Youth performers from Kwasha! Theatre Company and Moving Into Dance feature in 'Father and I'. Picture: Hoek Swaratlhe
While we might be drawing closer to the silly season, the theatre shows are nowhere near slowing down.
If anything, they are ramping up as we look forward to enjoying the holidays with loved ones.
In the meantime, these shows are worth checking out.
If you are a ballet lover, Don’t miss Mzansi Ballet’s double-bill of “Carmen” and “The ABBA Show: A Cinderella Story”.
Featuring traditional flamenco, ballet and pantsula dancing, “Carmen” is celebrated as a fresh and inventive take on the classic tale.
According to the press release, Spanish choreographer, teacher and dancer, José Manuel Buzón Ruiz, from the University of Juan Carlos in Madrid, is collaborating with Mzansi Ballet choreographer Angela Revie to bring this innovative work to life.
In addition, the company is also tapping into the local Spanish dance community in Johannesburg and Pretoria to add a homegrown flavour to the performance.
“Carmen” is underpinned by the haunting music of Georges Bizet and promises to leave audiences enthralled with its powerful exploration of love, betrayal and envy.
In the latter part of December, “The Abba Show: A Cinderella Story” will be making its stage debut.
Angela Revie is credited with the choreography while David Hutt is tasked with the costumes.
As the title suggests, this is an amalgamation of the timeless music of ABBA with the enchanting tale of Cinderella.
Aside from Mzansi Ballet’s dancers delivering a magical performance, Javier Monier Jouve Jr. and Ariel Mejica are the guest stars.
Where: Pieter Torien Theatre, Montecasino.
When: “Carmen” runs from December 11 - 22; “The ABBA Show: A Cinderella Story” is scheduled for December 26 - January 19, 2025.
Cost: Tickets for both shows vary between R200 to R350 and can be purchased through Webtickets.
Father and I
While on the subject of dance, this is another production worth checking out.
Greg Homann, artistic director at The Market Theatre Foundation, helms this vibrant production. He is supported by Sunnyboy Motau, the artistic director for Moving into Dance, who choreographs it.
The music on the show is by Bongile Lecoge-Zulu.
“Father and I” channels personal stories through song, dance and music to explore South African fathers’ relationship with their children.
According to the press statement, the stage production showcases fathers as human beings. Of course, like any human being, they are not without complications.
As such, it aims to present a balanced and honest narrative, celebrating the fathers who are getting it right.
“The artistic treatment creates an empathetic space that has the potential to lead audiences to a place of honest conversations about healing the father wound, reconciling broken families and inspiring a new generation of fathers to break an all too familiar destructive cycle,” the statement read.
Homann added: “Starting with the personal narratives of the actors and dancers involved, ‘Father & I’ weaves stories of absence and presence, identity, inherited roles, support, and notions of masculinity.
“Each artist shares their experiences, highlighting the challenges of these bonds - the joys, the struggles, and the fatherly moments that define them.
“These heartfelt stories invite the audience to reflect on their own relationships with their fathers, sparking dialogue about love, belonging, the act of providing and the deep yearning for connection.”
Where: John Kani, Market Theatre.
When: November 27 until December 1 at 7pm.
Cost: Tickets cost between R150 and R200 and can be purchased through Webtickets.
Scars of a Woman
Written a directed by the award-winning Julian Seleke Mokoto, this powerful production homes in on gender-based violence.
The poignant script unpacks how nobody hides pain better than a woman trying to keep her family whole.
It reveals how life will challenge us every day and, while you may feel defeated on some days, there is an unwavering resilience.
It’s about always believing in your strength.
Seleke Mokoto masterfully unpacks all the nuances of an abused woman, including maintaining the façade that all is well through her smile even though it is far removed from the truth.
Where: Soweto Theatre.
When: November 27 - 30 at 8pm.
Tickets: R100 via Webtickets. No under-13s allowed.