Aweh! Find out what’s happening in Durbs

A FANTASY show, a ground-breaking musical, whale watching and entertainment galore – Easter weekend may be over, but the fun hasn’t stopped.

Shows/entertainment

Ground-breaking musical Company comes to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre this April

KickstArt presents the South African premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Company at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from April 9 to 21.

Durban’s leading theatre production company, KickstArt Theatre, will be staging the ground-breaking musical. Never having been presented professionally in South Africa before, this witty, wise and worldly musical comedy, which explores the quirks and contradictions of modern love, will be directed by Steven Stead and designed by Greg King, with musical direction by Roland Perold, choreography by Simone Mann, sound design by Stephanie Pais and lighting by Tina le Roux.

Rebecca Ballenger describes Company on the StageAgent.com site: “On the night of his 39th birthday, Robert struggles to think of a wish to make as he blows out his birthday candles. The lone bachelor, surrounded by ‘those good and crazy people’ – his married friends – is uncertain whether he should simply be happy with his lot or whether he should wish for his own romantic partner. Over a series of dinner parties, first dates and thoughtful conversations, Robert attempts to understand the pros and cons of marriage from his diverse and frequently hilarious friends and begins to make sense of his own persistent bachelorhood. Company is a mature, intelligent and wildly funny look at relationships, vulnerability and ‘being alive’.”

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If you loved this team’s productions of two other Sondheim masterpieces, Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods, you cannot miss out on this funny, classy, very accessible musical. Apart from the unforgettable hit song, Being Alive, the score features many memorable numbers, including the iconic Ladies Who Lunch, and Marry Me a Little, I’m Not Getting Married Today, Barcelona, Side by Side, You Could Drive a Person Crazy, and Another Hundred People.

The top-notch cast stars Bryan Hiles as the 39-year-old bachelor, Robert, who gets a great deal of relationship advice from his circle of married friends, which often conflicts with what he observes in their behaviour.

Multi-award-winning actress Charon Williams-Ros, who will be remembered as a brilliant Mrs Lovett in KickstArt’s Sweeney Todd, as well as Mama Morton in Chicago and Frau Schneider in Cabaret, is returning from the UK for this production as the abrasive and cynical Joanne. And much-loved actress Jessica Sole (star of Camelot, Shrek, Into the Woods, Chicago) similarly returns from London to play the neurotic and marriage-averse Amy.

Others in the strong cast include Lyle Buxton, Peter Court, Anthony Downing, Roland Perold, Lisa Bobbert, Liesl Coppen, Anne-Marie Clulow and Yamikani Mahaka-Phiri. Robert’s three love interests are played by the glamorous trio of Roshanda Lewis, Keryn Scott and Leah Mari, who has recently been getting rave reviews and standing ovations as Maria in The Sound of Music in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Performances are scheduled for 19:00 on Tuesday to Saturday, 14:30 on Saturday and 16:00 on Sunday. Book for all KickstArt’s 2024 shows at WebTickets. Visit www.kickstarttheatre.co.za for more details and to make bookings.

Fun fantasy interactive show at and by Maris Stella School

Join Maris Stella on a magical journey in their show, The Witch’s Princess, and join Princess Alesandra and her unconventional crew as they unravel the secrets of Artemisia. Brace yourself for a wild quest with laughter, twists and mythical creatures inspired by literary icons. Don’t miss this fantastical adventure of courage and camaraderie.

This is family-friendly fun with fantastical elements. It is recommended for ages 10 and up, but younger guests are welcome with parental guidance. Brace yourself for action sequences and a touch of mischief.

Be aware that there will be flashing lights and thrilling sound effects during the performance. Please note this for any epileptic-sensitive viewers.

There will be a tuckshop to buy from before the show and during intermission. Cash and Zapper payments are accepted.

Times: The doors open at 18:00, and the show starts at 18:30. The approximate run time is 110 minutes (including the interval).
Cost: Reserved theatre seating is R90pp and unreserved gallery seating is R70pp.
Venue: 558 Stephen Dlamini Road (Essenwood Road), Berea.

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Enjoy the music of a newly established string quartet called Quartetto Aurora

Quartetto Aurora is a new string quartet recently founded by members of the KZNPO. Their debut performance will be on Sunday, April 7, at 14:30 for Friends of Music at the Durban Jewish Centre at KE Masinga Road.

On the violins will be Evgeny Zadhanov and Vanja Radlovacki. On the viola will be Annamaria D’Andrea and on the cello, Ayanda Makulwana.

The quartet will play beautiful music from the father of the string quartet, Joseph Haydn:
Quartet in B Flat Major Op 76 No 4: Sunrise
Quartet in D Major OP 64 no 5: The Skylark
Quartet in D Major Op 46: The Frog

Tickets will be available at the door at R100 for members and R120 for non-members.

For more information, contact Keith at 071 505 1021 or millark.millar@gmail.com.

Experience nostalgia with Leonard, James and Joni at Northlands Bowling Club

The Rhumbelow Theatre presents Leonard, James and Joni on Saturday, April 6, at 19:30.

Leonard, James and Joni is a deep dive into the lives and music of Leonard Cohen, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, produced and performed by Dave Starke and Lizzie Gaisford and featuring big hits like Suzanne, Halleluja, Fire and Rain, Carolina in My Mind and Both Sides Now interspersed with stories about the artists.

Dave and Lizzie are singer-songwriters from Eshowe, Zululand. Their ‘day job’ is as bandmates in the classic rock tribute band, The Katembas, but they are looking forward to sharing some of their favourite artists’ songs with a Rhumbelow audience.

Throughout her teens, Lizzie was given an annual marathon guitar lesson by her aunt, instrumentalist Jane Gaisford. The rest of the time was spent filling in the gaps by herself, resulting in a unique playing style hinged largely on alternate tunings, which makes her very well placed to interpret and perform the great works of Joni Mitchell.

Dave is known for his rich voice and mellow guitar playing. Committed to musical austerity, he prefers simple arrangements that allow the words to take centre stage. He is a past master at performing ‘Cohen’ classics. His previous show, Cohen, a Tribute, toured extensively across South Africa, including two years at the National Arts Festival Fringe.

Tickets are R200 each and R180 for members of Northlands Bowling Club.
Bring food picnic baskets. (Venue opens 90 minutes before show for snacks/drinks.) There is limited parking available and booking is essential. There is a full bar available.
Venue: Northlands Bowling Club, 50 Margaret Mayton Ave, Durban North
For more info or bookings, email Roland Stansell at roland@stansell.co.za or contact at 082 499 8636. Also book through Computicket.

Please note that a ‘Musical Journey Through Time and Culture’ with Season’s Echoes 2 has been cancelled. Therefore, the ticket giveaway is closed!

Outdoor Activities

Senior citizens’ sunrise walk on Umhlanga Promenade

Watch the beautiful east coast sunrise and join Durban Hiking and Adventures on this easy beach, promenade and forest stroll in the heart of Umhlanga.

They will visit the famous Whale Bone Pier, the Umhlanga Lighthouse, the Umhlanga Lagoon (boardwalk and the lower part of the Hawaan Forest) and, of course, the one and only Forest Cafe.

Time: 05:15 for 05:30
Meet: Durban View main carpark
Distance: approximately 6km
Duration: 3 hours
Bookings strictly on Quicket.

What to bring: walking shoes, snacks, water or cold drinks, plus a backpack to carry all that, and cash for coffee/breakfast at Forest Coffee.

Kids and well-behaved pooches are welcome! Please note that dogs are allowed on the promenade (on leashes) but not in the nature reserve!

This event is exclusive and tickets are limited!

Hike to the Whaling Station and to South Pier

This is a bucket-list hike – there is so much history to see! You will see the whaling station, the whale-watching deck, the gun towers, the old railway tracks, the harbour mouth and more.

Meet at Anstey’s main car park on Thursday, April 7.

If you choose to only go up to the whaling station, the hike will be 8km which is a 3-hour hike. If you go to the South Pier, it will be 17km which is a 5-hour hike. This is a Grade 3 hike for casual hikers – it’s challenging as you walk far and on sand. There is also an optional climb to the whale-watching deck of 340 steps.

Cost is R169pp and kids under 13 are R99. Tickets are limited! Booking strictly on Quicket at: https://qkt.io/f72ZAf

Well-behaved pooches are welcome on this hike! Please note that 20 confirmed and paid bookings are needed to go ahead with this event. If quota is not met, the event will be cancelled and a refund will be processed. Payment is non-refundable if you are a no-show. If the weather is bad, the event will be rescheduled and a new date will be given.

For more information, contact Roland Smith at 066 111 1488.

Run Collective’s Trail Run in Botha’s Hill

Starting and finishing at Run Collective/Talloula Cafe, this event promises a thrilling challenge as you descend into and climb back out of the Valley of 1000 Hills. With diverse terrain, including dirt roads, dual tracks and single tracks, cutting through lush valley bushveld, every step will be an exhilarating journey. Whether you’re tackling the 6km or 11km route, walkers are welcome to join in on the fun. And remember, the rewards await at Talloula Cafe for some well-deserved indulgence after conquering those trails!

Time: Sunday, April 7, at three start times of 06:00 (18km), 06:30 (11km) and 07:00 (6km).
Start and finish: Run Collective, 61 Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill (same property as Talloula)
Cost: R230, R195 and R135 respectively. U18s pay half-price and pensioners get a 25% discount. Walkers welcome on the short and medium courses.

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