Faeron Wheeler - Page 5

The careful and clever direction by James Ngcobo, mixed with the finely tuned performances of Francois Jacobs and Mncedisi Shabangu, draws you completely into their world. The team strikes an excellent balance between the lighter, comic moments and the hard, cruel truth of the story.

On Wednesday evening, the Baxter Theatre Centre became a very glamorous spot. The Main Theatre now the Pam Golding Theatre, in honour of the late real estate giant and a generous sponsorship agreement. The evening was capped off by the opening performance of Marc Lottering’s latest stand-up show UNCLE MARC.

It’s a strong and important story told mostly through song – and some incredibly powerful voices – about how society sees women as just pretty faces.

Leading SA actress, singer and television personality André Hattingh has recorded a new song called GATHERING THE STARS, released on 28 March. The song is a tribute honouring the over 142 SA showbiz personalities who sadly passed away (COVID-19 and other reasons) in the past two years, during lockdown.

Fresh from his Best Supporting Actor win at the 57th FLEUR DU CAP THEATRE AWARDS on Sunday 27 March, Siya Mayola sat down to chat to us about winning, life through the pandemic and his future.

The BAXTER ZABALAZA THEATRE FESTIVAL is an incredible initiative and well worth supporting. You’ll get to see some exciting new work, and possibly even some future powerhouses in the South African theatre scene.

I was so excited when THE LAST FIVE YEARS was announced two years ago, and I was genuinely gutted for the entire production team when they had to postpone due to COVID. Some serious dedication went into keeping this dream alive and after getting to see opening night, I can safely say that it was worth the wait!

On Sunday 27 March - World Theatre Day - the 57th edition of the FLEUR DU CAP THEATRE AWARDS took place at Nederburg in Paarl. It was definitely a night to remember as Cape Town's theatre makers came out in force to celebrate after being locked down for two years.

Director Gina Shmukler, actress Natasha Sutherland and VR Theatrical have done an incredible job putting this production of SHIRLEY VALENTINE together.

KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN is an absolute treat for theatre lovers and the Baxter Theatre should be proud to present it.

The South African premiere of JM Coetzee's LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL K, adapted for the stage by Lara Foot in collaboration with the Handspring Puppet Company, is finally here. The story is haunting and the incredibly layered approach to telling it on stage is quite mesmerising and intriguing.

After putting the show on pause due to COVID in 2020, Tally Ho! Productions is finally bringing THE LAST FIVE YEARS to the stage. We sat down to chat with Zoë McLaughlin about the wait and how ready she is to get up on stage to play Cathy Hiatt next month at Theatre on the Bay.

This autobiographical look at his life is a truly inspiring piece of theatre and Bryan Schimmel is so brave and honest in it. All of it is delivered through a quirky, dead pan sense of humour that is great.

There’s nothing quite like the sound of children’s laughter rolling through a theatre as they watch a live show, and that’s exactly what WHAT DID THE FOX SAY? EPISODE ONE: THE FEAST OF THE KING OF BEASTS delivers. It’s a classic piece of children’s puppet theatre expertly delivered by Anoecha Kruger and Marelize Viljoen.

THE DIONYSISTERS: DIVAS THROUGH THE DECADES is a musical featuring the incredible voices of two powerhouse performers. Seriously, Thembelihle Benenengu and Megan Spencer have the kind of voices you sit up and take notice of.

In a time when live theatre is almost impossible to put on, many artists have turned to the online world. Jonathan Roxmouth, one of SA's leading lights in the musical theatre world, has taken the digital plunge and created SHOWSTOPPERS!

THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT is in equal measures chilling and heart-warming, made all the more poignant by the fact that it is a true story. The story is all about Eleanor Kasrils, a young woman who fought the apartheid system from the 1960s onwards. It is based on the book by the same name, written by the heroine’s husband and fellow freedom fighter, Ronnie Kasrils.

In such dark times for the theatre industry around the world, it truly felt like coming home when the Masque invited us to have some musical fun. A BOARDING LINE is full to bursting with great tunes from Broadway musicals. Everything about the production felt like a celebration – something we probably all need right now.

Since its inception in 2009, the Ndlovu Youth Choir has become one of the world's most treasured groups. Their unique musical arrangements, powerhouse vocals, irresistibly combined with mesmerising choreography and infectious energy have inspired millions across the globe. They are the first choir in the history of either America’s Got Talent or Britain’s Got Talent to reach the final. Their soul-stirring performances won hearts and minds around the world.

THIS MOMENT is a wonderful collection of songs from musicals, performed by some fantastic singers. It’s currently on at the Masque Theatre, Muizenberg, as a fundraiser for this icon of community theatre in Cape Town.