The famous Protea Hotel by Marriott Johannesburg Balalaika Sandton celebrates its 70^th Birthday this year. It was the only hotel seventy years ago in Sandton and the original venue that hosted live entertainment fifty years ago has now created a Pop-Up Theatre called Live at the Balalaika.

This Pop-Up Theatre, has a prime location in the hub of the Sandton Precinct and is opposite the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Live at the Balalaika has been refurbished and has seating for 180 people. It is an ideal Pop-Up Theatre space as actors and musicians can perform in a non-intimidating space. Sound, lighting and a TV screen have been installed to enhance the experience that audiences will receive. The aim of this Pop-Up Theatre is to accommodate people in the myriads of hotels in the Sandton precinct who have nothing to do during the week and/or weekends.

There are numerous bars in the hotel and close to the Pop-Up Theatre is the famous Bull Run restaurant with some of the best steaks in Johannesburg. After the show patrons can have a night cap at the Dollar Bar.

Live at the Balalaika will open on 6 March and shows will be on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm and a Sunday matinee at 3pm.

Defending the Caveman – Tim Plewman (8 – 29 March)

Come and have a last laugh with Legendary actor Tim Plewman in his first farewell season.

The only original actor of Defending the Caveman is back from standing ovations in Perth and Las Vegas and is now at the Pop-Up The atre in The Balalaika Hotel.

Caveman still holds the record as the longest running non-musical comedy of all time on Broadway. What more can be said about this wonderful show that so humorously exposes the hunter and gatherer in us all and has played to over a million people?

Considered one of South Africa’s best solo comedies, Defending the Caveman explores the complexities of romance and relationships with truthful hilarity. Through his Caveman, Plewman ensures his audiences spend the show in stitches but walk away with something to think about.

This new production has been updated to reflect today’s world of tweeting, selfies and Facebook but still consists of the core comedy about why men and women see the world so differently. The show is the longest running solo play in Broadway history and has been seen in over 40 countries.

Defending the Caveman opens on 8 – 29 March 2019 and has shows Friday, Saturday and a Sunday matinee throughout March excluding 31 March.

Viva Las Vegas – The Ultimate Tribute Show (6 -31 March)

Shaky Russell is one of today’s top Elvis Presley / fifties and sixties tribute performers with a style and energy that resonates that of the King himself. Viva Las Vegas starring Shaky Russell and a star studded cast, live at the Balalaika Hotel Sandton.

Viva Las Vegas is a show that will keep audience members on the edge of their seats with Shaky’s array of custom-made costumes and energetic performance. With his incredible vocal range and resemblance, Shaky Russell and a star studded cast will perform more than 20 of Elvis’ greatest hits. Experience the songs, the moves and the voice that created a worldwide phenomenon that had never been seen before.

The show captures the onstage excitement of Elvis’ greatest performances and also pays tribute to other legends including Buddy Holly, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, The Beatles & more.

An Elvis award-winning performer, he previously wowed audiences in Memphis USA (home of the real Elvis) making Shaky Russell one of today’s supreme Elvis Presley Performers. Shaky is accompanied on stage by an amazing group of professionals including a live rocking band and cast.

Live at the Balalaika!

Viva Las Vegas opens on 6 March and runs on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 8pm and Saturday 30 March at 8pm and a matinee on 31 March at 3pm.

Tickets:

Tickets can be bought through Computicket (011) 4840204 or from the reception at the Balalaika Protea Hotel and at the door. Call The Balalaika Protea Hotel on (011) 322 5000. 

Tickets are priced at R195 for the month of March.

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With a reputation for beating Broadway and South African records and getting the hunter-gatherer in all South Africans laughing, it isn’t surprising that Defending the Caveman is back in Johannesburg, by popular demand and being performed in both English and Afrikaans (Die Grotman). After a five-year hiatus Tim Plewman and Hannes Muller bring a fully updated and upgraded caveman, or grotman, to Parker’s Comedy and Jive @ Monte Casino and to Mardi Gras at Carnival City respectively.

Penned by Rob Bekker, Defending the Caveman holds the record for the longest running solo non-musical comedy performed on Broadway and is considered one of South Africa’s longest running and most successful solo comedies. Plewman adapted the script for South African audiences and won the Vita Award for Best Comedy Actor in the role.  One of South Africa’s most sought after actors, Plewman has donned the caveman skins for over 1600 shows, He recently returned from Las Vegas where he performed Defending the Caveman to standing ovations. He will be taking the show to Perth, Australia later in the year.

With an equal dose of quick wit and insightful humour, Muller has brought Koos Kombuis’ adapted and translated Die Grotman to Afrikaans audiences across the country. Muller has over 20 years theatre experience and has received a number of best actor awards for his work. He is currently the Head Director for Getroud met Rugby, a daily drama on Kyknet.

Plewman and Muller, both award-winning actors, directors and producers, have a special comedic affinity for the South African audience and know just which buttons to push, especially when it comes to dueling differences between men and women.

Defending the Caveman and Die Grotman explore, expose and poke fun at the complexities of romance, relationships and what’s really happening in the other sex’s head. The ensuing hilarity is a welcome dose of much needed laughter, and leaves audiences with a new appreciation for the opposite sex. They might not win the battle of the sexes, but their performances bring some tongue-in-cheek understanding to the contest.

“After years of hearing that all men are assholes, the Caveman once again stands up to be counted. And being a troglodyte, standing upright is not an easy thing to do,” says Plewman, with noted affection for what has become one of his signature roles.

Defending the Caveman is showing at Parker’s Comedy and Jive @ Monte Casino on Sundays at 15:30 until 27 August 2017. Tickets are R144 or R244 for dinner and the show. Tickets can be bought at Computicket.

The post Defending the Caveman appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Considered one of South Africa’s best solo comedies, Defending the Caveman explores the complexities of romance and relationships with truthful hilarity. Through his Caveman, Plewman ensures his audience spend the show in stiches but walk away with something to think about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAB4vmuNRNU

Plewman has an uncanny knack for capturing his audience, and whether you choose to take a partner, friend, family member or colleague along to see the show, you will not regret spending the evening with one of Msanzi’s most revered comedians.

Testament to this is the fact that his audiences keep coming back “I am going to bring my wife here to see it,” said Geoffrey Matenji from SAfm radio with tears rolling down his cheeks from laughter. And he is not alone on this.

As the country’s longest-running and most successful solo comedy, this tongue-and-cheek gem will form part of Parker’s Comedy and Jive at Monte Casino, with Sunday matinee shows during November and December, and then at the Victory Theatre stage every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening over December.

The December run of Defending

the Caveman offers an excellent year-end function option; enjoy a three-course meal and the show at The Victory Theatre to celebrate and say goodbye to 2016. Alternatively, take your friends or family out for a night of delicious food and deep belly laughs.

Defending the Caveman will show at Monte Casino as part of Parkers Comedy and Jive every Sunday at 3.30pm until 18 December.

It will then go on to run at The Victory Theatre every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm from 30 November till 31 December.

All Tickets available at Computicket.

The post Defending the Caveman appeared first on Stage and Screen.