Field Band Foundation to perform in Norway

Going through "Die Burger" newspaper last week I came across an article by Ema Buffel about South Africa sending a field band to the Spilleglede Music Featival in Stavangar Norway. The 53-member South African contingent will join over 9000 musicians and 240 orchestras in performances, street parades, workshops and the Norwegian championships for school orchestras. The fesitval runs from 20-24 June and the band will spend 10 days in Flanders on their way to Norway. The Field Band Foundation was started in 1997 and now has 26 bands with 4000 members nationally. The Foundation aims to provide access to the performing arts to young people who would not normally have the opportunity. What an honour! Angela

We all Benefit Concert by PANSA

The Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) is organising the We All Benefit concert as a stand against xenophobia. The concert will be at the Baxter Theatre on Sunday, 1 June at 3pm and tickets are only R50 from Computicket. Audience members are asked to bring along donations such as cash, toys, blankets, non-perishable food and toiletries. This is one event to show your support for the current refugee crisis as well as our local artists.

The fantastic artists who have donated their skills and time are David Kramer, Neo Muyanga, Nik Rabinowitz, The Rudimentals, Tucan Tucan, Theatre Sports, Magnet Theatre, CODA, Louw Venter, Lara Bye, Mbali Kgosidintsi, Eddy Mansami, Matthew Gair, Tristan Waterkeyn, Winslow Schalkwyk, Andy Lund, Primrose Mrwebi and Erica Glyn-Jones. Brett Bailey will be creating something special in the foyer.Angela

Cabaret revisited

I have been thinking about the production all weekend. The first part is light and fun showing the decadence of the Kit Kat Club and all its characters. What has got me thinking is the second half which is darker and reflects the growing influence of the Nazi party. The introduction is quite subtle in the beginning and then becomes more and more prominent like the dancers in one scene that turn their hats around to look like the German helmet, and songs ending with a salute. There is also the song "If you could see her through my eyes" which is funny until the last line which hits you in the face. It made me realise how easily such changes can happen and that we need to be aware of what is happening around us. Cabaret provided a lot of food for thought. Angela

Cabaret

Last night we went to see Cabaret at the Artscape and it was fabulous. I only know the film version which I now realise is very watered down. However, as a friend pointed out, you are looking at the characters as they were portrayed in the film. Regardless it was both spellbinding and chilling. It is also so relevant today with the xenophobia of the last week.

I spoke to the Director, Teddy Davis, who said that he had begun the preparations for the show two years ago. It was a hige risk as Cabaret was last played in 1995 by Capab and it was a flop. It must be so satisfying seeing the full houses and raptuous applause at an excellent (amateur) production - there was nothing amateur about the acting. Cabaret has another week, but I am told that it is sold out. They are putting on an extra show on 1 June so there is a last chance there. Well done to everyone on and back stage! Angela

Cabaret

Life is a cabaret old chum, so come to the ... Cabaret

We went to see the Cape Town performance of Cabaret last night at the Artscape Arena. We really enjoyed the show and were so impressed at the proffessional standard of the show considering that the cast were all amateur actors and were not gettting paid for performing. Brian Winter took the leading role of Emcee and really held the show together.

The show is quite relevant at the time when there is an uprising of xenophobia against refugees in our townships. The show help's to highlight the problems.

The venue was really intimate and really allowed the show to work well. We must congratulate Teddy Davies and his cast for pulling such a magnificent show together.

The show runs until the 31st of May, so you better try and get tickets.

Paul

In the Nik

Last Saturday (17th) we went to see Nick Rabinowitz at On Broadway. It is the first time that we had seen him and he was brilliant. He uses a combination of English, Afrikaans and Xhosa to comment on daily life. The problem with seeing comedians is that I either can't remember the punchline or else it is definitely not funny if I try to retell a joke. He is definitely on my list of people to follow. Angela

Playground at the Baxter

The Baxter Theatre has a programme called Playground where four original plays are read. The Director and cast have 7 days to rehearse the script. There is the opportunity to produce the play with the greatest audience response. I went to see False Witness not knowing what to expect. Although the cast have the script with them I quickly looked beyond that and became engrossed in a fascinating tale of intrigue. The basic storyline is that a prominent human rights lawyer shoots her husband in self defence or was it? The playwright Paul Johnson has cleverly included many current issue into this fabulous play. No one anticipated the ending. Someone afterwards said, "In true Agatha Christie tradition". I hope that this play "wins" as it will be wonderful to see it performed on a full stage - can't wait

My Soul Sings

This is a bit of a joke between Paul and myself as it is usually what I say after coming out of a fabulous show. Somehow that 60 minutes of suspended time and imagination just makes me feel elated, like I am flying. In the past three weeks. We went to see Hamlet at the HB Thom Theatre, False Witness in the Baxter Playground series and then Nick Rabinowitz at On Broadway. Each very different but with same effect, I suppose a bit like a drug. With the rising prices, especially of petrol, entertainment is normally the first item to be cut back. There is already some speculation as to how it is going to affect the size of audiences. Well in our household, something else must go. How can I lose my escape from the daily grind, my glimpse of beauty and one of the safest highs? I hope that you all keep going to the theatre too. Angela