/ 28 July 2011

Durban theatre pick: July 29 2011

Award-winning Durban production company KickstArt maintains its high professional standards with the Durban premiere of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s cult musical, ­Cabaret, the film version of which propelled Liza Minnelli to fame.

The darkly majestic fable is set in Berlin’s Kit Kat Klub in 1931 and revolves around jaded English cabaret performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with young American writer Cliff Bradshaw. The production stars the cream of Durban stage talent — Lisa Bobbert, Bryan Hiles, Charon Williams-Ros, Peter Court, Clare Mortimer, Lyle Buxton, Janna Ramos-Violante, Liesl Coppin, Belinda Henwood, Marion Loudon and Jessica Sole. Adding to the divinely decadent atmosphere is German musical theatre star Sascha Halbhuber making his South African debut as the sinister, sexy master of ceremonies, Emcee.

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, August 6 to 28. Performances Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, at 6pm on Sundays and at 2.30pm on Saturdays. Tickets are R130 Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday matinees, and R150 Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. There are low-price previews on August 6 and 7. Book at Computicket.