Darren Maule to shine in Aladdin Grey Street

COMEDIAN, radio personality and MC, Darren Maule, has joined the cast as the Genie of the Lamp in this year’s end-of-year adult pantomime, Aladdin Grey Street, which runs from 10 November to 30 December at the Centenary Room, Greyville Racecourse.

No stranger to the stage, Maule trained as a professional actor and appeared in a host of productions in Gauteng. However, this is the first time Durban audiences will get a chance to see him on stage.

Known for his witty banter on radio, he is also a well-known stand-up comedian and will be putting this combined skill-set to good use in the delivery of some fabulous double-edged one-liners from the adult panto script.

“It’s more Serena Williams than Tennessee Williams and more Shakes Mashaba that Shakespeare. And I really hope the Broadcasting Complaints Commission doesn’t follow me to the pantomime,” joked Maule.

Joining Maule on stage will be perennial panto regular, Anthony Stonier, who plays Widow Twanky, TQ Zondi (as Aladdin), Rowan Bartlett (as Princess Jasmine), Mpilo ‘Straw’ Nzimande (as Genie of the Ring), Katy Moore (as Evil Sultana), and Clinton Small (as Watch-Mi-Wanky).

Written and directed by Darren King, Aladdin Grey Street promises to be a bumper offering of good old fashioned belly laughs and a liberal dose of saucy, naughty gags.

Adult panto producer, Sue Clarence, enthused, “This is our 17th year of staging a fun year-end adult panto, and it is with great delight that Darren will be joining us with the nonsense and mischief that happens on stage. His personality is absolutely perfect for this genre and we look forward to him charming Durban.”

Take Aladdin, a street urchin, and move his story to Durban. Take his poor long-suffering mother, the Widow Twanky, and put her laundry in Grey Street. Add one Evil Sultana, one lonely Princess, a Genie with ‘sangoma’ powers and a laundry assistant called Watch-Mi-Wanky, and you have a local production brimming with fun, nonsense and topical jokes.

There is a wide selection of dining options and corporate packages available – all food by Eat Greek. No self-catering will be allowed, but dining is not compulsory. There is a full bar service (no drinks can be brought onto the premises). Tickets range from R130 to R170.

The show starts Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7.30pm and Saturdays at 2pm; doors open 90 minutes earlier for dining.

Contact Ailsa on 083 250 2690 or editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com for party and charity bookings or book through Computicket.

WIN:

One lucky Highway Mail reader will win a table for eight to Aladdin Grey Street for Saturday, 14 November. Please send your name, surname, contact details and why you would like to win to kerryi@dbn.caxton.co.za. Mark the subject box as ‘Aladdin competition’. Entries close on 30 October.