Feast of Arts Fest Shows to Play the Alexander Bar Upstairs Theatre in Cape Town

Cape Town's Alexander Bar, Café and Theatre will host a series of seven productions starting on 20 June, all of which are en route to the 2016 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Satire, stand-up comedy, drama, physical theatre, musical theatre, experimental theatre and cabaret all form a part of the diverse line-up, two of which can be seen each night in the Upstairs Theatre's traditional 19:00 and 21:00 slots nightly.

Mike van Graan's PAY BACK THE CURRY kicks things off with performances on 20 and 21 June at 19:00. A sketch-based satirical revue performed by the multi-talented Daniel Richards and directed by Rob van Vuuren, PAY BACK THE CURRY takes on a multitude of contemporary themes, from falls and fees, through statues and sparrows to Zuptas and Zombies.

A new version of Stuart Cairns and Westley Cockrell's THE PLOTHOLE, also directed by Rob van Vuuren, has already had a sold out house at a recent event at the Book Lounge this year. A stand-up comedy show that brings to life the trials and tribulations that comics face while pursuing careers in stand-up comedy, THE PLOTHOLE has performances on 20 and 21 June at 21:00 and on 22 June at 19:00

Mike Bartlett's drama c*ckreturns to the Alexander Bar following its run last year, in the 21:00 slot from 22 - 25 June. c*ckfollows the exploits of John, a man who is unhappy in his relationship and wants something more than his life with his boyfriend has become. Not knowing what he wants, the last thing he expects is to fall in love with a woman. This candid look at sexuality is directed by Paul Griffiths and stars Francis Chouler, Matt Newman, Melissa Haiden and James Skilton.

Physical theatre meets dance in Underground Dance Theatre's PULP. Beginning in a hazy dream, PULP plays like a silent movie where bodies hide secrets. Mysterious beauty, dark comedy and seat-shifting tension co-exist in a world that follows the peculiar logic of dreams. Choreographed and directed by Steven van Wyk, Kristina Johnstone and Thalia Laric, PULP takes the stage on 23 - 25 June at 19:00.

Only playing at the weekend of 25 - 26 June in an additional 17:00 slot is a new musical revue from Mixing Bowl Productions, PRIVATE PARTS. Directed by Keenan Tyler Oliphant, with musical supervision by Kurt Haupt, the show features songs by Sam Salmond, Michael R Jackson, Joel Waggoner, Will Aronson, Bill Richardson, Amiel Gladstone, Veda Hile, Lyons and Pakchar, Joe Iconis, Sara Nicholson and Emily Goldman.

ACTRESSES: AN ADAPTATION OF CHEKHOV'S "THE SEAGULL" is an experimental theatre piece directed by Rachel Shull and Raven Scott. Performed by Gabriel Meltz, Rachel Shull and Mathew Bazulka, the production deconstructs the classic text of THE SEAGULL to explore performance and the performance of gender. Watch the Black Hole Collective pick apart Anton Chekhov's creative constraints and reimagine his boundaries in an unpredictable, intimate and ruthless search of soul and self-worth on 28 and 29 June at 21:00.

Finally, DANI AND THE LION sees Daneel van der Walt and David Lubbe directed by Nicholas Spagnoletti in a revival of last year's hit cabaret piece. The Den is a cabaret bar at the end of the world that's closing down and resident act, Dani and Leo, are giving their final performance at this little dive they've called home. They face their uncertain future the only way they know how - with an armoury of gutsy, sad and blisteringly funny blues songs and stories. Catch them from 30 June - 2 July in the 19:00 slot.

Bookings for all seven shows can be made at the Alexander Bar's website, with tickets ranging in prince from R70 - R100 depending on the show and method of payment. For telephone bookings and enquiries, call 021 300 1652. Alexander Bar & Café is situated at 76 Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

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