Alex Sudheim
Adams Books and Coffee Shop, Musgrave Centre. Durban’s Live Poets’ Society has been meeting monthly for more than eight years, with its next rendezvous taking place at this coffee-scented literary enclave on Wednesday May 8 at 5.30pm. The guest presenter is celebrated poet Kobus Moolman, who has just been awarded the prestigious Ingrid Jonker Prize for his volume of verse Time Like Stone, published by the University of Natal Press. He has won several other awards for his plays and poetry, and his short stories have been broadcast by the BBC and SABC. Moolman is also the editor of Fidelities, one of the country’s leading literary journals. In line with the title of his volume of poetry, poets are invited to present works that can be linked to the theme of Time. There will also be opportunity for them to air poems on any subject they wish. There is no charge and all are welcome, but participation is encouraged. More info: Tel: 266 4762 between 8am and 9am on weekdays.
The Barnyard Theatre, Gateway Shopping Complex. The theatre this week rounds off its phenomenally successful season of The Rocky Horror Show, the world’s all-time favourite, double-cheese, ultra-glam rock’n’roll extravaganza, which comes to an end on May 5. Though the cult show turns 30 this year, the off-the-wall camp overkill continues to raise eyebrows and pulses. Leading the cast as Frank ‘n Furter is talented actor Nic Boraine. Local talents Duncan Royce and Tarryn Leek take the roles of Riff Raff and Janet respectively, with Royce also directing the show. Tickets are R75. An official dress-up night where prizes will be awarded takes place on Sunday evenings. The buy-one-get-one-free promotion runs on the Sunday matinee show. In its next theatrical flourish, the Barnyard presents Glory Days, a show right up the alley of lovers of the music of the Seventies and Eighties, who are in for a trip back in time when it does a 12-week run from May 14 to August 4. Bound by an amusing script, Glory Days is presented by Wally, a stereotypical nerd trying to imitate Bruce Springsteen. Nostalgia rules as the three vocalists, four-piece band and two-piece brass section transport patrons back to the unique and dubious sounds and styles of these decades with hits such as We are the World, I Will Survive, Simply the Best, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, and Pride (In the Name of Love). Bookings and more info: Tel: 566 3045/6 or [email protected].
Cinema Sublime, Berea Cinecentre. The weekly fix of independent film for Durban’s cineastes, provided here every Sunday afternoon, on May 5 features The Man Who Cried, Sally Potter’s latest writing and directing effort since the acclaimed Orlando and The Tango Lesson. Though these previous films are held in regard, Potter’s latest historical epic looks like it might stray into dubious sentimental territory. When Johnny Depp plays a “handsome, brooding gypsy” and the film is praised for its “lush cinematic beauty” the warning bells start ringing. Though it boasts a stellar cast (Christina Ricci, Cate Blanchett, John Turturro, Depp and Harry Dean Stanton) and a proven director, its hard to tell whether one can expect powerful, gripping stuff or a period landscape in heavy oils. The film begins when a Russian peasant emigrates to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century with a promise to send for his mother and young daughter. His daughter follows shortly after, but she ends up on a ship bound for England, where she is renamed Suzie and raised by a British family. Many years later, Suzie’s talent for singing and dancing sees her accepted into a Paris dance troupe, where she befriends Lola, a fellow dancer from Moscow; Dante, an egotistical tenor; and Cesar, said gypsy. All is well until the Nazis march into Paris and Suzie’s Russian-Jewish background places her in danger. She must decide whether to leave Cezar and her friends and continue the search for her father in the United States. The film starts at 5.15pm and tickets are R18. Tel: 201 6007.
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, University of Natal, Durban. Until Saturday May 4 Durban will once again resound with the lyrical timbre of several of the world’s most recognised poets during Poetry Africa 2002. The distinguished cultural event showcases a wide diversity of poetry cultures and styles, reflecting the expansive interpretation of the ancient art of poetry all the way from rap, scat, hip-hop, izimbongi poetry and spoken-word improv to impressively deep insights into love, politics, personal struggle and everyday things. Book at Computicket. Tickets are R15 for adults and R7 for pensioners and students. More information: Tel: 260 2506 or www.und. ac.za/und/carts.
Gunners’ Arms, Old Fort Road. After a tragic start to the KwaSuka Theatre Company’s production of Shades of Marguerite Poland, the successful schools’ touring programme is back in Durban for run at this atmospheric old venue downtown. The production is a dramatic exploration of well-known Durban novelist Marguerite Poland’s Shades a set work for this year for senior high school students written by Caroline Smart and Patrick Collyer. The production was hit by tragedy early in rehearsals when actor Nathi Kunene, who played the central character of Benedict, died. The demanding central part was taken up at short notice by Edwin Khumalo, with the rest of the cast made up by Stacey Taylor, Mbongiseni Buthelezi, Hennie Baird, Shannon Kenny and Joe Carroll. Performances continue twice daily until May 11 with two public performances taking place on the evenings of May 10 and 11 at the KwaSuka Theatre. More info:Tel: 309 2236. After the Durban run the Kwasuka Theatre Company will embark on a nationwide tour of the production. Schools wishing to know more about performance dates in their area should call the above number.
Langoustine Theatre by the Sea. Taking wing on the evergreen formula of a sprightly mlange of tried-and-trusted golden oldies with saucy banter thrown in is Westenders, the new musical at this ritzy supper-theatre venue. The show, which runs until May 26, is essentially a potted musical history of London’s famous West End and is thus packed to the brim with the most popular show tunes that have emerged from those theatres over the decades. The production features real-life former Westenders Vanessa Skaer and Darren King, who are joined by Stephan Marneweck and Claire Rowlett in a show that combines a strong narrative element with carefully chosen musical numbers. In a postmodern twist, the show is set in a supper-theatre venue where four actors are rehearsing for a new season on the West End. Their stories are told with the obligatory welter of showbiz hits such as Last Night of the World, I Know Him so Well, I Dreamed a Dream, Memories and Big Spender. In addition to the usual deal involving a fine three-course meal, the Langoustine also offers a special R65 show-only package. More info: Tel: 563 7324. Book at the Langoustine or Computicket.For credit-card bookings call Tel:304 2753.
Square Space Theatre, University of Natal, Durban. Though it has been breathlessly described as “a tremendous modern tragedy of guilt and conscience”, Neil McCarthy’s The Great Outdoors is more a rather blatant rip-off of Bonfire of the Vanities and Indecent Proposal with a bit of amateur Crime and Punishment thrown in. The plot revolves around two couples and how the apparently stable foundation of their lives dramatically collapses after a chance brush with fate. The play’s run comes to an end on Saturday May 4. More information:Tel: 261 3487.
St Mary’s church hall, Windermere Road. See Theatre Pick of the Week. Tel:209 0142.
Theatre pick of the week
It’s Not Where I Start …
St Mary’s church hall
May 8 to 18
After countless excursions into the world of international professional cabaret under her belt, Amra-Faye Wright has some classic showbiz tales to tell. A highly experienced performer and seasoned traveller, her assured stage presence and musical gifts are sure to make her new show, It’s Not Where I Start , a cabaret connoisseur’s delight.
After her critically acclaimed stage turns in Rouge Pulp and Drinks on Me last year, Wright performs It’s Not Where I Start in the St Mary’s church hall in Windermere Road before returning to the United Kingdom to take up a lead role in the British tour of hit musical Chicago.
Says Wright of the production, which also features pianist Evan Roberts and trumpeter Andy Cuss, “This show is very personal and tells of what I have experienced along the way in show business and theatre, so there will be really interesting dialogue illustrated by the songs that I have chosen. In contrast to other shows, this one is more honest and less frantic. I try to get away from the run-of-the-mill showstoppers and go for more obscure stuff that can be dramatised.”
It’s Not Where I Start includes numbers such as Ute Lemper’s I’m a Vamp, Paris Makes Me Horny from Victor Victoria, Bette Midler’s Otto Titsling, Natalie Cole’s Straighten Up and Fly Right and Maybe This Time from the movie Cabaret.
It runs from May 8 to 18 with shows at 7.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday, at 6pm and 9pm on Friday May 17 and at 6pm on Sunday May 12. Tickets are R68. A cash bar will be available. Book a table at Bean Bag Bohemia next door for dinner on Tel:309 6019 or order a mezze platter for R35 a head with your tickets and have it served at your table. Book at Computicket or Tel: 209 0142. Corporate enquiries, block bookings or sold performances:Tel: 082 378 7486. Alex Sudheim