#selfie

(Kajal Maharaj, Clinton Marius & Nesan Pather)

Popular celebrity couple, Kajal Maharaj and Nesan Pather return to the stage in #selfie, a hot new comedy by Clinton Marius.

Social media and celebrity culture are merrily lampooned in this brand new show to be presented at The Pavilion Hotel, Durban Beachfront tomorrow (April 1) 2017.

Devised and directed by multi award-winner, Clinton Marius (Lollipop Lane, B!*ch Stole My Doek, Sweetie Darling), the side-splitting satire stars the talented and funny husband and wife duo, Kajal Maharaj (Spice ‘n Stuff, Bad Girls, All Girl Comedy Jam, Marital Blitz, Popcom) and Nesan Pather (Marital Blitz, Popcom) as two hapless and narcissistic social climbers who are fiercely determined to extend their 15 minutes of fame. The pair share tips on how to increase and improve social media presence, and also poke fun at the online antics of the chronically vain.

‘We are throwing theatre etiquette out of the window for this production’, says Pather, ‘and encouraging audience members to use their cell phones during the show. We’ll be broadcasting live online, and sharing footage and audience commentary as it happens. And people can also follow the antics of this trio via the Facebook page, Selfie.’

While the couple are no strangers to teamwork on stage - having previously appeared together in Marital Blitz and Popcom - this will be the first time they both collaborate with Marius.

“Kajal played Sal, a chain-smoking nymphomaniac in my radio comedy, Lollipop Lane,” says the writer-director, “and the character became a favourite with listeners. I saw this same energy and comic skill on stage, when I directed her and High Rollers actress, Mayuri Naidu in the latter’s beautiful play, The Sepia Seamstress. I’m pleased to be working with Kajal again – and doubly-pleased that we have her witty and talented husband as part of the mix.”

Nesan Pather also has a footprint in the music industry under the alias 1818, with a string of radio and viral hits. Kajal Maharaj is remembered in her presenting role for Dharma Moments, SABC 2 and So Fab on Saffron TV.

‘This is a unique evening of entertainment’, adds Maharaj, ‘besides the merriment on stage, the interactive live component will allow viewers online to also be part of the fun.’

#selfie runs at The Pavilion Hotel, 15 KE Masinga on April 1 2017 at 20h00. Early booking is advised, through Webtickets www.webtickets.co.za. Follow the trio on Instagram @kajalmaharaj, @nesanpather and @clintonmarius

SUNSET SINGLES

Stuart Mey and Bruce Boome – calling themselves The Elderly Brothers - will present Sunset Singles every Monday at the German Club in Westville from April 3. The idea is based on the Monday nights Larry & The Lounge Lizards did at Sand Pebbles many years ago.

“After much thought and deliberation, we have started a "Singles Evening"......with a difference! The difference is. you Don't Have To Be Single! If you like music, or like dancing, this is for you!” explains Mey. “Our repertoire includes all the usual nostalgic favourites, Sinatra, Bublé, Sting, Dire Straits, etc....music you can relate (and dance) to.”

“We've done some research, and discovered that people miss the "Cocktail Hour" thing which was very popular at the pubs 'n clubs back in the 1960's and 1970's. People can come straight from work, meet old friends, or make some new ones. There is a cash bar, an A-La-Carte menu and Snack Baskets available.”

Sunset Singles take place from 18h00 until 21h00. Entry R50 and there is safe on-site parking. The German Club is situated in Barham Road in Westville. For more information contact Stuart Mey on email: scmey@yahoo.com

RISE FOR WINDSOR TENNIS CLUB

Every Monday - play tennis at the Windsor Tennis Club from 16h00 to 18h00, then grab a boerewors roll and a drink and listen to some great music from 18h00 to 21h00.

Coming up at the Windsor Tennis Club’s music evening this Monday (April 3) is Rise.

Rise is a Durban based alternative electronica band featuring Colin Peddie (DJ, drum pads, keyboard & vocals), Kerry Wood (lead singer) and Simon Hampton (guitars).

The programme for the rest of the month features:

April 10: Mim & John Erasmus

April 17: Richard Haslop, Mike Raftery & Will Wallace

April 24: Take 2 - Daniel Sheldon & Gerald Sloan

Entrance R50. The Windsor Tennis Club is situated at 53 James Henderson Crescent in Glenwood, Durban.  For more information contact Roland on 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.za.net

ACT PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: May 30 2017

The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) is calling on young people with the dream of pursuing performing arts studies to apply for an ACT Scholarship.

Matric learners and individuals under the age of 25, who are not currently registered for an undergraduate degree, are eligible to register online to do an audition. This year, there are three performing arts scholarships up for grabs worth R200,000 in total.

Funded by the Nedbank Arts Affinity and the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), and supported by The Market Theatre, the 2017 Scholarships Programme, strives to nurture young talent and provide tertiary education opportunities to young people with their sights set on pursuing performing arts training in 2018.

Aspirant young performers are invited to apply in one of the following categories; acting, dancing, singing, or musical theatre. Once registered, online, hopefuls will be required to perform two pieces of their choice, within their chosen category, at an audition. Musical theatre applicants are encouraged to perform pieces that showcase their competency as a triple threat performer (singer, dancer and actor).

Auditions will be held in all nine provinces between late June and mid July 2017. ACT CEO Pieter Jacobs says this will ensure everyone is given an equal opportunity. “Over the years we have seen that exceptional talent is not only the preserve of those with access to development opportunities, and undertaking a national road trip to find the best talent has proved well worth it,” says Jacobs.

Since 2009, The ACT Scholarship Programme has awarded 23 scholars and students with over R2,3 million worth of tertiary education funding, Jacobs says that this year they look forward to continuing this legacy.

“It is tremendously rewarding to see previous recipients make their way into productions across the country,” he says. “To mention a few, Tankiso Mamabolo just finished a run as part of the Baxter Theatre’s production of Marat Sade and Arlin Bantam is starring in Rent at Joburg Theatre. This is testament to the valuable investment of our partners.”

Registrations for the programme close on May 30, 2017. For more information about the programme, as well audition dates and venues, and to access the registration form, visit http://act.org.za/programmes/scholarships.html.

For more information about ACT, visit www.act.org.za or connect with them on Twitter or Facebook.

DURBAN INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL

Dates for the 12th Durban International Blues Festival have now been confirmed for September 2 to 9 and will take place for the second time at The Plant, Station Drive Precinct (Off Umgeni Road) in Durban.

For more information about the festival contact 082 747 9738.