Pop-Upstairs for some great theatre

As per usual, there’s something new at the innovative PopArt Theatre and it’s already available for your enjoyment.

Pop-Upstairs is an initiative devised in collaboration with the PopArt Centre’s sister theatre in Cape Town, The Alexander Bar. The partnership aims to facilitate a connection between fringe theatres (experimental theatre work) in South Africa, working toward creating a network for touring fringe productions. Ultimately, it envisions this expanding into a global fringe network.

The cross-city exchange takes place up to four times annually, with a curated season of top theatre content in each space, twice a year. “We’re thrilled to be bringing the award-winning Dani and the Lion, directed by Nicholas Spagnoletti, and Jon Keevy’s Single-Minded, from the Mother City to you,” said Hayleigh Evans, co-founder of the PopArt Theatre. This month, as part of Pop-Upstairs, the theatre will be presenting three exciting shows.

Kochira, meaning ‘thank you’ in Japanese, is a production by director Khutjo Green and performer Tristan Jacobs who collaborate across performative styles. It is in this type of contemporary theatre where a solo storyteller spins imaginative tales – often humorous. Dani and the Lion are cabaret-style songs and stories written and performed by Daneel van der Walt, who is accompanied by David Lubbe. The award-winning production runs on select days during March.

Ending off this month on a high is the ‘sketchy comedy’, Single-Minded. Mixing comedy and raunchy with a dazzling disregard for politeness and moral hygiene, Jon Keevy serves up six scenes tackling issues of sex and love – from bachelorette parties and misleading dating profiles – to just good old-fashioned homicide. Kiroshan Naidoo and Kathleen Stephens peform in this risqué production.

With so much on offer at the PopArt Theatre, there’s no reason not to get on down to Maboneng this month.

Details: www.popartcentre.co.za

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