The Joburg Theatre, South Africa Announces Their 2010 Shows

HOTEL CALIFORNIA - THE EAGLES EXPERIENCE

The Mandela, January 20th to January 31st

HOTEL CALIFORNIA - THE EAGLES EXPERIENCE focuses on The Eagle's HELL FREEZES OVER Tour of the early '90s, capturing an era when The Eagle's music undeniably transcended the boundaries of rock, R&B and country. Six highly respected, multi-talented musicians present HOTEL CALIFORNIA - THE EAGLES EXPERIENCE, a faithful recreation of The Eagles' timeless hits, in a show that salutes the talent and musicianship of the original members.

It is an exciting showcase of all the chart-toppers, such as Take it Easy, One of These Nights, Take it to the Limit, Heartache Tonight, Hotel California, Lyin' Eyes, Witchy Woman, New Kid In Town, Tequila Sunrise, Desperado, Best of My Love and Life in the Fast Lane, as well as more recent releases, Get Over It and Love Will Keep Us Alive.

If you enjoyed life in the fast lane in the '70s, or simply yearn for a night at the Hotel California, don't miss this amazing multi media show.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA - THE EAGLES EXPERIENCE is brought to South Africa by Showtime Australia.

CINEMA WOW - starring the Dahlings

The Fringe, February 3rd to February 21st

CINEMA WOW is a three-piece vocal tour de force featuring music from the 1930s to now. Including hits such as Life Could Be A Dream, Lemon Tree, ABC, Mas Que Nada and Chasing Cars, it is the Andrews Sisters' meets Beyonce meets cabaret, set against a backdrop of classical film.

The tunes are well-known and will keep audiences tapping their toes throughout the 80-minutes of non-stop fun!

THE TWELVE TENORS

The Mandela, February 16th to February 28th

Stunningly good looks...sensational voices as rich as Irish Cream...an evening so enjoyable you'll want to take all the boys home with you...

Now, for the first time in South Africa, let your hair down, sit back and heighten your senses of pleasure as you experience THE TWELVE TENORS.

Direct from Europe - and exclusively at Joburg Theatre - THE TWELVE TENORS will be entertaining audiences in February for a two-week season only.

Along with all the favourite tenor arias you would expect - the thrilling Nessun Dorma included, of course - this hugely talented group of twelve of Europe's finest singers performs some of the greatest music of the 20th Century, opera, pop, musicals, jazz and swing. There's even a selection of The Beatles!

With their wonderful harmonies, young, sexy looks and radiant smiles, the crowds go wild for THE TWELVE TENORS! Accompanied on stage by an eight-piece band, the repertoire in South Africa includes Danny Boy, You Raise me Up, Bring Him Home, Mack the Knife, That's Life, Twist and Shout, Hey Jude, and many more.

THE TWELVE TENORS is presented at Joburg Theatre in association with M-Net and Classic fm.

FUSION FLAMENCA

The Fringe, March 10th to March 14th

It's a sensual rhythm that entices your imagination, the click of a castanet, the whirl of a skirt, the guitar's soulful sound. It's Fusion Flamenca, and it's brought to you by El Rincon Flamenco.

The team that delighted and dazzled three years ago with the stunning production, Caminando, is back. This time, Mireille Lenferna and Joanne Bobrow have crafted a passionate ode to this magnificent dance form, blending elements of other dance styles including African gumboot dancing and contemporary dance to create an intriguing spectacle of movement.

As usual, the production blends dramatic visual imagery with a striking musical tradition, made all the more compelling by the introduction of African percussion. The combination of this, and other musical and dance genres, makes for an unforgettable showcase of the fire that is flamenco, drawing on the dance form's origins and influences in a vibrant show that will keep audiences spellbound.

THE REAL JOBURG THEATRE COMEDY FESTIVAL

The Mandela, March 4th

Joburg comedy fans are in for a treat in March, when The Real Joburg Theatre Comedy Festival takes to the stage. Brought to you by King Size Comedy Management, the line up has something special for everyone.

MC Chris Forrest will be joined by two of the country's funny men: Marc Lottering and Nik Rabinowitz. MARC LOTTERING hails from Cape Town, and is considered by many to be one of the hottest comics on offer from South Africa.
Awarded South African "Stand-up of the Year" for 2008/09, Nik Rabinowitz currently presents "The Week that Wasn't" for talk radio stations Cape Talk and 702, has just completed a sold out season of his fifth one-man show, "uNik", and cannot wait to be reunited with his Muslim and Christian brethren for the much-anticipated return of Three Wiser Men.
Be sure not to miss these two very funny Capetonians joined by the very popular and dead pan Chris Forrest.

BARRY HILTON - FRESH CATCH

The Mandela, March 5th

Funnyman Barry Hilton will reel audiences in, hook, line and sinker with his Fresh Catch show.
Fans are in for a real treat as he chums out his hilarious impressions and observations on social, political and family issues. Barry's new found passion of fishing and enjoying the great outdoors inspired the show's name and allows for his quick-witted "Throw me a line" segment.
Undoubtedly one of South Africa's favourite comedians, Barry will be at his hilarious best as he also googles our dependence on electronic paraphernalia in this 75-minute high definition comedy set.

DAVID KAU - I SHOULD'VE DONE THESE JOKES 1ST

The Mandela, March 6th

After a successful run around the country hosting the Blacks Only Comedy Shows, award winning comedian David Kau is back on the stage with his new one-man show I SHOULD HAVE DONE THESE JOKES FIRST. His first one man show I DID THESE JOKES FIRST two years ago sold over 20,000 tickets and David is back to delight his fans even further.

SWAN LAKE performed by The South African Ballet Theatre

The Mandela, March 12th to April 4th

The South African Ballet Theatre brings you the world's most well-known and best-loved ballet - Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, presented in the tradition of this grand Russian classic. This immortal tale tells of a princess helped captive as a swan by the spell of an evil magician - a spell that can only be broken if a prince swears true love to her.

Unforgettable: The Nat King Cole Story

The Fringe, March 23rd to April 11th

Following a highly successful run in the USA, Joburg Theatre is proud to announce the staging of Unforgettable: The Nat King Cole Story, starring Monroe Kent, at The Fringe from March 23rd.

Nat King Cole's music is timeless and he won the hearts of millions with the ease of his down-to-earth personality and the most recognizable American voice since Sinatra. The whole story is here ... his piano-playing days in low down dives and honky-tonks, his breakthrough contract with Capital Records, his fight against racism at the studio and in his own Hollywood neighbourhood. It's a story that South African audiences will identify with.

The songs are here too ... incredible hits like Mona Lisa, Route 66, Too Young, Paper Moon, and the classic Unforgettable ... Monroe Kent performs them all in the rich, warm style that is indelibly Nat "King" Cole.

Opera Africa's LA BOHÉME

The Mandela, April 11th to April 25th

Enjoy the stunning interpretation of Puccini's LA BOHÉME!

The creative forces behind Opera Africa's triumphant Aida and Opera Extravaganza return to bring the grandeur and the passion of Puccini's romantic epic!

Acclaimed director Themi Venturas teams up with renowned artist Andrew Verster as set designer, and lighting designer Michael Broderick; joined by the American star conductor Timothy Meyers making his South African debut with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra to present an unforgettable LA BOHÉME.

A stellar South African cast unites leading soprano Hanli Stapela as Mimi, tenor Stéfan Louw as Rodolfo, the revelation of Opera Africa's recent Opera Extravaganza and Aida, soprano Kelebogile Boikanyo as Musetta and Otto Maidi as Colline, Aubrey Lodewyk as Marcello, Thabang Senekal as Schaunard and star of the South African stage, Rouel Beukes in the double role Benoit and Alcindoro. The renowned Opera Africa Chorus and a children's chorus will be under the direction of Opera Africa Artistic Director, Hein de Villiers.

MILE HIGH with CATHY SPECIFIC

The Fringe, April 27th to May 29th

The hilarious MILE HIGH WITH CATHY SPECIFIC is about to get audiences into the party mood. The comic hit - which has been a sell-out wherever it has played, is coming to The Fringe.

Brendan van Rhyn is Cathy Specific, and he conceived her while jetting around the world as a flight attendant himself. Cathy is the crème de la crème of trolley dollies, a sassy, saucy stewardess who always gives you a choice "Chicken or beef? - take it or leave it!"

Audiences will recognize many classic songs tailored to suit MILE HIGH, such as Come Fly With Me, Singing In The Rain (turned into Singing On A Plane) and Strangers In The Night (turned into Strangers On A Flight.)

Cathy, in six inch heels, dominates with her powerful stage presence, but her alter ego, Brendan van Rhyn is magnetic and charismatic in his own way.

The show is written by Brendan Van Rhyn and award-winning director, Maralin Vanrenen, who also directs this production. It is produced by Warren Batchelor of InThaZone Entertainment. The set and lighting design is by Kosie House of Theatre.

STATE ST PETERSBURG MALE BALLET

The Mandela, April 28th to May 2nd

Edouard Miasnikov presents the State St Petersburg Male Ballet.

Valery Mikhailovsky, the famous St Petersburg ballet dancer, Honoured Artist of Russia and one of Russia's classic and modern dance symbols, founded a new original ballet group in 1992, the State St Petersburg Male Ballet. For the first time in the history of Russian ballet, the dance group was formed exclusively of male dancers.

The men train extensively to develop proper pointe technique, for which they've earned rave reviews from critics both in Russia and abroad.

The State St Petersburg Male Ballet adds to the history of Russian Ballet with its unique genre in the dance world. They have danced on the best stages in Russia as well as world-renowned theatres: New York Lincoln Centre, Tokyo, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Amsterdam, Seoul, etc.

This spectacular production is not to be missed!

THE BOYS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH

The Mandela, May 18th to July 11th

A gigantic theatre coup for South Africa - the most exciting musical in theatre history to use the game of soccer in telling its story.

THE BOYS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH is a re-worked production of the hit musical THE BEAUTIFUL GAME by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton, originally produced in London in 2000 by The Really Useful Group.

Early in the show, a photo is proudly taken of the happy members of a young, amateur soccer team on the verge of adulthood. We then follow the future of the boys in this photograph: young people wanting to love, to play soccer and lead normal lives in a city dominated by violence and hatred. The musical is set in Belfast, Ireland, between 1969 and 1972.

This powerful and passionate musical is also a joyous celebration of the freedom that love can bring. Audiences rise to their feet, cheering, screaming and tearful as the game of soccer is recreated on stage with some of the most originally exciting choreography ever seen in musical theatre.

THE BOYS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH is full of the heart searing ballads and stirring anthems of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (CATS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA) and the extraordinary wit and compassion of author Ben Elton (BLAST FROM THE PAST, THE THIN BLUE LINE, POPCORN, BLACKADDER).
THE BOYS IN THE PHOTOGRAPH is produced by Joburg Theatre in association with Real Theatre and presented by the City of Johannesburg as a Host City Parallel Event during the FIFA World Cup 2010.
The production's award-winning creative team will be headed by director Janice Honeyman, set designer Johan Engels, lighting designer Nicholas Michaletos and costume designer Birrie le Roux.

JOHNNY CLEGG - A SOUTH AFRICAN STORY

The Mandela, June 11th, 13th, 25th, 26th, 27th & July 2nd

With a career spanning three decades, Johnny Clegg, one of South Africa's most prolific musicians and performers is no stranger to the music industry. By combining African music structures with Celtic folk music and international rock sounds, Johnny pioneered a new and unique sound, establishing himself as South Africa's biggest musical export. From Europe to the States, from Australia to Potchefstroom, audiences in sold out venues have danced to "Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World", "Crocodile Love", "I Call Your Name", "Take My Heart Away", and "African Sky Blue".

Johnny Clegg is known for his live and energetic stage performances. The show, A SOUTH AFRICAN STORY, highlights Johnny's musical and cultural influences as well as the extraordinary events that have made him an international superstar! Audiences will be entertained and enlightened as Johnny tells his SOUTH AFRICAN STORY, using amusing anecdotes, historical bits and pieces, and anthropological facts - all culminating in a fascinating life story. The kind of story that legends are made of!

Now, in 2010, due to the unprecedented demand from the public, Johnny and his band return to the stage to once again bring you the updated SOUTH AFRICAN STORY! This is undoubtedly a show that makes you proud to be South African!

LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE

The Mandela, July 15th to August 8th

Joburg Theatre presents an exclusive four-week triumphant return of LE GRAND CIRQUE with its new edition LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE.

Featuring an international cast of 50 world champion acrobats and performers from over 15 countries - including China, Russia and Monte Carlo - this award winning spectacle will quite simply take your breath away. This thrill a minute production delivers incredible talent beyond your wildest imagination that will take you to The Edge of your seats - and back again!

LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE is perfect for all the family, with fun and happiness written all over it. The mesmerising show brings you beautiful costumes, dynamic lighting and some of the greatest international talent ever assembled on one stage. The music for the show has been selected from the world's most popular classical composers, and masterfully arranged with up-to-date rhythms to reflect the international appeal of the show.

This latest edition brings back the most popular of its original LE GRAND CIRQUE sequences and adds even more breathtaking spectacle with a feast of white-knuckle stunts and precision skill, producing so much mind-boggling electricity it could light up all of Joburg!

LE GRAND CIRQUE FANTAZIE is presented at Joburg Theatre in association with M-Net and

Classic fm.

CARMEN performed by The South African Ballet Theatre

The Mandela, August 13th to August 29th

The South African Ballet Theatre is proud to present Veronica Paeper's ballet Carmen, set to Georges Bizet's well-known score. Set in the city of Seville, Carmen captures the heat and passion of Spain with a full-evening story ballet highlighted by spectacular pas de deux and exciting mass corps de ballet scenes combining classical ballet and elements of traditional Spanish Dance.

THE CHILLI BOY

The Fringe, September 1st to October 3rd

After sell-out seasons in Joburg, Durban, Cape Town and London's West End, the hilarious South African play, THE CHILLI BOY, will be back at Joburg Theatre. Enjoying it's 8th Joburg season, THE CHILLI BOY is regarded as one of the most successful plays in South African Theatre history.

THE CHILLI BOY is the hysterical story of an old Indian woman reincarnated as a white gangster from Boksburg. At the age of 30, the gangster starts suffering flashbacks from his previous life as an Indian woman. He starts wearing a sari while cooking all sorts of delicious Indian meals including curries and briyanis. He no longer wants to fight or brawl as his newly discovered maternal instincts start determining his behaviour. His tough reputation is threatened by the resultant turmoil.

MONKEY NUTS

The Fringe, from October 6th

Acclaimed writer/director Geraldine Naidoo and multi-award winning actor Matthew Ribnick bring you their new show - MONKEY NUTS. The play tells the story of Edgar Chambers; an odd-bod obsessed with entering all sorts of competitions. Edgar, a bank teller by profession, also has the unusual knack of sniffing out free stuff and special offers. It is, however, his obsessive competition entering that sparks off the madcap story that has had audiences gasping for breathe. Don't miss the hysterical brilliance of this hour long comedy that will mesmerize and entertain you.

JOCK OF THE BUSHVELD - The Legend Lives On

The Mandela, from September 4th

Packed House Productions and Absa are proud to present this original musical that has been two years in the making. The classic and world-famous South African story is brought to life on the musical stage for the first time ever and features all the elements of a spectacular family musical. Adapted from the Sir Percy Fitzpatrick novel Jock of the Bushveld, this story is one of the classic animal stories loved by millions of children and adults world-wide and is a unique and timeless South African musical featuring the famous dog with the heart of a lion.

Janice Honeyman's ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES

The Mandela, from November 3rd

Janice Honeyman's 2010 panto, ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE CARIBBEAN PIRATES features an all-star cast, including the irrepressible Marc Lottering as Crusoe's mother, stunning South African beauty Tanya van Graan, heart-throb star of the stage and screen Carlo McFarlane and favourite ISIDINGO actress Kim Engelbrecht. With thrilling sword fights, hilarious comedy, a shipwreck, a sea monster, an abundance of comedy, flamboyant costumes and fabulous sets, this swashbuckling adventure is sure to be 2010's hottest ticket in town.

Call Computicket on 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com

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