THE RANGA AT THE BARNYARD

(Aaron McIlroy)

Acclaimed local comedian, Aaron McIlroy, will present his latest stage escapade, The Ranga, at The Barnyard Theatre at Gateway on August 3.

The Ranga is a new one-man comedy written and performed by madcap McIlroy. This musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at prejudice as seen through the eyes of a man tormented with pigmentation issues.

The word ‘Ranga’ is derived from ‘Orangutang’ (red-haired monkeys) and is a term used to describe people with varying shades of red hair, from strawberry blonde to auburn. 

In The Ranga, McIlroy (in his inimitably whacky style) takes the scalpel to the pre-conceived ideas around ‘ranga-ism’ - highlighting how this recessive gene is the primary cause of most the world’s woes!  Inspired by the Australian sitcom, Summer Heights High, and the YouTube sensation Rage Of The Redhead, McIlroy descends into the gritty underbelly of ginger prejudice with hilarious results.

Vintage McIlroy material flows forth copiously in The Ranga in which Durban’s multi-award-winning comic appears alongside well-known Durban muso, Andy Turrell, on musical accompaniment. Hit songs to be heard in the show include, among others, covers of Duelling Banjos (Deliverance), Hey Brother (Avicii), Money’s Too Tight To Mention (Simply Red) and Moves Like Jagger (Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera).

The Ranga takes place on August 3 at The Barnyard Theatre. The doors will open at 18h30, with the show starting at 20h00. Tickets R130 booked through The Barnyard Theatre on 031 566 3045, e-mail gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit www.barnyardtheatres.co.za for more information

THE WAY WE WERE!

(Cat Simoni)

Cat Simoni does Barbra Streisand – her way! Written and directed by Paul Spence, The Way We Were runs at Rhumbelow Theatre from August 7 to 9.

Having spent 10 years entertaining in five-star venues and exclusive clubs in London, Cat Simoni returned home and now has a busy schedule appearing at venues around South Africa.

Her theatre/cabaret shows include Cat Sings Judy!, Over the Rainbow with Cat & Judy Garland, Cat Sings Ella!, The Story of Ella Fitzgerald, Francoise Hardy, C'est Si Bon! And In Love Again!The best of Noel Coward and Gertrude Lawrence.

Her pop repertoire includes the mega hits Stairway to Heaven. The Wall, Whiter Shade of Pale and Bohemian Rhapsody from the legendary Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Procul Harem and Queen.

Simoni comes to the Rhumbelow for National Women's Day hot off her debut at the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown with her Barbra Streisand and Ella Fitzgerald shows, at the Albany Cabaret Club.

The Way We Were tells the highly entertaining story of the young Barbra in Brooklyn and the chutzpa that took her through adversity to stardom on Broadway. The show features music of some of the world's greatest songwriters, Gershwin, Kern, Porter, Sondheim, Bernstein, Rogers & Hart and Lerner & Lowe.

Director Paul Spence originally trained at the University of Natal (now UKZN). He went on to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for seven years and has worked in theatres from London to Copenhagen, Vienna to Tokyo. 

Performances of The Way We Were take place on August 7 and 8 at 20h00 and on August 9 at 14h00 and 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner. Tickets R120 (R100 pensioners). Bring food picnic baskets and braais will be available for those who wish to cook some meat. A cash bar is available (no alcohol may not be brought on to the premises). There is limited secure parking.

Booking is essential through Computicket or contact Roland on 082 499 8636 or email: roland@stansell.za.net or visit events.durbantheatre.com

WOODSTOCK AT WESTVILLE

(Marion Loudon, Mali Sewell, Barry Thomson, Dawn Selby & Jason Andrew)

Head for the Westville on Sunday and take a step back in musical history when the Westville Country Club in association with Rhumbelow Theatre present The Reals & Marion Loudon in Woodstock.

Last year celebrated the 45th anniversary of Woodstock - the 'three Days of peace & music' celebration - where 32 acts performed to an audience of 400,000 young people. It took place from August 15 to 18, 1969, on Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the New York town of Bethel.

Creedence Clearwater Revival was the first act to sign a contract and this persuaded other big acts to follow suit. The 'Rolling Stone' magazine listed Woodstock as one of the '50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll'.

Celebrate the music of Woodstock with The Reals, featuring the talents of Barry Thomson (guitar/vocals), Dawn Selby (keyboards / vocals), Mali Sewell (drums / vocals), Jason Andrew bass guitar / vocals). Vivacious  Marion Loudon (vocals / percussion) will join The Reals for this production.

Dress up in 'Woodstock' style and stand a chance of winning the Best Dressed prize.

Performances take place in the Westville Old Boys Hall, Westville Country Club, 1 Link Road, Westville, on Sunday (August 2) at 14h30 and 19h00 The venue opens 90 minutes before show for meal. Tickets R120 (R100 WCC Members and pensioners) - cash, Computicket or EFT only

There is an option of a buffet dinner and the show – tickets R220 (R200 WCC Members and Pensioners)

No alcohol or food may be brought on to the premises. There is a full bar and secure parking available. Booking is essential at Computicket or contact Roland on 082 499 8636 or e-mail: roland@stansell.za.net or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com

THE ILLUSIONIST!

The director who produced The Ring which ran at the Westville Civic Centre last year (2014) gathers her team once more to present The Illusionist!. Aerial acts, illusions, dancing, singing and a few more surprises, are the order of the day to relate the tale of Dimitri and Misty in this unlikely love story set in the Great Illusionist’s Theatre.

If you enjoyed The Ring, you’ll love The Illusionist!

The show will run from August 4 to 15 at Pinetown Girls’ High School, with 10 evening performances at 20h00, a matinée on August 8 at 14h30 and an afternoon performance on August 9 at 16h00 with doors opening an hour before curtain up.

Bring your own picnic baskets and alcohol. Cool drinks, wine, malt, popcorn and candy floss will be on sale at the venue. Tickets R95.

Gala/Corporate evenings are available. For bookings and general enquiries, contact Sharon on 082 997 0709 or shows@spotlightproductions.co.za

PIETERMARITZBURG JAZZ FESTIVAL

(Jimmy Dludlu)

Golden Horse Casino, Hotel and Entertainment will host the 2nd Annual Pietermaritzburg Jazz Festival tomorrow (August 1); bringing with it an exciting and distinctive taste of African jazz to music lovers in the area.

The upcoming event is a prestigious live music concert on par with its jazz festival counterparts in Durban and Cape Town. Jazz connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice this year with an amazing line up of jazz legends and popular South African A-list artists.

Golden Horse’s 2015 Artist programme includes Freshly Ground; Jimmy Dludlu; Judith Sephuma; Zakes Bantwini and Vincent Bones of Idols fame. Also appearing will be popular Maskandi artist Thokozani Langa, Joel Zuma and Prime Circle.

“This is an amazing line-up featuring the finest local entertainment and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase such talent. We are anticipating large numbers so bookings are essential,” says Maureen Kivits, Golden Horse Director of Operations and Complex General Manager.

Tickets R200 (R250 at the gate) available from Computicket at VIP tickets are available at R1,000 (contact organiser Golden Horse).

The festival takes place in Pietermaritzburg at the Golden Horse Infield from 10h00 until midnight. For more information contact Golden Horse Customer Service Desk 033-395 8126 or www.goldenhorse.co.za

NB: No alcohol will be allowed in the venue.