With thanks to Pieter Toerien Productions, we are giving away 5 double tickets to the 20:00 performance of Lenny, Andrew, Steve and Me on Friday, 13 September 2019 at the Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre.

Pieter Toerien presents Jonathan Roxmouth in Lenny, Andrew, Steve and Me – an evening celebrating the music and lyrics of theatre titans Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story, On the Town, Candide, Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, and Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Company. 

Lenny, Andrew, Steve and Me Competition is now closed:

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on 06 September 2019.
2. Tickets are only valid for the specified dates and performance times.
3. Seat allocations are up to the discretion of the promoters.
4. Tickets may not be upgraded, or exchanged for cash, or for alternate performances.
5. The prize comprises of two tickets per prize winner.
6. No-Shows will not receive replacement tickets.
7. By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions.
8. Prizes does not include accommodation and / or travel to and from the event.
9. Winners will be notified by mail.
10. One Entry per Email Address will be entered into the draw.

The post Win Tickets to Lenny, Andrew, Steve and Me appeared first on Stage and Screen.

For the first time since his sold-out concert series at the Teatro at Montecasino a year ago, one of South Africa’s favourite leading men is to return to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre for a very limited time between seasons behind the mask as the title character in the international tour of The Phantom of the Opera.

Pieter Toerien presents Jonathan Roxmouth in Lenny, Andrew, Steve and Me – an evening celebrating the music and lyrics of theatre titans Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story, On the Town, Candide, Andrew Lloyd Webber, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, and Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Company. 

This one of a kind show takes the audience through the elements of what makes the ‘perfect musical’ – something all three composers have successfully contributed to and refined through their work musically and structurally. Using nothing but a bare stage, a microphone and a red handkerchief, Jonathan will sing all the favourite hits the audience expects as well as some surprises! Linked with his trademark tongue-in-cheek humour and style, this is a homecoming you won’t want to miss out on.

Jonathan is accompanied by Rowan Bakker and the production is lit by Tina Le Roux.

Lenny, Andrew, Steve and Me

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

Friday 13 September – Sunday 6 October

Wednesdays – Fridays at 8pm,

Saturdays at 3pm & 8pm,

Sundays at 2:30pm & 6pm

Tickets: R120, R180, R220, R260

Computicket & Theatre Box Office (011) 511 1818

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Pieter Toerien is proud to present to thee, they Abrahamse and Meyer production of thou Shakespeare’s R&J.

Joe Calarco’s award-winning Shakespeare’s R&J re-imagines Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers as two adolescent schoolboys in a Catholic boarding school during the 1950s. Their love for one another becomes the ultimate forbidden love in an austere, repressive all male milieu.

Four pupils discover an illicit copy of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and start acting it out in their dormitory late one night. Perceptions and understandings are turned upside down as the fun of play acting turns serious and the words and meanings begin to hit home and universal truths emerge.

Shakespeare’s R&J was first presented by Expanded Arts Inc. New York in September 1997. It then opened at the John Houseman Theatre, New York in March 1998 where it ran for over a year (385 performances) making it the longest running version of Romeo and Juliet in New York.

Calarco subsequently staged the play in Chicago, Washington D.C, Japan and on London’s West End. Other productions have been staged with great success across the United Stated, Europe and Australia. The South African première was presented by Abrahamse & Meyer Productions at the 2011 National Arts Festival, Grahamstown.

The amazing cast consist of Matthew Baldwin, Dean Balie, Jeremy Richard and Tailyn Ramsamy, with Abrahamse as directing.  The Catholic Consultancy was under consultation of brother Michael Burke.

Shakespeare’s R&J

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

23 August – 8 September

Tickets @ Theatre Box Office (011) 511 1818 and Computicket

The post Shakespeare’s R&J appeared first on Stage and Screen.

From the producers of the award-winning Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Rock of Ages, VR Theatrical is proud to present their latest local offering, The Dead Tinder Society. 

https://www.facebook.com/VRTheatrical/videos/380943879256657/

In a story of love, loss and sex on the N1, The Dead Tinder Society grapples with finding the poetry in the pandemonium of seeking your significant other.

Currently running at the Pieter Toerien Studio Theatre at Montecasino, this original script is set to catapult audiences into the hilarious, but oh-so-familiar head-over-heels world of online dating from the 26^th of July to the 25^th of August.

Naledi nominated and renowned theatre maker Ashleigh Harvey wields the pen in this bittersweet and moving comedy about the ‘ups and downs’ of dating in a world ruled by screens and cheesy pick-up-lines.

Meet Jody Green, a 36-year-old recently divorced mother of two.  With the help of her best friend Ray, she signs up to Tinder (the infamous mobile dating app) in an attempt to put her shattered love life back together again.

Daring to go on dates with a wide range of colourful characters, to put it politely, Jody bites off more than she can chew as she hurtles down the path of self-discovery.

The production will be directed by Lesedi Job who is no stranger to crafting original South African plays.   The production will star Sharon Spiegel-Wagner and Mpho Osei-Tutu in the leading roles.

Harvey’s witty tale of Tinder and its tendencies is honest, unforgiving and reflective of a society hell-bent on appearance and sexual desire.  And underneath all the hilarity beats a beautiful and fragile heart – a heart like yours and mine.

A must-see for all who have ever dated.

The Dead Tinder Society

Tickets from R130 can be booked at Computicket

Age restriction: PG (Contains colourful language and adult themes)

Dates:  26 July – 25 August

Venue:  Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Studio Theatre

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With thanks to Pieter Toerien Productions, we are giving away 10 sets of tickets to Equus, currently running at the Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre.

When teenager Alan Strang’s pathological fascination leads him to brutally blind six horses in a Hampshire stable, psychiatrist Dr. Martin Dysart is tasked with uncovering the motive behind the boy’s violent act. As Dysart delves into Alan’s world of twisted spirituality, passion and sexuality, he begins to question his own sanity and motivations in a world driven by reckless consumerism.

Equus Competition is now closed.

Please Note:

1. This competition Closes on Friday, 19 May 2019.
2. Tickets are only valid for the specified dates and performance times.
3. Seat allocations are up to the discretion of the promoters.
4. Tickets may not be upgraded, or exchanged for cash, or for alternate performances.
5. The prize comprises of two tickets per prize winner.
6. No-Shows will not receive replacement tickets.
7. By entering this competition, the participant agrees to the terms and conditions.
8. Prizes does not include accommodation and / or travel to and from the event.
9. Winners will be notified by mail.
10. One Entry per Email Address will be entered into the draw

The post Win Tickets to Equus appeared first on Stage and Screen.

by Louw Mulder

During the last 12 odd years, I have written ample reviews about entertaining theatre shows that effortlessly tell the story, requiring no effort from the patron to understand the subject matter. But this is certainly not the case with Peter Shaffer’s Equus, which I saw this weekend at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre. This play is higher grade, and I was as excited as one would be when experiencing something you never have before.

Equus admittedly turned out to be the best non-musical stage production I have ever experienced. During this tumultuous journey of two acts, I was offended, confused AF, relieved, I felt compassion, anger, even aroused to some degree, which in fact, for lack of a more appropriate term, is a mind-fuck happening right in front of your eyes. I know this description may raise some eyebrows, but not if you were there, realising the powerful grip a production like this can have on your love for Theatre-Magic.

Equus is a psychological thriller, written in 1973. It once more made theatrical headlines in 2007 when it was brought back to the stage in the West End, with Daniel Radcliff, as the young lead. Even though I went into the theatre blind, and totally unaware of the story, nor the depth of the script, I was anxious to see it. For a South African production to go all out, you knew it had to be good, with the full nudity being a huge hype around this play, amongst many other things.

I make no secret about the fact that I am a theatre enthusiast and not an educated theatre expert at all. So during the first act, the degree of the English text, combined with the pace of the story being told, caught up with me as an Afrikaans speaking person. The story, dialogue and actual acting out of the various subjects, were in its own right very overwhelming, so much so that in my attempt to follow the plot, some disconcerting inferences were made, like hints of bestiality, even blasphemy, which is a personal no-go for me. These inferences of mine proved to be wrong.

Being open minded, my friend and I took some time during the interval to quickly read up on Equus. Since English is my second language, I knew there was room for error in my initial understanding of the text. This overview of what the essence of Equus is, shed some light on the play itself, making it much easier for me to enjoy and thrill with the rest of the theatre during act two.

For me, what makes this production by Pieter Toerien, as directed by Fred Abrahamse, the success it deserves to be, is the spot-on casting of its stars. I already mentioned the full-on nudity scenes Equus contains. Having seen several types of nudity acts on stage before, nothing compared to the ones I had experienced during Equus. With the psychological thrills and the very intense nature of the various subjects, I was completely astonished, by the power of theatre again, taking me captive to put me right there where the story cuts to the bone.

Sven Ruygrok plays the role of 17-year old Alan Strang, clearly challenged by certain psychological issues. The climax of the story, so to speak, unfolds during act two, when Strang, totally nude, is seduced by Jill, also completely undressed, which culminated into an on-stage simulated sex scene. In my humble opinion, Ruygrok here reintroduced himself this time around, as an artist, driven by the passion, dedication and commitment of a true stage professional.

I am fully aware that my awe of Ruygrok’s performance may seem exaggerated, but allow me to elaborate. For me, even the thought of being completely naked in front of a full theatre during an opening performance, is something daunting, audacious and typically not within an actor’s comfort zone on stage. The thing I noticed, which was clearly evident and extremely powerful for me, was that Ruygrok was completely in-character. Ruygrok fully surrendered himself to his role, being confronted by all the psychological elements. I experienced his portrayal of a spellbinding emotional breakdown and full-on loss of control, while being totally naked, as the true art form it is supposed to be. I sat there cold, without words, biting on a finger, trying to process the scenes in front of me.

I want to even further and say that Ruygrok demonstrated in true class, what it really means to portray a character no matter the intensity thereof – in this case referring especially to a scene in total nudity, forcing an overwhelming noise of a full theatre’s complete silence. His nudity was just another costume in the story of his character, in pursuit of delivering the perfect conclusion of the production’s riddle. I was captured by his performance in such a way, I had forgotten he was even naked…

It would however be unfair for me to refrain from mentioning the performance of Monique Basson as the Delilah of the storyline, Jill, whose equally naked performance brought the necessary support to Ruygrok’s role, to instill the sense of reality and power of that scene. But who better to affirm support for this daring role of Alan Strang, than world class South African Veteran Stage great, Graham Hopkins. Hopkins plays the psychiatrist, entrusted to get answers from the disturbed boy, showing subtle hints of being somewhat disturbed himself.

For me there was just a chemistry that sparked between Hopkins and Ruygrok, which made it work. Their characters were in constant conflict, compromising tussles and even though some may argue that there was a notable sense of discomfort between these two, it was exactly that, which caused their interacting roles to be as mesmerizing as it was.

Maggie Gericke, Andrew Roux, Marc Goldberg, Cassandra-Tendai Mapanda and Len-Barry Simons completed the rest of the cast, acting as various supporting characters, but mainly as the life within, and bodies of the horses, very incremental to the plot of the story. Initially, I thought that the well-toned bodies, slim, yet sexy sleek physiques of these actors, were used to create, or even emphasize the idea of a sexy theatre play, with the nude sex scene everyone knew was coming. When you get to the bottom of what is indeed happening, you realize that these sex-appealing bodies, and their intimate, luscious interactions with the disturbed young Alan, were the actual core cause, responsible for the psychological riddle that unfolds during Equus.

At the end, Equus, the powerful, yet deep-cutting play, is a stage production, which was made just more spectacular with Marcel Meyer, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder and Marc Goldberg on Abrahamse’s creative team. Effects, surrounding the fixed set of a stable for the six horses, included effective lighting design, which gave the theatregoer just that additional push into the intended direction to where it should go. Not to mention how the calculated positioning of certain lighting effects added goosebumps to clever choreography of Alan riding his horse, at the end of act one.

With the lights, smoke, simple props and sexy artists, came the masks of horses’ faces, which I think could not have been more mesmeric. Designed in such a way, even the slightest movements and tilting of their faces, could non-verbally tell a tale of its own… No wonder, young Alan became obsessed, psychologically enslaved, and in a way corrupted by these creatures, completely creating some sense of empathy with the audience, for the twisted, and also some scary viewpoints, Alan made known throughout his consultations with Dr. Martin Dysart.

Equus is a theatre play, but in its real definition, a pure piece of art, which means it will by some not be comprehended as intended, appreciated as justified, or even be praised as the magical piece of theatre I got to experience. With so many elements, magical theatre techniques, a story that will leave you cold, and yes, the naked sex scene that turned into the most powerful emotional breakdown you will ever see on a stage, the fact is that you will have to go judge the success of this production, for yourself.

Please be reminded that this Production, is not for the feint hearted and I think that if you are an old-school conservative sceptic, rather stay away, than to be scarred for life.

I have added the link to the Official Synopsis of Equus below, if you feel the need to be informed about this masterpiece, in order for you to enjoy all the theatrical elements of this play, without the unnecessary confusion… lol, like I was confronted with.

Equus will run in Montecasino until 26 May 2019.

[button color=”gray” size=”medium” link=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equus_(play)#Plot_summary” target=”blank” ]Click here for the Synopsis of Equus[/button]

This Review was edited by Genevieve Viera

The post Equus appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Equus stars Graham Hopkins as psychiatrist Dr Martin Dysart and Sven Ruygrok as 17-year-old Alan Strang – a stable boy who has been arrested for blinding six horses with a metal spike.

With its controversial nude scene and simulated sex act, Equus still causes quite a stir amongst theatre goers wherever it is performed around the world. Most recent being a production starring Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe as Alan Strang. Pieter Toerien’s 1985 highly-acclaimed production of Equus at the Alhambra Theatre introduced a young and talented Jeremy Crutchley to an adoring South African public. The role of Dysart has also been played by a glowing list of stars over the years including Anthony Hopkins and Leonard Nimoy.

This gripping new production is directed by Fred Abrahamse.  Abrahamse’s long-time collaborators, Marcel Meyer and Charl-Johan Lingenfelder join the creative team as designer and composer respectively, while celebrated choreographer Marc Goldberg creates specialised movement and choreography for this exciting production.

The cast, along with Graham and Sven, includes Monique Basson, Maggie Gericke, Andrew Roux, Marc Goldberg, Cassandra-Tendai Mapanda and Len-Barry Simons.

When teenager Alan Strang’s pathological fascination leads him to brutally blind six horses in a Hampshire stable, psychiatrist Dr. Martin Dysart is tasked with uncovering the motive behind the boy’s violent act. As Dysart delves into Alan’s world of twisted spirituality, passion and sexuality, he begins to question his own sanity and motivations in a world driven by reckless consumerism.

Equus is a MUST SEE!

Equus

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre

26 April – 26 May 2019

Wednesdays – Fridays @ 8pm,

Saturdays @ 4pm & 8pm,

Sundays @ 2:30pm & 6pm

Tickets: R100, R150, R200 & R240 at theatre Box Office (011) 511 1818 and at Computicket.com

The post Equus appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Pieter-Dirk Uys’ newest show, When in doubt say darling, sold out as it opened at the Fugard Theatre on 8 August, creating an unprecedented demand for tickets. With a growing waiting list for the current season that ends on Saturday 25 August 2018, the Fugard Theatre has now opened bookings for a return season in November 2018.

At a time when a casual greeting or embrace can be seen as racist or harassment, the advice is simple: when in doubt say ‘darling’. If you can’t remember their names, just say ‘darling’. If you get lost along the road to somewhere, simply ask for Darling. He did it, and now Pieter-Dirk Uys also lives in Darling.

In this production, Pieter-Dirk Uys sorts out 40 years of distress, disguise and disgust: from apartheid to tripartite, from amandla to Nkandla. Wigs, glasses, wagging fingers, toyi-toyis, red berets, trump cards of madness, icons and aikonas. From Bezuidenhouts, Raubenheimers and Ramaphosas to Altzheimers. Sometimes politics repeats itself, not only taking history and turning it into farce, but taking farce and turning into the fake news which is now called entertainment.

Join Pieter-Dirk Uys and many darlings on an exciting walk to the edge of the next cliff, when the end of the world seems nigh. It used to be called a sunset. Here’s a secret: the sun will also rise tomorrow, darling.

When in doubt say darling runs from 27 November 2018 to 15 December 2018 at the Fugard Studio Theatre with performances Tuesday to Friday at 8pm and Saturday at 4pm and 8pm. Booking is through the Fugard Theatre box office on 0214614554 or directly through the Fugard Theatre website on www.thefugard.com.

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2018 is Rocco’s year of the emerald!

In 2018 popular pianist Rocco de Villiers celebrates 20 years of blood, sweat, tears and survival as a piano player in South Africa. The 20^thanniversary gemstone is the emerald. As part of his celebration Rocco will be wearing green for the entire year.

In 1998 he released his first solo instrumental album, Screen Test.  14 Studio albums later, this platinum recording artist has built up a large fan base. As part of his greenest year Rocco will release a brand-new album with all original tracks. The album is fittingly titled Wees Net Jouself/Just Be Yourself. A brand-new show with the same title will play at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre from 3 -14 October. This show also marks Rocco’s tenth show and year with Pieter Toerien Productions.

Says Rocco, “After 20 years of survival and turning 50, I can and want to Just Be Myself.” Just be your self’s green colour speaks of self-acceptance, a green world, growth, a new era, love lost, love found, laughing, crying – and ultimately living and loving life, one’s job and one’s calling.

 Just Be Yourself is a show not to be missed.

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Die bekroonde en uiters begaafde pianis, Rocco de Villiers, is terug met ’n splinternuwe popalbum, wat nie net vir die eerste keer spog met ’n Afrikaanse titel nie, maar ook beloof om luisteraars se voete na die dansvloer te lok.

Kortbroek, langkouse is die musikant se veertiende instrumentale album en bou voort op die unieke klavierstyl, eiesoortige komposisies en verwerkings waarvoor hy bekendheid verwerf het. Die nuwe vrystelling spog met tien splinternuwe oorspronklike werke, uit sy eie pen, asook vier van sy gewildste treffers vanaf vorige albums, wat Kla 2 Kla 3 Kla 4, Anna Aeroplane, Roccobilly en Escape from the Ordinary Life insluit. Die titelsnit van die album kan ook reeds op radiostasies landswyd gehoor word en ‘n musiekvideo word eersdaags bekendgestel!

Met titels soos Goeie Gevoel, Vanaand Kan Ek Dans, Reën Kan Jy Nie Koop Nie en Nooit Te Laat (om lief te hê), is dit duidelik dat dié nuwe album jou op ’n opwindende lewensreis gaan neem, wat musiekliefhebbers gaan laat vrolik voel, maar ook soms diep sal laat dink.

Oor die jare, is hierdie talentvolle musikant se werk bekroon met verskeie pryse, waaronder SAMA-, Huisgenoot Tempo-, Ghoema-, Vonk- en Cape Theatre-toekennings, en sy geestelike album, Beautiful Beautiful Hymns, wat in 2015 uitgereik is, het ook goue verkoopstatus bereik.

Buiten vir verskeie verhoogproduksies, kan Rocco ook met twee Mengeldrankie-boeke, ’n lewendige DVD-opname en ’n boek met klavierbladmusiek spog. Hy was ook betrokke by die klankbaan van die Amerikaanse fliek, Brewsie & Willie, het temamusiek geskryf vir nege televisiereekse, is die vervaardiger van twee televisiereekse en dokumentêre programme vir M-Net oor die geskiedenis van musiek en het sy lyf ook aanbieder gehou vir drie kykNET-programme, Kook en Klavier, Rocco en Klop die Klawers. Vanaf 28 Junie, is hy ook te sien op SABC 2 as gasaanbieder van die tweede reeks van die speletjiesprogram, Beter Assie Bure.

Kortbroek, langkouse word op 13 Julie 2018 vrygestel en bewys net weereens hoekom hierdie sjarmante en talentvolle man van dag een af musiekharte kom verower het. Die moderne, emosiebelaaide manier waarop hy elke snit benader, is besonders en sal aanklank vind by gehore van alle ouderdomme.

SNITTE OP DIE ALBUM

1. Goeie Gevoel
2. Kortbroek, Langkouse
3. Wat om te dra agter op ’n bakkie
4. Klein dorpie, GROOT drome
5. Vanaand kan ek dans
6. Escape from the Ordinary Life
7. Reën kan jy nie koop nie
8. Tango for 2 Saints
9. Nooit te laat (om lief te hê)
10. Blom
11. Wees net Jouself

Bonussnitte:

12. Kla-2 Kla-3 Kla-4
13. Anna Aeroplane
14. Roccobilly

Koop die album hier:  https://roccodevilliers.lnk.to/KortbroekLangkouse

The post Rocco de Villiers: Kortbroek, Langkouse appeared first on Stage and Screen.