Consciousness of culture

Celestial bodies

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Celestial bodies

At Joburg Theatre for Celestial bodies, a collaboration between Joburg Ballet and Universe on Stage. I was so excited for this.

The execution was stunning, better than in my imagination. I saw the Universe on Stage lecture earlier in the year, it was such an experience! Dr. Luca Pontiggia and Yasheen Modi simplified science, it lost its fear factor, it wasn’t intimidating. With the help of animation, immersive sound and curated narration, they told the story of the big bang, black holes, stars and existence itself. I really loved that lecture, I learned so much.

The Universe on Stage team is back again, this time with Joburg Ballet. The auditorium pitch black, huge screen at the back, the stage empty and Yasheen, the pianist is on the side. Dr. Luca Pontiggia comes in and out the stage.

Impossible to describe the beauty of the ballet dancers. They feel, they show vulnerability. So much poise, technique and beauty. Perfect bodies without a blemish. Stretching, 180 degrees splits in the air, skipping and spinning on their toes. So much elegance, discipline and strength and yet there is a stillness and serenity in the artform. It evokes awe and wonder, you get goosebumps, you gasp – so beautiful.

The costumes by Mari Robinson and Mario Gaglione are so gorgeous!

Lighting design by Simon King set the mood, engulfed by darkness. So minimal, effective and powerful. It concentrated all your energy and focus to the stage.

Darius Botha is the unsung hero with the awesome visuals and animation.

Yasheen Modi just might be the greatest Pianist of all time.

Dr. Luca Pontiggia is brilliant as the narrator. We learned about the big bang, stars and the beauty of the universe.

Thank you so much Di.

Congratulations Mario Gaglione and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

Born to perform

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Born to perform

At the Teatro for “Born to perform”, big day, a time perform, to shine. Youthful energy, vibrant, anticipating to get this done, they love it, they want to dazzle and entertain. Stageworxs alumni, everywhere in the world, successful, thriving, living out their dreams. Jessica Driver among the alumni, served in ABBA and the Taylor Swift Eras in theatres all around the world to much acclaim. Today she was handing out the baton to the next generation, so symbolic, powerful. Zinah Rose and Graeme Watkins were outstanding as hosts. A lot of comedic moments. Like when Graeme came on to the stage with no pants. Zinah had them. The show had everything, everybody performed their hearts out, even the kids. Well practiced and delivered with precision, love and dedication. Fourways High, ST. Vincent for the deaf and NSA are the schools participating, Beauty and the Beast featured, Naledi Award winner Neo Kele performed and Mia Nupen was mezmarrizing, she sang and did ballet, standing on her toes, so majestic, so beautiful. Yahto Kraft is so incredible! He stunned Riky Rick and Lira on popular music show “The Voice”, the judges didn’t know what to say, they were pressing buttons followed by a standing ovation by everyone in the auditorium. That is still his content, he played the Evil ring master and Jesus in the same year. This time he sang Meatloaf classics, that’s always great. The crowd was appreciative. Simphiwe Ndhlovu was a lot of fun. There was a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy and a lot of people involved in the production. I met Matthew Marinus.

Congratulations Stageworxs and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

đź“·: SamSays

AIDA

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AIDA

At Ster-Kinekor Theatres, Rosebank Nouveau to watch the premier of Verdi’s Aida on the big screen. A production by Cape Town Opera performed at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town. I can claim having gone to Cape Town, such was the experience. The visuals in HD and the sound crisp, it was like being in the Artscape auditorium. I kid you not 15 minutes before the show, one of my poems titled “Cape Town” got a like. Cape Town is calling my name again, I don’t believe in coincidences, it’s synchronicities, I read Jung.

A grand production this is. It is spectacular! Egyptian mythology, Isis, vibrant costumes, colorful and bursting with imagination. 4 acts, huge stage. The Opera is sung in Italian, English subtitles for continuity and following with the story. The set evokes the feeling of Egypt with a big triangle hovering in the air against a backdrop of a gold wall that has imagery of the eye of horus. A chorus of 56 singers and dancers who are simply perfect. The singing is phenomenal, we were clapping along with the audience on the screen. A masterclass on technique and finesse, high notes are a given but it’s also about the texture and feel. Opera is emotive and expressive. US based conductor Kamal Khan leads the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

Set in ancient Egypt, Aida is a tragic love story involving: Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt. Radamès, an Egyptian military commander who is in love with Aida. Amneris, the Egyptian king’s daughter, who is also in love with Radamès. The plot revolves around love, loyalty, betrayal, and the conflict between personal desire and duty to one’s country. It ends tragically, as Radamès and Aida are entombed alive for their forbidden love. Yes, buried alive for love.

Gregory Maqoma provides the choreography. A must see for Opera lovers. This production is simply irresistible.

Congratulations Cape Town Opera and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

Dr. Strangelove

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Dr. Strangelove

At Ster-Kinekor Theatres in Rosebank Nouveau to watch “Dr. Strangelove”, live theatre straight from the UK, on the big screen. I’ve got my popcorn and Creme Soda, a Production by National Theatre.

A fantastic show, laughing out loud all the way through. Amazing performers, great script. Steve Coogan plays four characters, I’ve never seen anything like that before, like an illusion, like you watching TV, but it’s not, it’s live theatre, on the big screen. He is amazing in all four roles, so sharp witted, edgy, dark and humorous. My favorite character was Dr. Strangelove, the wheelchair-bound, ex-Nazi scientist with an uncontrollable arm. His arm was so inappropriate and he explained himself far too many times. Humor is so mischievous.

A Stanley Kubrick classic, co-adapted by Armando Iannucci and Sean Foley. It is a dark satire about the Cold War and the nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The story begins when a mentally unstable U.S. Air Force general unilaterally launches a nuclear attack on the USSR. As the U.S. government scrambles to prevent global annihilation, absurdity and bureaucracy collide in spectacular fashion. Peace on earth prevails.

Steven Coogan plays four characters – Dr. Strangelove, Captain Mandrake, President Muffley and Major TJ Kong

Giles Terera is General Turgidson
John Hopkins is General Ripper
Oliver Alvin Wilson is Jeffson

Set and Costume Designer – Hildegard Bechtler

2 hours 10 minutes with 15 minutes interval

Congratulations Sean Foley and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

đź“·: Manuel Harlan

Dancing the death drill

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Dancing the death drill

At the Joburg Theatre for the opening of “Dancing the death drill”, packed house, energy palpable, euphoric. So much excitement, there were even soldiers in uniform. My all time favorite performer stars in it, Sharon Spiegel-Wagner. A truly beautiful woman. She speaks French in this one, I rest my case.

What a wonderful theatrical production. I was ecstatic to see Thuli Thabethe, she used to star in a sitcom I used to love “City Sesla”. She played Phumzile, I used to have the biggest crush on Phumi. She plays Matshidiso in this one, the mother of the lead, Pitso Motaung. Her biggest contribution to her son is “don’t be a desserter like your father”. Pitso is a mixed breed, his father is white and his mother black but he identifies as a black Sesotho man. The play is in English but contains dialogue in Sesotho for realism. Clint Brink is a revelation, he speaks Sesotho so well. He plays a character who is accused of a double murder, he is in chains and he is interrogated.

The play has three narrators and they take turns telling the story. They use language that is descriptive and evokes imagery. The monologues are passionate and full of life and personality.  iComplete are the band and they are simply irresistible throughout, the singing and backup is amazing. The violinist, Nakedi “Ace” Phenyo is mezmarrizing, he is in the background for most of the show and is not seen but heard. Towards the end, he comes on in the middle of the stage with the other performers while playing his violin, everyone has eyes on him, he is spellbinding, he had the audience standing up and applauding. However, It was the Luthando Arts Academy who stole the show. They dance with cohesion, chemistry and conviction. In sync, perfect choreography, they make full use of the huge Joburg Theatre stage to perfection, they are outstanding!

The play is based on the sinking of the SS Mendi in 1917, a British troopship carrying over 800 South African men. The ship sank in the English Channel after a collision, resulting in the deaths of over 600 men, many of them Black South Africans. Writer Fred Khumalo reimagines this tragedy through the eyes of Pitso Motaung, a fictional character who rises from a humble background in South Africa to become a soldier. The story is adapted for the stage by Palesa Mazamisa and James Ngcobo. The set is the SS Mendi, we are on a boat and Charlie Bougenon’s character Portsmouth is the captain. I cracked up when he instructed one of his men to lick off his spit on the ground and he did, talk about running a tight ship.

This is a wonderful production with a lot of enthusiasm. The lighting is awesome and the acting, singing, dancing and overall storytelling is just world-class.

Congratulations James Ngcobo and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

đź“·: SamSays

Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat

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Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat

At Pieter Toerien to watch “Joseph and the amazing technicolor Dreamcoat”, LAMTA, Spring Awakening, that type of vibe. An outstanding show, vibrant energy, youthful, defined bodies, six packs, wonderful lighting, a set that illuminates, Egypt, the eye of horus, fantastic choreographed movement and dance and the best singing in the world. It’s an experience, the sound coops you in, high tempo, faster revolutions.

A musical by Andrew Lloydwebber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics). The story follows Joseph, the favorite of Jacob’s 12 sons, who is given a magnificent multicolored coat. His jealous brothers sell him into slavery, and Joseph ends up in Egypt. Despite many hardships, including being falsely imprisoned, Joseph rises to power by interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. Eventually, he is reunited with his family and forgives his brothers. No dialogue, it’s sung throughout. I took a picture with Joseph. A big credit to Duane Alexander and Jared Schaedler, the choreography is just awesome. The performers on the stage are incredible. They are lively and expressive, their bodies express liberation. They are free and happy. They do a lot, they become props, they carry and throw each other in the air, they run, they jump, they dance, the sing. The costumes are grand and the lighting moves the story. It’s an experience, you are in, you are in and what a journey it is.

Some of the songs performed are Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door, Go, go Joseph, One more Angel in Heaven and Song of the King.

Congratulations Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

đź“·: SamSays

The Frog Prince

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The Frog Prince

At the Peoples Theatre, Joburg Theatre to watch The Frog Prince and other fantastic stories. A wonderful show for the kids with color, imagination, energy, funny gags, sing alongs, morality, fantastic costumes and plenty of participation from the audience. We were very helpful. It wasn’t just the Frog Prince, we had other great stories like: 3 Wishes, a story of a grant wishing flounder with a lifelong lesson about promises “you have to keep your promises”. There was Hansel and Gretel, The brave little tailor, The soup stone, The emperors new clothes and The brave little rooster. There was also a story about goats.

The performers also performed Happy, uptown funk, I’ve got the feeling and Waka Waka, encouraging and teaching the audience dance moves for participating. Perfect choreographed movement and dance.

It is fun and interactive, a lot of smiles and laughter. Children helped and donned costumes, so cute, they were flies, bees, kings guards and a whole lot more. Laughter and happiness reigned. Everyone participated.

Morals like “You have to keep your promise” and basically power; from a small cottage, to a castle to being the king to being the lord of the universe and don’t take things that don’t belong to you provide life lessons.

The wonderful performers are:
Luciano Zuppa
Thokozani TK Jiyane
Raymond Skinner
Noluthando Matebula

1 and a half hours with 10 minutes interval.

Congratulations Jill Girard and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing.

Godspell

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Godspell

At the Wits Theatre to watch the Student Production of the Year, “Godspell”. So glad it was not preachy, you can’t be too sure when Jesus is the main character. He is a good, chilled guy in this production, he even has on his “Superman” shirt. He preaches compassion, joy and faith.

A musical conceived by John Micheal Tebelak with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Godspell presents a series of parables, mostly drawn from the Gospel of Matthew, told through a framework of theatrical games, storytelling, and music. Jesus gathers a group of followers and teaches them lessons of love, humility, and service. The story culminates in a poignant reenactment of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion.

The set is simple, wide stage and a fence at the back. Behind the fence above is a big cross made of wood pallets, on either side of the big cross are small crosses also made of wood pallets. The set reinforces the Christian theme.

Yahto Kraft plays Jesus with Grant Towers as Judas. The followers of Jesus are the Oakfields College Musical Theatre and Dance Students from the first year to the final year. They all give their best, they are boundless energy, they are expressive and highly animated. They light-up, performing different dance styles. Wonderful team chemistry and choreographed movement. Costumes are colorful and bright with waterpaints on their faces. Everyone tells the story, everyone is involved in the story, everyone has a line, everyone has a role even if you are an echo backing up what the previous performer just uttered, often times they dramatized it to comedic effect. The singing and lighting are just irresistible. Some of the songs performed are; Day by day, Prepare Ye (The way of the Lord), All for the best, By my side, We beseech thee and other classics.

It’s the Naledi Award winning “Student Production of the Year” for a reason. They perform their hearts out, with precision, care and love for their craft.

Congratulations Tracey Human and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

đź“·: SamSays

The Importance of Being Earnest

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The Importance of Being Earnest

Day 4, an extended birthday run, at Ster-Kinekor Rosebank to watch “The Importance of Being Earnest”.

One of my favorite superhero movies of all time is Spider-Man 2. In the movie, Peter Parker’s love interest, Mary-Jane Watson stars in a Broadway play called “The Importance of Being Earnest”. I was always curious, always wanted to see this Oscar Wilde classic. A full circle moment, today I got to watch it on the big screen with Popcorn, Cream Soda with ice and crisp sound. Live theatre production straight from the UK, a production by National Theatre. Watching theatre on the big screen is so refreshing, there’s even an interval, the cinema is in my life again, Janet de Kretser is my new best friend.

Oscar Wilde is undoubtedly one of the greatest playwrights of all time. The writing on “The Importance of Being Earnest” is truly phenomenal, with wit, sarcasm, humor, irony, perfect pacing and beat by beat conversations that make dialogue naturalistic.

The play follows two young gentlemen, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, who use fake identities to escape social obligations and pursue romantic interests. Jack Worthing lives in the country but pretends to be “Earnest” in the city to enjoy a more carefree life. He wishes to marry Gwendolen Fairfax, who loves him mainly because she believes his name is Earnest. Algernon Moncrieff, Jack’s friend, visits Jack’s country estate using a made-up identity—posing as Jack’s fictitious brother “Earnest”—and falls in love with Cecily Cardew, Jack’s young ward. Chaos and humor ensue as identities are mistaken, secret pasts are revealed, and everyone ends up questioning who anyone really is. Sets change multiple times in the show, it’s a theatrical production, drop the curtain and when you pull it up again, everything has changed.

Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo is Gwendolen Fax

Julian Bleach is Merriman
Sharon D Cant is Lady Bracknell
Ncuti Gatwa is Algernon Moncrieff
Hugh Skinner is Jack Worthing
Eliza Scanlen is Cecily

2 hours and 50 minutes with 15 minutes interval.

Set and Costume by Rae Smith

Congratulations Max Webster and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing.

đź“·: Marc Brenner

Belinda Davids

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Belinda Davids

Day 3 at the Joburg Theatre to watch the Whitney Houston tribute show. Whitney Houston is Sharon Spiegel-Wagner’s favorite artist of all time. Sharon is also born in August. Happy Birthday great man, long live antakalipa, live long!

Sam and Stew have watched this four times and they don’t rule out a fifth. Best birthday ever, I can’t conceive of anything better. I never saw Whitney, however she taught me the greatest love of all. I have made up my mind, Belinda Davids is my favorite performer of all time. Belinda Davids is Whitney Houston maybe even better, sacrilegious, I know, I don’t know what to say after watching something like that. She is truly amazing!

After the show, I followed Belinda on all her socials because I want her to stay with me forever. So in love with Belinda Davids, that voice, the technique. She is so beautiful. She is perfect. I’ve never experienced anything like that, couldn’t stop singing and clapping. The audience didn’t want the show to stop, Belinda escaped. The greatest tribute show of all time, Showtime Australia the culprits.

It was an absolutely great show, some might say the greatest tribute show of all time. Yes, she sings Whitney songs but that’s Belinda Davids! Maybe even better, sacrilegious, but she’s transcended. Belinda Davids is so amazing. Perfection. She sings for the love and not because of fame or a fleeting experience. She is simply technical excellence.

Full house, the audience enthused and excited. Some of the songs performed are: Saving all my love for you, Greatest love of all, I have nothing, I will always love you, One moment in time, My love is your love, I am every woman, So emotional, I wanna dance with somebody and other timeless classics.

This has been the best birthday of my life. Thank you to God for the 30 years. SamSays on the credits. Whitney Houston is Sharon Spiegel-Wagner’s favorite artist of all time. Sharon is also born in August.

Congratulations Showtime Australia and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

đź“·: SamSays