(Right: Adi
Paxton)
Adi Paxton shows with this production why
she has become such an enduring and endearing favourite over the years. (Review
by Keith Millar)
If you are looking for something to keep
the kids entertained during the holidays you couldn’t do better than to take
them to Durban’s Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo to take in one of the children’s
theatre productions which are on offer over the next three weeks.
Starting off the proceedings is the
enjoyable African Fables, a delightful
display of story-telling by well-known children’s entertainer Adi Paxton.
Adi Paxton, who is probably best known as
Cherry the Clown, has been presenting her one-woman shows for children for over
30 years. She confirms with this production why she has become such an enduring
and endearing favourite over the years.
She tells three stories, The Tortoise and the Birds, The Monster
Gongongo and the Tortoise and iFudu and the iJuba, the Dove. All three
feature the tortoise as its central character. The first two are based on Swazi
traditional tales and the third is Zulu.
With plenty of audience participation,
sing-a-longs quirky puppets, funny hats and a touch of magic Paxton keeps the
youngsters enthralled and thoroughly entertained.
Appearing along with the tortoise is a
menagerie of fun characters including a monster, a giant fish, a lion and a
variety of different birds. As is expected from children’s stories, there is
also a bit of a moral if an educational aspect is required.
Landon, my seven year old co-reviewer,
commented that the best parts were when he helped on stage - and his three year
old brother Max, seeing his first-ever stage production, said “I wanna see dat
show again”.
After the show Paxton entertains the
children by making balloon animals and, depending on demand, there is also a
colouring in competition.
African
Fables runs until Saturday June 22 at 11h00. The
show’s running time is approximately 55 minutes. Snacks and juices will be on
sale.
Tickets R75 booked at Computicket or contact
Roland on 082 499 8636 or email roland@stansell.co.za. www.events.durbantheatre.com
The Durban Rhumbelow Theatre, which has
become something of the home for children’s theatre in recent years, is in
Cunningham Road, off Bartle Road in Umbilo. – Keith Millar
From
June 24 to 29 it will be the turn of Shika Budhoo with her “Miss Marshmallow’s
Rainbow Surprise” and then Adi Paxton as Cherry the Clown will be joined by
Heather Barclay-Whiffin as Dilly to present “Double Trouble – A Clown Adventure”
from July 1 to 6.
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