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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The CoLab Network is proud to announce the next exciting show being produced under its banner! Gone Too Soon will be on stage at The Lyric at Gold Reef City for two shows only on Saturday 20 October at 20h00 and Sunday 21 October at 14h00.

Gone Too Soon is a fabulous tribute to the music legends we all loved, who died way before their time, but live on through their timeless music. The show will delight audiences old and young as they celebrate the powerhouse singers that became legends through their music over the past few decades.

Be transported on an unforgettable journey of pure nostalgia and heart-warming moments as homage is paid to a diverse selection of some of the greats, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Freddie Mercury, Luther Vandross, George Michael, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Prince, Amy Winehouse, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, John Lennon and more.

South African artists will also be featured in the show, including Brenda Fassie and Mandoza.

While the show pays homage to these music icons who have left us too soon, the focus will be strongly on the uplifting atmosphere of inspiration that they continue to live on through their music, the memories they still evoke in all of us, as well as the impact that so many of them have made on the industry and world as a whole.

Three of South Africa’s most talented vocalists, Timothy Moloi, Joseph Clark and Mariechan will set the stage alight as they perform the instantly recognisable hits.

An exciting collaboration is the inclusion of the superb Johannesburg Youth Orchestra conducted by Eddie Clayton, celebrating their 20th Anniversary, who join the vocalists on stage to evoke over 2 hours of unforgettable memories.

Gone Too Soon is the ideal concert experience for old and young to celebrate in the magic of the legacies these music icons left behind and the indelible mark they left on all of us.

Gone Too Soon

The Lyric at Gold Reef City

20 October at 20:00

21 October at 14:

Tickets range from R150 – R280.

Bookings are through www.goldreefcity.co.za or Computicket or by calling The Lyric Theatre Box Office on 011 248 5000.

Discounts for senior citizens, students and scholars apply.

Tsogo Sun Rewards cardholders enjoy instant savings: 10% (Gold); 15% (Platinum); 20% (Black).

For group bookings of 10 or more, please contact the theatre directly on 011 248 5000.

Group Bookings of 50 seats or more qualify for a 15% discount if booked directly with The Lyric Theatre Box Office on 011 248 5000.

For these various discounts, contact the Gold Reef City Box Office for more information on 011 248 5000 or email goldreef.boxoffice@tsogosun.com

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By Louw Mulder

For a person not very familiar with the music of 73 year old Sixto Rodriguez, I was quite pleased to enjoy a well-entertaining experience at the first Live Show of this Rock and Blues artist, at the Ticket-Pro Dome.

The Dome was at full capacity and the show was exactly what you’d come to expect from Big Concerts over the years. I was amazed by the loud welcoming this Singer-Songwriter from Detroit, Michigan received, when the lights of the packed venue went out.

Backed by only a lead guitar, bass guitar and a set of drums, Rodrigues took the stage with his acoustic guitar, and with each song, more and more of the tunes became familiar. With a little disbelieve in myself, I was surprised by how well-known Rodriguez’s music is to his South African Audience.

His repertoire had songs like Crucify your mind, I’ll Slip Away, I Think of You and Only a Good Conversation.

The crowd-favourites was without a doubt laudable, when the guitar intro started. He also sang the title track of his first album released in 1970, Cold Fact, and a huge hit for Rodrigues from the same album, I wonder.

Young and old… Ok, young and also very old concert-goers were on their feet, as the sounds of probably his signature song, Sugerman, started to fill the dome. Movie lovers will associate this song with the 2012 Movie, Searching for Sugerman, which in itself won the Oscar for the Best Documentary Feature in 2013. Fans of South African Music will also remember this song, as covered in 1997 by Just Jinger, when the SA Rock industry took to full flight. The list of international acclaims inspired by Rodrigues, is endless.

To add to the variation of his show, Rodrigues surprised the audience with his very own cover versions of Elvis Presley’s Blue Suede Shoes, as well as a very emotional version of Elton John’s Your Song. A true crowd-pleaser was when he thanked the audience in Afrikaans, saying “Baie Dankie”.

The highlight for me personally, and probably the defining moment in creating respect for Rodrigues, was when he had to stop in the middle of a song, because of his guitar being out of tune. “I have to tune my guitar, because I want to give you a great song”.

This was truly an spectacular evening, and I am glad to have experienced Rodriguez, while I still could…

 Tour Dates:

Johannesburg: 29th January 2016 at the Ticketpro Dome

Durban:  31st January 2016 at the ICC Durban Arena

Port Elizabeth: 3rd February 2016 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Outer Fields

Cape Town: 5th and 6th February 2016 at the Grand Arena, GrandWest

Presented by Jacaranda FM, Algoa FM, Bok Radio and Kyknet. Another Big Concerts Experience.

The post Review: Rodriguez appeared first on Stage and Screen.

A Salute to the King! 

After the tremendously successful staging of Queen At The Ballet at Joburg Theatre in March/April 2014, Bovim Ballet will soon be returning to Johannesburg to provide audiences with more thrill-a-minute performances!

Sean Bovim’s latest Rock-‘n-Roll Ballet, Private Presley – A Salute to the King, features over 30 of Elvis Presley’s hit songs including Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, Blue Suede Shoes, A Little Less Conversation, Hound Dog and many more foot stomping, unforgettable hits.

Set to some of his most famous songs using the original recordings, Private Presley portrays memorable and key moments from one of Rock ‘n Roll’s greatest legends and follows the gigantic rise of his jam-packed life.

You can look forward to a kaleidoscope of timeless classics set to hip-swaying choreography and you’ll leave the theatre with nostalgic memories and a smile on your face after having been thoroughly entertained by Bovim Ballet and let’s not forget, Elvis Presley.

Private Presley – A Salute to the King is brought to you by Bovim Ballet in association with The CoLab Network.

Here are some press quotes from the 2 highly successful seasons held in Cape Town:

• “Technically perfect and artistically delightful” – Fanbase Magazine
• “Innovative and entertaining” – Dance Directory
• “The show is a hit…. gripping performances” – City Press
• “Visually Striking” – Cape Argus
• “All hail this salute to the king” – Cape Times

Private Presley

Performances run from Wednesdays to Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm, Sundays at 3pm.

Ticket prices range from R150 – R320. Bookings can be done online at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670.

For group bookings of 10 or more tickets, contact the Theatre’s ticketing office on (011) 877 6815 / 6853

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