(Above: Nateshwar Dance Company. Pic by
Val Adamson)
The Playhouse Company, an Agency of the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, presents Eastern Dance and Comedy Explosion, a vibrant dance production interspersed with comedy, that promises to light up the stage this December!
In curating this special addition to its Christmas Season line-up, the Playhouse has commissioned the Nateshwar Dance Academy, who joins forces with distinguished Kathak artist, Manesh Maharaj, to provide a wide range of dance entertainment.
Jailoshini Naidoo, celebrity icon of stage, screen, and radio, brings the funny to the production, linking the dazzling dance acts with her signature brand of sparkling wit. So be prepared for a feast of delectable Eastern entertainment this holiday season.
(Right: Jailoshini Naidoo. Pic by Val Adamson)
This fun-filled new Playhouse production is geared to appeal to eThekwini’s large and committed Indian audience. In putting it together, the Playhouse has tapped into the combined expertise of respected directorial dance expert, Smeetha Maharaj, working closely with international choreographers, Javed Sanadi, Karan Solanki, and Umesh Saini, all from Mumbai.
The latest popular Bollywood music has been used to create a festive vibe for the audience to enjoy. A selection of specially-choreographed items with a Christmas theme rounds off this colourful production, reflecting the glitz and glamour of the film industry.
Sharing the stage with the Nateshwar troupe, Kathak dance specialist Manesh Maharaj performs two exquisite solos. “The first piece, titled Ghazal, is an ode to the Taj Mahal”, he explains. “It describes the love between the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan and his Queen, Mumtaz, immortalized by the Taj Mahal in Agra, which he commissioned in her memory. The second piece, Tarana, a virtuoso highlight in the Kathak dance repertoire, comprises vibrant rhythms, nimble footwork, and breathtaking pirouettes”.
Jailoshini Naidoo, multi-award-winning stage, television, and comedic personality, brings the funny to Eastern Dance and Comedy Explosion! eThekwini audiences will recall her appearances at the Playhouse in Queens of Comedy; Jimbo; At the Edge; 1949; Chalo Cinema; The South African Collector; and Jungle Book. A star of the popular Kandasamy movies, Jailoshini is a principal performer in ETV’s Imbewu: The Seed, and a string of other titles, as well as hosting Lotus FM’s Weekend Recharge breakfast show.
Manesh Maharaj received his training from India’s finest Kathak pundits. He offers audiences a rare spiritual experience through his passion for the performing arts of India. He strives to enrich SA’s cultural life, sharing this influence and his unique style of Kathak on the international stage.
The Nateshwar Dance Academy has appeared in numerous collaborations with The Playhouse Company, including Sunghursh, Chalo Cinema Series, Dance Dhamaka, Naach Uteh Sansaar, Folk Dance Show, Schools Dance Education Programme – the most recent being Bollywood Song and Dance in November 2021.
Performances of Eastern Dance and Comedy Explosion are on December 22 at 18h30, and December 23 at 14h30. Booking is now open at Web Tickets.
NB: Playhouse patrons who park at the
Albany Parking Garage and the Royal Hotel qualify for a discount.
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