Durban offers an uncharacteristically diverse range of theatre options this week.
? ‘Rajesh Gopie brings his extraordinary talent as an actor to his writing for the stage. The Coolie Odyssey is also remarkable for his deeply informed historic perspectives of how Indian people emerged from untold enduring hardships to become leaders in our South African society.” This resounding endorsement of multi-award-winning historical drama The Coolie Odyssey comes from Nobel Laureate Nadine Gordimer. And hers is one of many in an impressive chorus of approval: Gopie’s brilliant account of the struggle of indentured Indian labourers returns to the city of its birth on the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Indians in South Africa. The play’s Durban run follows a high-profile international tour early this year that filled houses in Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai and Johannesburg. Leavening the harshness with humour and imagination, the tale is told by a monkey with memories of previous human incarnations who, on an old typewriter, types up the story of indentured labourer Ramlal Kihari who arrived in Durban in 1888.
Playhouse Drama, July 14 to August 7. Evening performances are at 7.30pm with schools performances and matinees at 11am. Tickets are R120 (schools R40; pensioners at matinees R50). All tickets for Thursday night performances are discounted to R80. Booking is through Computicket.
? The award-winning star of charismatic cabaret acts A Handful of Keys, Rock Me Amadeus and The Buddy Holly Story returns to Durban with his new show, Topsy Turvy: A Fresh Look at Gilbert & Sullivan. Jonathan Roxmouth takes the audience for a rambunctious ride through the crazy world of ridiculous characters from Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic
operettas.
Seabrooke’s Theatre, Durban High School, until July 24. Tel: 031 205 7602 / 082 499 8636 Email: [email protected]. Visit: www.rhumbelow.za.net.
? One of Durban’s supper-theatre venues this week lets rip with its new big-budget extravaganza, Six of the Best, a celebration of six of the greatest pop and rock icons. A sequel to last year’s hit, The Big Five, the show features a 10-member cast and a live band, and struts its way through a collection of classics such as Bohemian Rhapsody, A Kind of Magic and You Give Love a Bad Name.
The Barnyard Theatre, Gateway, until August 28. Tickets are R125 from Wednesday to Saturday; R90 every Tuesday night and Sunday matinee show. Tel: 031 566 3045. Email: [email protected]. Visit: www.barnyardtheatres.co.za.
? A ‘dinner thriller” sees an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery unfold on stage that requires astute audience participation to figure out ‘who dunnit”. The Strange Case of Dinah Lane is set in 1929 when the charleston is all the rage in colonial Natal during the Roaring Twenties. At an extraordinarily opulent weekend party on a North Coast sugar estate a shocking murder is committed. Each one of the dazzling array of guests is a suspect; each ‘loyal” member of staff is under suspicion. This is murder most foul and the challenge is for the diners to unravel the mystery — to figure out who did it and why.
Hexagon Dive Theatre, Pietermaritzburg, July 21, 22 and 23 at 7pm. Tickets are R180, which includes a ‘Christmas in July” three-course meal. Booking is essential. Tel: 033 845 0400.
? The Silent Princess: A Play for Children is a new creation by veteran director Peter Mitchell. The tale is that of a princess whose voice is stolen by an evil fairy. This becomes an urgent problem when it is discovered that dashing Prince Arkalan (whom she met on Facebook) is on his way to court her. A cure is needed fast so a motley crew under the command of the princess embark on a quest to find Morgana the Sorceress. As with all things royal these days, there is great deal of interference from the media.
Hexagon Theatre, Pietermaritzburg, until July 16. Tickets are R35 in advance or at the door. Tel: 033 260 5537.