Encore Run for REMEMBERING THE LUX at the Baxter Theatre

With advance bookings already having been open for some time, this week will see the opening of the limited return season of Alistair Izobell's REMEMBERING THE LUX, following its sold out success during the festive season last year. Back by popular demand, this undisputed highlight of the festive season pays tribute to the iconic Luxurama Theatre, one of Cape Town's grand old dames of cinema and entertainment.

Written and directed by Izobell and the Baxter's chief executive officer and artistic director, Lara Foot, REMEMBERING THE LUX will once again bring to life and celebrate the history of the legendary Luxurama.

Through charming anecdotes and classic hit songs, the stellar cast will once again charm their way into the hearts of local audience, taking them on a nostalgic journey down memory lane, studded with familiar and perennially popular songs, such as "Where the Boys Are"," Il Mondo", "Spanish Eyes", "Puppy Love", "This is My Life" and "Delilah", that are sure to get audiences singing along and dancing in their seats.

The ensemble features Alistair Izobell, Loukmaan Adams, Nur Abrahams, Terry Hector, Giempie Vardien, Terry Fortune, Leslie Kleinsmith, Niesha Abrahams and Kashiefa Blaauw, accompanied by a six-piece live band, led by Donveno Prins. Prins (who plays the saxophone) leads Dylan Roman (on keyboards), Anthon Mannel (on drums), Angelo Syster (on guitar), Franco Mannel (on bass) and Marcell Adams (on trumpet). Most of the company performed at The Lux - as it was and is still today fondly referred to - at some point in their respective careers.

Many top International Artists such as Connie Francis, Dusty Springfield, Engelbert Humperdink, Tom Jones, Percy Sledge, Peaches and Herb, Petula Clark, Jose Feliciano, Dobie Gray, Joe Dolan, Lovelace Watkins and many others, performed at the Luxurama. Local stars Taliep Petersen, Zayn Adam, Jonathan Butler, Richard Jon Smith, Ricardo, Ronnie Joyce and Lionel Petersen are just a few of the music sensations who appeared on the boards. Well-known South African bands like The Rockets, The Bats, Rabbit and Ballyhoo were among the groups who battled it out on stage for the love of local audiences.

Since it was built in 1963 by Ronnie Quibell, The Luxurama Theatre in Wynberg became a vital cultural hub for many integrated audiences and it preceded the Three Arts Complex in Diepriver, which was also established by the Quibell Brothers. It was the first theatre complex to host mixed audiences during apartheid and in 1965 the South African government declared it a 'coloureds only' venue.

This is a first-time collaboration between Alistair Izobel and Lara Foot, both accomplished and respected artists in their respective genres. Izobell is one of South Africa's foremost artists, producer and musical directors, having started his career at age seven, and later went on to perform in David Kramer and Taliep Petersen's KAT AND THE KINGS, which earned him and the cast the Laurence Olivier Best Actor in a Musical award. He was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical He has become one of the leading music figures in the Western Cape, and in recent years he has wowed audiences with productions such as KAAPSE JOL, KAAPSE MUSIEK IN COLOUR 2, KAAPSE STOEP STORIES and JUST ME - NET SO.

Foot is a respected writer and director whose focus is on the development of South African work. She enjoyed unprecedented success recently with her sell-out production THE INCONVENIENCE OF WINGS at the Baxter, the production that she premiered at the National Arts Festival this year as the Festival's Featured Artist of 2016. Foot has received numerous awards and accolades for her work which include TSHEPANG, KAROO MOOSE, SOLOMON AND MARION, SCROOGE and FISHERS OF HOPE (TAWARET).

The Baxter Theatre Centre has launched a special Facebook page called "The Lux" and members of the public are encouraged to join and share their own memories, pictures and stories about this once statuesque and vibrant entertainment centre. Izobell comments:

I am personally so excited to be honouring The Luxurama Theatre, which was home to so many of this city's audiences during its heyday. Almost the entire cast in this production have performed on that stage and for all of us, to be able to bring back those memories, I regard as a blessing. Teaming up with Lara, who had tremendous success with her production of SCROOGE at the Baxter two years ago, is another highlight of my career so far. We would like to invite local audiences to join us in this festive season celebration as we pay tribute to the Lux and urge them to share their memories and stories with us on this specially-created Facebook page.

REMEMBERING THE LUX runs on Mondays through Saturdays from 25 August to 17 September, with bookings through Computicket, on 0861 915 8000 or at any Shoprite Checkers outlet. Tickets cost R140 - R160. For discounted corporate or group block bookings, fundraisers or charities contact Sharon Ward on 021 680 3962 or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993.

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