYS

(Ian von Memerty & Roelof Colyn)

One of the most successful shows in the history of South African showbiz: A Handful of Keys with Ian von Memerty and Roelof Colyn, returns to Durban for a run over the Easter holidays at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre to celebrate 20 remarkable years

Ian von Memerty and Roelof Colyn have often paired up together in A Handful of Keys. Von Memerty is probably best known for being a judge on SA’s Got Talent. When not in Handful, Colyn is a band leader/ accompanist/ arranger/ composer/ musical director/ conductor in - and for - a myriad shows.

Featuring a firecracker script and two grand pianos played with unparalleled virtuosity, A Handful of Keys entertains with music and songs from Elton John, Richard Clayderman, Nora Jones, Alicia Keys, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Liberace through to Bach, Debussy, Chopin and many more! All the old favourites are still there – The History of the Broadway Musical (100 years in 16 minutes), the great SA Medley, and the Rock ‘n Roll finale. With new jokes and new costumes (they wore the old ones out!), A Handful of Keys is a sparkling as ever!

The journey of A Handful of Keys is remarkable: it has played to more than 400,000 people on five continents, in 1,250 shows, with five different cast combinations, and has garnered nine national awards after seasons across South Africa and beyond.

This hilarious two-man piano show conceived and starring Ian von Memerty and Bryan Schimmel, began in 1994. In 2001 it entered its second incarnation - again starring Ian von Memerty, but this time alongside Roelof Colyn, who enjoyed a massive success in the show. The show toured nationally, and to London and Australia (twice). Again the audiences and critics were ecstatic, and the audiences poured in, in ever increasing numbers. Another three years, another 300 performances and the show was seen by another 100,000 people.

Then in 2005 - the show took on its third shining shape. Starring, once again, Roelof Colyn and introducing Capetonian Jeremy Quickfall and touring to another 50,000 people and racked up its 750th performance.

In 2008, 21 year old Jonathan Roxmouth paired up with Roelof Colyn and created a magical partnership that reignited the show. Love letters from the press, and great box office were an accurate reflection of the level of synergy, musicality and sheer entertainment that these two achieved. The 2009 -2011 season was a pure triumph. All five cast members who have done the show in its 18 year history joined together on stage for what was an extraordinary night of theatre fire and magic. During 2011 - 2013 there were short tours around the county and trips to Dubai (twice), HIFA, London and New York.

A Handful of Keys runs from April 2 to 27 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre with shows from Tuesday to Saturday at 20h00 with extra performances on Saturday and Sunday at 15h00. Booking is through Computicket. For sold houses and block bookings contact Ailsa Windsor on 083 250 2690.

LIPS RENDEZVOUS

The Live Poets Society meets on the First Wednesday of each month. Poets and lovers of poetry are welcome to listen and to read and to share their works and to discuss poetry in all its varied forms and uniqueness.

At the next meeting on April 2, the Guest Poet for the month is Poppy Seed (aka Angela Harvey) whose last album Coming Through was complimented and endorsed by Sade the sultry singer of Smooth Operator fame; and Mutabaruka the outspoken Jamaican Dub Poet/activist. Poppy Seed rises somewhere in between and has been called the ‘Warm Revolutionary’. Her poetry tends to address women’s issues and social injustices, described as being ‘On the cusp of Poetry and Song.’

After relocating from London to Durban two years ago, Poppy Seed turned heads at Poetry Africa 2012 and subsequently as a guest of Concerts SA at UKZN School of Music with an engaging acoustic set.

Throughout her artistic career, Poppy Seed has contributed a lot of work in education not only as a lecturer in Literature, Media and Writing skills, but also as a performer offering workshops and master classes in schools, Prisons, Colleges and guest speaker at various Corporate and Arts Organisations.

She holds recent Awards for Best Performance Poet, and the Nina Simone for Black Women in Jazz from BWA (Black Women in the Arts UK). Her music is featured on sound tracks on the acclaimed Pan African Award winning films 500 Years Later and the recent Motherland both Cinematographic masterpiece documentaries directed by Durban based Owen Alik Shahada.

A playwright, songwriter and life coach, she is internationally acclaimed, making appearances in USA, UK, Europe Jamaica, Gambia, South Africa, over 25 years. Her book Poetry for Phases, Stages, & Pages is out on Amazon and select bookstores.

The LiPS Rendezvous on April 2 will take place at 17h30 for 18h00 at artSPACE Durban, 3 Millar Road, Durban (off Umgeni Road right next to Waste Centre). Admission is free. For more information contact LiPS Convener Danny Naicker on 083 282 0865 or email: dnaicker@metsond.co.za

For more information on Poppy Seed visit www.poppyseedmusic.com

SUPER MOKOENA

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's... HAIBO! The Actors Unemployed Company (AUC) presents an almost-new comedy at the Seabrooke's Theatre.

“Get ready for the flight of your life,” they say, “as you meet the Man of Steel in a way you never have before! Thrills, chills, spills and something else that rhymes with those first three! Laughter, hilarity, shadow puppets and bromance! A comic treat that is not to be missed!

Super Mokoena is the latest offering from The AUC, who have been responsible in the past for such shows as The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged), Guide to the Theatre, The Pied Piper and their award winning one man shows Birdman and The Erl King.

Super Mokoena brings together a creative team that will make you believe a man can fly. Clare Mortimer is the director with Bryan Hiles the designer. The play is written by Marc Kay who appears with Adam Dore and Mtho Zulu.

Don't miss out on this zany story of Superman in South Africa before it tours to the National Arts Festival! Up, up... And away!

Super Mokoena runs at Seabrooke’s Theatre at DHS from April 1 to 13 with performances from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 19h30 (Sundays at 15h00). Tickets R95 booked through Computicket or at the door