/ 8 March 2012

Durban comedy picks: March 9 2012

The KWV Indian Comedy Tour features a line-up of international and local stand-up and sketch comedians.

They will perform at five venues in March. On the bill are: Umit Bali from Sydney, who provides fast-paced sketches of an immigrant’s life; Anil Desai from London, who is a master mangler of pop culture and whose comedy sketch group, the Giant Pineapple Boys, wowed the Edinburgh Festival; Johannesburg’s Rabin Harduth, whose cerebral comedy is very popular; Durban’s Shika Budhoo, who is the funniest character on cult radio drama Lollypop Lane; and local laughter merchants Maeshni Naicker and Koge Naidoo from Chatsworth.

Sibaya Casino, March 9 to 11; Newcastle Civic Centre, March 14; Port Shepstone Civic Centre, March 15; Richards Bay/Empangeni Imbizo Centre, March 16; Golden Horse Casino, Pietermaritzburg, March 18. Adults only. Website: indiancomedy.co.za.

? Bosman & Then Some! is a lively homage to the sage of the Groot Marico himself. Life-long Herman Charles Bosman aficionado and accomplished actress Barbie Meyer works with experienced director Bets Basson to bring vividly to life the world in which the legendary scribe both lived and wrote.

The Secret Garden Supper Theatre, 9 Bisley Road, Pietermaritzburg, March 9 and 10 at 6.30pm. Tickets are R140 including dinner. Booking is essential. Tel: 082?496?3545/082?818?4552.

? The Theatre at St Anne’s College in association with Maritzburg College present a new version of Aristophanes’ 421BC anti-war farce, Lysistrata. Determined to make a serious point about the absurdity of war — Athenian civilisation was on the brink of collapse as a result of the spectacular failure of the Sicilian Expedition — but not too keen on being executed by the authorities because of it, Aristophanes spun his allegory around another battle — that of the sexes — in which the women go on “marital strike” until the men stop fighting.

The Theatre, St Anne’s College, Howick, March 12 to 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets R50. Tel: 033?343?6100.