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KBT Productions Presents 3 Premieres, 5 New Shows & More at NAF, Begin. Today

By: Jun. 27, 2013
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KBT Productions will present three world premières, five new South African productions and nine projects at the National Arts Festival this year.

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The company premières Jervis Pennington's a cappella musical, A TOWN CALLED FOKOL LUTHO directed by multiple award-winning Tara Notcutt; DRIVE WITH ME, a new play from writer, director and performer, Megan Furniss, directed by vocal guru and drama lecturer Liz Mills; and a new adaptation of Paul Gallico's classic novella, THE SNOW GOOSE, devised by the stellar team of James Cairns, Taryn Bennett and Jenine Collocott.

In addition, it is staging a new South African production of Bernard Slade's Broadway hit, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR and Megan Furniss's new show SONG AND DANCE, directed by Ntombi Makhutshi, of LONDON ROAD fame. Both of these shows opened recently at Kalk Bay Theatre to great acclaim.

"It is a truly South African year," says Simon Cooper, producer at KBT Productions. "We are honoured and humbled to work with such outstanding talent to create these new productions. SAME TIME NEXT YEAR and THE SNOW GOOSE are projects which have been close to my and Helen's hearts for many years. With rehearsals in full swing for the other three, which are newer in origin, excitement levels are at equal proportions!"

DRIVE WITH ME is the story of Marion Taylor who is on her way to present her "Symbols in Journeys" talk at the National Arts Festival's Think!fest, but her own journey to Grahamstown threatens to disrupt the event. An intriguing, unexpected journey, DRIVE WITH ME is a gripping new South African play, and is theatre at its unsettling best. This sees a return of seasoned theatre creator Megan to the stage, under the sharp direction of the revered Liz Mills.

A TOWN CALLED FOKOL LUTHO brings five men and five heavenly, harmonized voices, to a small Karoo town where nothing ever happens and no-one is good at anything except singing and not falling in love. Or is there more? Come dig a little and you'll find the story of the first heart transplant, the scrum-half standing pass and love-so-amazing in a pitcher of cactus juice in this new musical comedy. Written and composed by Jervis Pennington, who is famous as the lead singer in pop group The Soft Shoes, and whose musical, SCRIBBLE, toured South Africa and to New York, and won two Naledi awards; the show is directed by Tara Notcutt (THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, MAFEKING ROAD), and the stellar cast features Pennington with Carlo Daniels (KAT AND THE KINGS), Moenier Adams (AFRIKAAPS, REMEMBER THE TIME, LET'S MIX IT), Waasief Piekaan (WRONGLY ACCUSED, VOCAL IS LEKKER) and Jack the Bass aka Nkosekhaya Mgoqi (IMBUBE SINGERS). Musical direction is by Paul Morrissey and design by Juanita Ferreira.

This adaptation of Paul Gallico's perennial favourite THE SNOW GOOSE, has been brought to life by the dream creative team of actors James Cairns (THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, SIE WEISS ALLES, DIRT) and Taryn Bennett (SIE WEISS ALLES, KAPUT, FROGS) under the direction of Jenine Collocott (SNDAY MORNING, DIRT, HIGH DIVING). On the desolate Essex marshes and against the background of the miracle of Dunkirk, a wounded, storm tossed snow goose brings a young girl, Fritha, and the recluse Philip Rhayader together in a moving story about love and courage.

The new production of Bernard Slade's Tony-award-winning play, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, features BINNELAND and musical theatre star, Paul Du Toit, and Julie Hartley (NOISES OFF, LIPSTICK DIPSTIEK), under the direction of Christopher Weare, who last year was awarded a Fleur du Cap Lifetime Achievement Award. The production has received rave reviews across the board and is a classic love story with a twist. George and Doris fall in love, have an affair but, because they are married to other people, agree to meet at the same hotel, same time, every year, and over twenty four years, realise they are the love of each others' lives. It is touching, hilarious, witty, compassionate and nostalgic.

SONG AND DANCE is a new South African comedy written by Megan Furniss, directed by Ntombi Makhutshi and featuring rising performers Anele Situlweni, Deon Nebulane and Zondwa Njokweni. Described by the Cape Times as 'laugh a minute', it tells the story of two burglars who break into the wrong stylish apartment and things go from unexpected to dangerous faster than a bad audition. Dark, delinquent and deliciously funny.

KBT Productions was established in 2009 to present productions outside of Kalk Bay Theatre, which Simon and Helen Cooper own. The company has produced Rob van Vuuren (ROB VAN VUUREN IS ROB VAN VUUREN and STRICTLY ROB AND MARY): a run of JUTRO at the Baxter; KAPUT and SIE WEISS ALLES, which won a Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival 2011; as well as the multiple award-winning LONDON ROAD, which was the top grossing theatre production on the Fringe at the National Arts Festival for three years.

KBT Productions are also presenting Godfrey Johnson in three shows: THE SHADOW OF BREL, FLIRTING WITH COWARD and MINNIE AND JOHNSON with SAMA nominee, Emile Minnie; as well as Helen Brent Cooper's first solo exhibition, THE RED SHOE DIARIES.

DRIVE WITH ME runs at the NG Kerk Hall today, 27 June at 14h30; 29 June at 13h00; 30 June at 14h00; 1 July at 10h00; 2 July at 14h00; 3 July at 14h00; 4 July at 14h00; 5 July at 14h00; 6 July at 14h00; 7 July at 12h00. Tickets range from R60 - R70 with the first performance free - donations welcome - and the performance on 7 July at half price.

A TOWN CALLED FOKOL-LUTHO runs at the NG Kerk Hall on 27 June at 16h30; 28 June at 16h00; 29 June at 17h00; 1-3 and 5-6 July at 16h00; and 7 July at 14h00. Tickets range from R60 - R70 with the first performance free - donations welcome - and the performance on 7 July at half price.

THE SNOW GOOSE performs at the Drill Hall from 27 June - 6 July daily at 20h00. Tickets range from R60 - R70 with the first performance free - donations welcome.

SAME TIME NEXT YEAR will run at the NG Kerk Hall on 27, 28 and 30 June at 20h30; 2 - 6 July at 20h30; and 7 July at 16h00. Tickets range from R60 - R70 with the first performance free - donations welcome - and the performance on 7 July at half price.

SONG AND DANCE performs at the NG Kerk Hall on 27 June at 12h30; 29 June at 11h00; 30 June at 16h00; 1 July at 12h00; 3 - 6 July at 12h00 and 7 July at 10h00. Tickets range from R65 - R75 with the first performance free - donations welcome.

Bookings for all shows can be made at Computicket.



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