Day 1 of my birthday weekend at The Cirk to watch “La Bella – I am a woman”. Big weekend, you have to start strong!
I can’t imagine anything better than The Cirk to kick-start the festivities. It didn’t disappoint. All female cast, so many beautiful, literally perfect ladies on the stage. God’s glory, perfect bodies, beauty incomprehensible. The show beams sexuality. It is sultry, passionate and sexy – to reference Beyonce, oh so bootylicious. Costumes: underwear, lingerie and poles to dance for you.
The female form is a thing of beauty, it is art. When it stretches and bends like elastic, it is awe-inspiring. It stimulates your imagination, it’s suggestive, it makes you day-dream with your eyes wide awake. It’s so difficult to keep your eyes off the ladies on the stage, they are captivating and embody the spirit of femininity. Nothing exists besides them, beauty and talent like that doesn’t negotiate. They are liberated and embrace their sexuality. There’s singing, dancing and a violinist who is absolutely mezmarrizing. Silks, splits, cages that hover in the air and aerialists doing the impossible are a given. They spin in the air like tops, stretch and hang by their legs in the air in a manner that makes your heart drop. Done with a smile to indicate it’s all in a days work. Typical Cirk at their typical best.
I usually have reservations about calling August ladies month because I was born in August and I am a serious man, but after a show like that, sure you can have it. I have no problem with you ladies, it’s your month. I took a picture with the all female cast after the show and you can see the happiness on my face. I’ve never been that happy, ever!
Congratulations to The Cirk for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.
Best show ever! Honestly, it’s better than great. It is amazing story-telling. Everything tells a story, from the lights, to the sound and the effects. You don’t even have time to be bored, your mind doesn’t wander, you just hooked from the first moment the actors get on stage. Masterful story-telling, the details, the tone, everything was deliberate and meant to contribute or convey something to the story, it’s content on another level, an example of world-class theatre. It’s Sylvaine Strike, she’s the common denominator, she’s the one with the magic wand, the conductor, I got the same feeling after watching “The Promise”, the feeling of this is the greatest day of my life. Wow! That was a great show! I enjoyed every moment. Ah, It’s beautiful to be young even in Germany, I didn’t think you could do that on the stage, clears throat – Coitus, it was certainly saucy, that moment certainly got my full attention. Thoroughly satisfied, happy there was an interval for a little breather, happy with the overall length of the show, happy with everything, I am in love with theatre. The show is captivating, your eyes are locked to the stage, everything disappears, you get immersed in the story, it’s an experience. She’s the best director in the world. The actors on the stage were amazing, so talented, so in love with their craft. The singing was amazing and the cheography perfect. Everything was perfect. Again, the lighting and sound effects! Everything was on cue. The hours and practice it must have took to create that! They worked hard. It’s amazing, they created magic on the stage with a minimal set. The actors made use of the stage to perfection. It’s Sylvaine Strike, she’s the common denominator, she makes great art, a master storyteller, a theatre world champion, the greatest of all time. A deserved standing ovation and congratulations on the whole team for creating a masterpiece. Thank you Sam for yet another great pass ♥️. SamSays on the credits.
Best show ever! I swear I laughed in every episode, the only show that has ever had that effect on me. Seinfeld was great, I am a fan but I didn’t trust Larry David after the finale. The audience deserved more especially after investing so much in the show and the characters, 9 years is a long time. I didn’t want to see the gang go to jail. It left me with a negative cognitive effect. It looked like Curb was heading in the same direction but it was a mistrial and Larry walked. Oh, Thank God! They really should have ended Seinfeld like that! The last scene is beautiful as we see all the friends together in the plane heading home after the trial doing what they always do – bickering. Much better, great finale Larry. Curb Your Enthusiasm the greatest sitcom of all time. Shout-out Ted Danson, a favorite of mine and JB Smoove is funny as hell. Great cast, great fictionalized characters, funny is an understatement. Larry David is a genius. I am happy with the finale, I am happy with the whole show. I doubt it will ever be surpassed.
I know aligning and associating with me is difficult. I represent everything repressed and unconscious. I am vulgar, explicit and at times offensive. My words have a lot of salt and can cut deep. It’s my sense of humor, it’s all wrong and I put bad guys on a pedestal. I understand why the industry recoils, I understand why anybody would recoil. I challenge and dare you to look! I represent humanity’s darkside and repressions. Let’s be real, if I had a prominent seat I’d probably get cancelled. Oh yes, I am the cancelled type. Regardless, it’s my perspective and these are the stories I want to tell. I don’t want to be cool, I don’t want to be anyone’s role model, I just want to be. For me being the consciousness of culture entails telling stories in my own voice even if it makes people uncomfortable, angry or otherwise. So I am at a crossroads, try to appease the industry and hope they will accept me despite the fact that I am a long shot or carry on being the controversial, undesirable “antakalipa”. I really like “antakalipa”. I am going to choose “antakalipa” – consciously. It’s okay, the industry can turn their backs on me, I understand. Maybe I won’t be rich, maybe I won’t collaborate with industry greats, maybe I won’t get the resources, maybe I will be shunned, maybe I won’t amount to much, but I will tell my stories, I will share my perspective. I choose me and my controversial take. I choose antakalipa. I am already a long shot, I am already an underdog, I came this far, I have to carry on, I bet on myself despite everything, even if it prolongs the journey, even if I don’t succeed, I choose antakalipa. Love me or leave me alone, I am not changing for anybody. Don’t do me any favors, you can leave if you want to. I choose antakalipa.
At the Teatro for the Jonathan Roxmouth My favorite Broadway show. Seats so good, you stay seated when someone ahead of you is on their feet. Literally eyeball-to-eyeball with Jonathan and you can see the Maestro’s shoes. Thank you Belinda Howard and as always SamSays on the credits.
Charisma, presence, composure, calm, warmth are adjectives to describe Roxmouth. He keeps you engaged, he is captivating and the delivery masterful. Last time I was at the Teatro, I was watching “Swinging Las Vegas” – high octane show with hits galore! Came back for the Maestro and Jonathan Roxmouth for new memories. It’s ridiculous how good Jonathan is, he commands the stage, has comedic timing and spellbinding on the mic. Songs about love and a couple of ABBA classics – thank you for the music! He sings with passion, love and attention for his craft. You are at his mercy, the world stops for him. His voice melts on the pan like butter. It is soothing like a lullaby and keeps you awake like Redbull – energizing, you can listen to him the whole day. You get lost in his voice, he has the capability of making you daydream but you are lucid so you applaud after the song.
Roxmouth is joined by Maestro Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra who are too great to encapsulate with words. I need to update my music vocabulary and acclimatize myself to the jargon, then maybe I’ll have a better chance of expressing myself. Then again, you play music, it was never meant to be serious. The stage has the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra concentrated in the middle and they spread to the sides. Behind the Orchestra are screens, one in the middle and one on either side. The screens provide a backdrop and themes of the songs performed. Jonathan Roxmouth changes costumes three times, different colored suits with sequins. The part where he tap-dances with the other Jonathan’s on the screen is awesome, humorous, I enjoyed that there was female representation, perfect choreography and completely in sync. Maestro Adam Howard expertly leads procedures. He is in charge, present, perfect, there is no show without him. I am with Momo, he has Maestro Adam Howard by his side, but I do recognize Kabza’s greatness.
Great show, a privilege to behold Roxmouth’s mastery on the stage. Chicago is up next!
Congratulations Jonathan Roxmouth and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.
At the Market Theatre for the opening of “Breakfast with Mugabe, Standard Bank had an influence, drinks, soup, bread and general snacks on the house. Posed for pictures with distinguished people, met the director Calvin Ratladi.
Written by Fraser Grace, ‘Breakfast with Mugabe’ stars Themba Ndaba portraying Mugabe and Gontse Ntshegang as his wife, Grace. Craig Jackson plays Mugabe’s psychiatrist, Dr Peric, while Zimbabwean actor Farai Chigudu takes on the role of Mugabe’s bodyguard. The play is about Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe’s fictional imagining of conversations with white psychiatrist Dr Peric. Initially, Mugabe is avoidant, he misses appointments and comes late. They go deep delving into Mugabe’s psyche, the struggle is unearthed, bombings comes to the surface and love of country is elevated. The characters speak in Shona for realism, the play is in English. Exploitation happens, the white farmer loses his farm. The play explores grief, healing, faith, nationalism and legacy.
The set is in Zimbabwe’s head of state, coat of arms on the wall and a portrait of a painting on the other side of the wall. Elevated slightly by a stage in the middle is a trio of chairs and a table for juice. On the ground is soil, it features at the start and the end of the play. Themba Ndaba is brilliant as Robert Mugabe, he embodies his mannerisms, the restless energy, panting, speech and demeanor. I loved Gontse Ntshegang, she is so beautiful and amazing, she stole the show as Grace. She is after your farm white man. Craig Jackson as Dr Peric is a psychiatrist whose about learn what it means to be a white farmer in Zimbabwe, he learns the hard way, he loses. Farai Chigudu as the bodyguard beats up the white psychiatrist.
Thought-provoking piece of theatre that delves into the intricacies of human nature. I know I missed so much, it’s not something you watch once. You need multiple viewings to scratch the surface. It can completely go over your head, it needs meditation and contemplation. This is undoubtedly a masterpiece.
Congratulations Calvin Ratladi and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.
At Joburg Theatre for the opening of “Carmen”, full house, mature demographic. Always wanted to go the opera since “The Godfather”. It has that appeal, the voices, drama, emotion, gusto, heritage and culture.
I love this form of storytelling, they sing dialogue, less to do with words and more about emotion, feeling and execution. Sing your heart out, be expressive and articulate, take your time, the stage is yours. The opera is sung in French and English subtitles to translate, it helped with continuity and following the story. Don’t have the vocabulary to describe the voices, such beauty, heavenly is my attempt. The choruses are mezmarrizing, in sync, perfect delivery and immersion in the current moment. In flow and in love with what they were doing. You have to have a voicebox, good pipes and deliver high notes. Tone deaf and you don’t have a chance! Even when they were laughing, they were in tune. This is not idols, no wooden mics for untalented people. These are serious professionals, people who dedicated their whole lives to opera – music. People who can really sing. Four acts, large ensemble, orchestra, gorgeous costumes, the sets change in every act, they transport you to Seville. Love consumes, a tragic story about betrayal and love. My first experience of the opera and I absolutely loved it. Shoutout Bridget and The Buz Hive.
The story unfolds in the sun-drenched streets of Seville, where Carmen – an independent woman – refuses to be bound by anyone’s rules. Her relationships with the soldier Don José and the charismatic bullfighter Escamillo ignite a stormy love triangle of passion, jealousy, and betrayal. George Bizet on the score, some of the pieces performed are “Habanera,” and Toreador Song. The Sempre Opera Ad Hoc Choir, under the direction of Kobus Buys are perfect. Everything is perfect.
Congratulations George Bizet and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.
I am not a fighter, I am a reader, way to pretty to get in a fist fight. I am not a savage, I provide the light, alright, I am bright, way too pretty to not be on your sight. You can have the glory but keep fucking me with me and you’ll be sorry, turn you into content cause your whole vibe is just boring. Fighting over a bitch? Would never get involved like a snitch. Vibe crooked like a witch, that ain’t my craft, I am a work of art. She’s all yours, way too pretty to engage in trivial affairs. It’s not an affair, she wants me but can’t get me, life isn’t fair. Look at the skin, clear like the cloudless blue sky, no lie, glowing and radiating like the sun of God. Would walk on water if I wasn’t transfixed by my image. I am the legend of Narcissus who lived to become a poet. Work of art, number one forever, you can never get leverage. I am greatness personified, it doesn’t matter in what age. Too pretty even when I age, would never entertain your rage, too dignified like a sage, too pretty even when I age. Work of art, revered by God’s, way to major to play a minor part, way too pretty to not play the part.
On the square to watch The Tramp. Amanda Bothma, Daniel Anderson and Paul Ferreira – devastating triple threat! Stick to the secret formula, let’s get the people on their feet cheering and clapping.
Amanda Botha on the script, good feelings, reverse engineering, biographical, sharp witted, with personality, contemplation and reflection. Paul Ferreira on piano, spotless without a blemish, backbone, the pulse silently beating to provide life and sustenance. The first time I ever saw Daniel Anderson perform, I thought “goat” and I managed to shake his hand and tell him to his face. The goat has struck again, back to back, within weeks to casually deliver another masterpiece. I maintain my stance, the greatest performer of all time, it’s amazing what he does on the stage, simply unbelievable. He has energy, expressive, animation and enjoyment on his face, he is mobile and on his feet, running, climbing on top of props, dancing, singing and telling a story all at once. Charisma so bullish, it ripples through the ceilings of charts. Fantastic endurance, breath-control and stamina. Singing and voice intonation is just world class. Captivates you from the first minute until the end, presence, commanding, enthralling. When he sang “If my friends could see me now” after Charlie Chaplin became the most famous person in the world, it connected. I loved smile.
Wonderful set design by Willem Disbergen, middle screen that provides visual cues, we see footage of Charlie Chaplin’s films, two big suitcases that are also screens and the wheelchair Chaplin reels in the show with as an old man at the start of the show. Paul is next to the steps, giving the stage to Daniel to fully optimize. Sonwa Sakuba provides the choreography, worked well with Daniel to match Chaplin’s mannerisms and movements.
Born in London, England Charlie Chaplin transcended and innovated the moving picture business and found his way to Hollywood where he was later exiled. Chaplin wrote, edited, directed, produced, starred and composed music for most of his films. He refused to work with sound films. The show explores Charlie Chaplin’s life, his ascent to the top, the construction of “The Tramp”, the silent era, his movies; The Kid, The Gold Rush and City Lights, the film with Adolf Hitler and how he became the most recognizable person in the world.
An outstanding show, Wela Kapela make me so excited. Daphne Kuhn and Theatre on the square deliver yet again, effortless.
Congratulations Amanda Bothma and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.
Theatre is female. Daphne opened the door, Regina called me in, Sharon took me with her and Sam showed me everything. These are all my girls, I love them with impunity, they loved me and I love them forever. After I took the “Dress Code” script, I experienced some turbulence. Me and Regina were at loggerheads and she didn’t want me at the theatre anymore. I had defied, disrespected her and my time working as stage manager was done! I was tired of being bossed around, she was tyrannical and condescending. She never missed the opportunity to remind me that I owed her for the job. It was unfair and inaccurate, I landed the job myself. I talked to Daphne, I was at the theatre every week watching shows, the theatre needed help with operations and they approached me to help and I accepted. Regina switched everything around, it was I who needed the job, I was lucky to be there and she was the one who hired me not Daphne. I went with what she said because I needed to be there so I can understand the landscape and be apart of theatre. She started with that narrative very early on, one the first day and she was on top from the very first day. She dominated me, she was overbearing, she humiliated me, every time Daphne paid me, she made it a point to ask me how much she had paid me. After my response she would proceed on reminding me how lucky I was I had that job. I was doing the job, I was perfect at it, I was an asset to theatre and yet I was in bondage to her! She used to tell me every day that this was her theatre. Her demeanor was narcissistic. I hated that. I knew I wasn’t going to last from the first day she took that R100 from me, I knew I would turn on her sooner rather than later. What she didn’t understand is that I wasn’t motivated by money or fear, I was doing this for the love. That gave me the edge to be strategic because I wasn’t afraid of losing the job, I welcomed it if it meant I couldn’t work with dignity. She wanted your balls for that paycheck and my balls were mine. I dislike being micromanaged, I prefer to work with autonomy and space, I will do the job perfect if not I will take responsibility for the down fall. I don’t need to be put down and reprimanded in front of an audience, that won’t give you the best results. The truth is that me taking that script was premeditated, I was being spiteful, I wanted her to see and acknowledge me, it was my receipt for everything and my way of showing her that I was pretty narcissistic too. The script had other uses too, I took it to get close to the cast, I knew I wasn’t going to last at the theatre. I anticipated her response, she was outraged and played the victim when I was only reflecting her, I knew my position at the theatre was secured. I stayed away for a while but I’ll be back.
Now that I wasn’t working at the theatre anymore, I connected with Sharon. When we were together working on the “Dress Code”, she said she wanted to take me with her after “Dress Code”. I never forgot that. I told her the theatre didn’t have space for me anymore and reminded her of what she said. She acquiesced and stuck to her word giving me tickets to her shows. When I talked to her, she was there, responding with speed, attention and care. It would have been easy to dismiss me but she didn’t. When theatre had turned it’s back on me and I had nothing, she was there, she was theatre and she was the best. Her show with Allen Committee “Same Time, Next Year” at Montecasino was awesome, she mesmerized me, such talent, I was in awe and she took me to Montecasino, something that raised my spirits because I was not on the square anymore. I will never forget Sharon Spiegel-Wagner, she was there for me, she’s the reason I stayed with theatre and she did it alone. She did take me with her, after the square, I was at two of her shows. I got VIP treatment, I had the best seats and got to see her and hug her after the show. Only good feelings about Sharon.
I came back on the square to watch some shows and was a regular again. They had some kid who replaced me. Good kid, good energy and we connected quite well but to be honest he wasn’t better than me. I was not intimidated at all, in fact I was relieved. True, I do have a bias that makes me think I am the best but I also give credit where it’s due. I didn’t think this new kid was going to last. I thought Regina was going to eat him up! I was happy he was there because he gave me space to maneuver around. With him around I’d be at the theatre more often and have zero responsibilities whilst engaging and living with the people in the theatre. The last time I was there, I didn’t control the narrative, I worked there for a month and towards the end I was painted as an asshole. A label I welcome because I had to be one. With the new kid there, I’d paint my picture, they would see me for who I was and not through unfair projections that weighed me down. I would interact with the staff and help out where necessary whilst avoiding being micromanaged and taking orders from the boss. It was perfect, let him do the job, I’ll take the credit, my plan was long-term. It worked out pretty well, the theatre was home again, every time I showed up I was greeted with a cold beverage and the staff absolutely loved me. When the theatre was packed I assisted the staff and Daphne would give me something in terms of monetary compensation. It was part-time work but I got what I wanted, I was working with autonomy. The new kid didn’t last, he was my replacement but I was working alongside him. I was doing his job better than him. He was the second replacement who couldn’t replace me, oh well at least he worked for a couple of months. After months of labor, Regina finally let down her guard and welcomed me back to the theatre. She gave me back my R100 and I apologized for taking the script, I acknowledged it was a jerk move and we have a new relationship. The truth is that I’ve been an asshole at times, I did her and the theatre wrong, I am not perfect. Still, she forgave me multiple times and tried to show me what was right. I realize that she fought with me so much because she cared. She was the only person who cared. She wanted me to do the right thing. I love her for that even though at times I couldn’t communicate that. Yes, I was selfish and egotistical but it was a defense mechanism. The world had not been kind to me. She gave me everything, she gave me a chance, she took me me in and I will always be grateful for that. I love her the best. Love flows, we are cool.
One day I came in to watch “Vincent”, a show I knew pretty well. It was their second run, their first run was successful. The show is highly acclaimed and was always sold out. I served as a member of the production team on the first run and I was happy to be a part of the crowd for the second. That’s when I met Sam of SamSays and we connected right away, with the greatest of ease. It was so easy talking to Sam, everything flowed. She was a theatre enthusiast and knew everything and everyone. She reviewed shows and went all around the country. We talked about theatre and the Springboks, the World Cup final was playing that day All Blacks vs. Springboks, a game we won! It was a perfect day, “Vincent” was a masterpiece and we won the World Cup. I followed her on her socials and we have been close ever since. She has taken me everywhere! She recommends the best shows and she helps out in every way possible. No hyperbole, Sam is the best thing that has happened to me in the world of theatre. She expanded my horizon and I met new and awesome people because of her. Her reviews are great and I rate her very highly. I never would have met Sam if I didn’t take that “Dress Code” script, I never would have connected with Sharon Spiegel-Wagner if it weren’t for that script. Taking that script is the best thing I’ve ever done. Theatre loves me post that script.
antakalipa 