From the writer of the West End smash hit comedy Bad Jews, which enjoyed sold out runs in Johannesburg and Cape Town, comes a Fugard Theatre production of Joshua Harmon’s Broadway success Significant Other.

Eric Abraham presents a Fugard Theatre production and South African premiere of Significant Other. The play opens on 30 May in the Fugard Theatre and is directed by the Fugard Theatre’s resident director Greg Karvellas (The Road to Mecca, Shakespeare in Love, The Father, Clybourne Park, Bad Jews, CHAMP).

Jordan Berman is desperately looking for Mr Right… but he is getting it all wrong.

The New York Times hailed Significant Other as one of its Top Ten Productions of 2015, with critic Charles Isherwood commenting ‘an absolutely wonderful new play. Entirely delightful, richly funny and heart-stirring‘.

Significant Other follows Jordan and his three closest friends as they navigate love, friendship and New York in their twenty-something years. Jordan is single, and finding Mr. Right is much easier said than done. While surrounding himself with his close group of girlfriends, it comes to pass that the only thing harder than looking for love is supporting the loved ones around him as they pair off and embark on their journey of marriage.

The all South African cast features Gabriel Meltz as Jordan, Dominique Maher as Kiki, Lesoko Seabe as Vanessa, Lucy Tops as Laura, Michèle Maxwell  as Helene with Roberto Kyle and Ryan de Villiers completing the line-up.

Set Design and Lighting Design is by Wolf Britz, Costume Design by Widaad Albertus and the music direction is by the Fugard Theatre’s Resident Musical Director Charl-Johan Lingenfelder.

Tickets from R140 – R250 can be booked through the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554 or through the Fugard Theatre’s website at www.thefugard.com.

Photo: Daniel Rutland Manners

The post Significant Other appeared first on Stage and Screen.

In Episode 1 wil Naomi Fortuin by haar veiligheidswag-seun Skalkie weet: “Wat vir ‘n ding is ‘n knapsekêrel?” En hy antwoord: “Dis ’n guard wat aan sy mission klou soos mis aan ‘n wolkombers.”

Bekroonde skrywer, Paul C. Venter en regisseur en vervaardiger, Human Stark, snoer weer kragte saam na die sukses van Vlug na Egipte en Terug na Egipte met nog ‘n eg SuidAfrikaanse storie. Knapsekêrels sal vanaf Dinsdag, 9 Januarie 2018 op kykNET uitgesaai word en beloof om ‘n aangrypende reeks te wees met kinkels-in-die-kabel intrige in 13 aksiebelaaide, uurlange weeklikse episodes.

Knapsekêrels handel oor vier huisgesinne, Die Bekkers, Zimmermans, Davidse en Fortuin. Hierdie huishoudings leer mekaar noodgedwonge beter ken wanneer ‘n lid van elke gesin betrokke raak by ‘n jaagtog om oorlewing en ‘n bestaansreg in die Johannesburg van vandag. Skalkie se aanstelling by die Zimmermans word gou ‘n baie ingewikkelder werksopdrag as wat hy aanvanklik vermoed het, veral omdat Baby Tjoklits en Chilly ander idees het oor hoe die veiligheidsaspek by die onderskeie rykmanshuise hanteer moet word.

Elke karakter stel sy eie geheime agenda voorop, en kort voor lank breek daar as ‘t ware ‘n oorlog in die kleine uit. Op die kritiese mespunt tussen dit wat reg en verkeerd is, daar waar liefde omsit in haat en waar lig en donker mekaar ontmoet, daar speel die gevaarlike skaduwêreld van Knapsekêrels hom af.

Die rolverdeling sluit in Dawid Minnaar, Christia Visser, Armand Aucamp, Odelle de Wet, Wilmien Rossouw, André Odendaal, Terrence Bridgett, Sandi Schultz, Lindsey Abrahams, Roberto Kyle, Nazli George, Schelaine Bennett, Richard Lukunku, Andrian Mazive, Marisa Drummond, Jacques Pepler, Ciske Kruger, Shareen Swart, Brendon Daniels, Eduan van Jaarsveldt, Shimmy Isaacs en Riana Alfreds.

Hier is ‘n paar lusmakers:

Episode 1

Skalkie Fortuin en Mynie Bekker se paaie kruis by Interactive Security. Al het hulle dieper drome, laat hulle huislike omstandighede hulle geen keuse as om hier hulle brood te verdien nie. Maar Mynie het dalk ‘n oplossing vir Skalkie se finansiële kwellings, want Hans Zimmerman is bekommerd oor sy dogter Addie se veiligheid. Dirk Bekker se besoek aan die dokter is nie al wat vroulief Joey te diep in die bottel laat kyk nie.

Episode 2

Tot groot ontsteltenis van Naomi, haal haar seun Skalkie en sy kollega Mynie se heldedaad die koerante. Hans Zimmerman bied Skalkie ‘n werk aan – teen ‘n prys – en ongelukkig verloop Mynie en pragtige Addie Zimmerman se eerste ontmoeting allesbehalwe goed. Dirk besin oor die dokter se aanbeveling, terwyl Hans en Adam oop kaarte met mekaar speel – besigheid is besigheid.

Episode 3

Die privaat dansklas wat Rachel Fortuin en haar vriendin Cassandra aanbied, ontaard in ‘n nagmerrie. Dinge raak net erger wanneer Skalkie betrokke raak. ‘n Brand ontstaan in die Bekker-huis, en Brenda se kêrel Samuel beraam ‘n plan om van huishoudster Naomi Fortuin ontslae te raak. Met vriendin Chantel se hulp slaag Addie daarin om haar nuwe lyfwag te ontduik, terwyl Karlien tot gevangene Koos se redding kom. Dirk deel sy vrese oor die operasie met Joey.

Episode 4

Die waarheid oor oorlede seun Karel maak Joey diep seer, en Mynie se nagtelike agtervolging van Addie en Chantel werp vrugte af. Skalkie vra Mynie se hulp met Rachel se dilemma, terwyl Brenda haar mond verbypraat oor Rachel se pa. Karlien kry ‘n geskenk wat haar dag ophelder, en Mynie konfronteer Chilly oor Skalkie se vrese. Skalkie ontdek Addie se geheim, terwyl Hans en Adam se ontmoeting by die rugbyklub in ‘n senutergende speletjie ontaard.

Episode 5

‘n Oorlog in die kleine breek uit – en nou’s dit te laat om die horlosie terug te draai! Rachel kry ‘n nare verrassing by die dansskool, terwyl Mynie geen ander keuse het as om werk te praat by die huis nie. Hans sweer wraak en beraam planne vir die toekoms, terwyl Karlien ‘n groter kopseer het as net haar voorkoms. Die raaisel oor Rachel se pa verdiep, en dan daag Baby Tjoklits by die Zimmerman-huis op.

Episode 6

Joey moet ‘n plan maak met ‘n koeël. Addie en Chantel word betrek by die broeiende oorlog tussen Hans en Adam, terwyl Rachel haar verlede vierkantig in die oë wil kyk. Niemand behalwe Baby Tjoklits is bereid om Adam te help nie – en niks of niemand gaan hom keer nie. Mynie gaan verken ‘n rykmansbuurt, en Addie kry ‘n idee oor hoe om die vete waarby haar pa betrokke is, tot ‘n einde te bring.

Episode 7

Addie word erg ontnugter wanneer Hans haar die volle verhaal vertel oor sy onderhandelings met Adam, en dis baie duidelik dat Baby Tjoklits net so slinks soos Mynie kan wees. Die Davidse is gevangenes in hulle eie huis, terwyl Brenda by ‘n prokureur aanklop om hulp met Samuel se geplak. Adam vertel vir Baby Tjoklits van Addie se idee, en Karlien beraam ‘n plan om die res van die Bekkers te beskerm.

Episode 8

Lynn en Dragon besluit om by die Zimmermans besoek af te lê wanneer Chantel se storie nie vir haar sin maak nie, en Mynie roep Hasie se hulp in. Addie is slinkser as wat sy lyk – en betrek Skalkie by haar jongste plan. Rachel en Cassandra se afspraak by die kliniek voorspel net moeilikheid, en Karlien begin haarself onmisbaar maak.

Episode 9

Lynn en Dragon doen hulle eie speurwerk om agter die kap van die byl te kom, terwyl Joey slegte nuus vir haar gesin het. Chantel soek antwoorde in die bottel, en Skalkie se kwellings word net meer. Mynie wil die ridder op die wit perd wees, terwyl een oproep die potensiaal het om die oorlog tot ‘n einde te bring. Die vergadering in die Fortuin-huis kan twee vlieë met een klap uit die weg ruim, maar Rachel se toekoms word ook in ‘n rykmansbuurt bepraat.

Episode 10

Daar word nie veel geslaap in die Zimmerman-huis nie, terwyl Domkrag en Koos ‘n plan beraam om in die Kaap uit te kom. Dragon se idee sou die raaisel kon help oplos, maar Baby Tjoklits is slimmer as wat hy lyk. Fortuin wil met Skalkie praat, terwyl Cassandra sal moet help om Rachel stil te kry. Mynie soek antwoorde by Adam.

Episode 11

Dragon en Joey laat hulle nie maklik om die bos lei nie, en Baby Tjoklits maak ‘n afspraak met Mynie. Chantel wil hartsake praat, terwyl Samuel aan die ontvangskant van Brenda se wraak beland. Naomi en Fortuin haal ou koeie uit die sloot, en Cassandra se gewete ry haar iets vreesliks. Karlien se verpligtinge as gasvrou word onderbreek deur ‘n noodoproep, terwyl Hans toenemend bekommerd raak oor Addie se veiligheid.

Episode 12

Mynie en Baby Tjoklits veg om oorlewing in die bloekombos, terwyl Fortuin aanbied om Rachel te help met haar probleme in die rykmansbuurt. Karlien probeer deurdring tot Koos, terwyl dit wil voorkom asof Joey meer sukses met Domkrag het. Ongenooide gaste by die Zimmerman-huis gaan nie wag tot ‘n hek oopgemaak word nie, en daar moet inderhaas plan gemaak word met ‘n beseerde lyfwag.

Episode 13

Lynn probeer Chilly se lewe red, terwyl Zimmerman se motor by die Bekker-huis rede is tot kommer. Dit wil voorkom asof Hans en Baby Tjoklits tot ‘n vergelyk kan kom, en ‘n verrassende ontmoeting vind plaas tydens ‘n jaagtog. Die toekoms is ‘n vreemde, dog bekende terrein vir die Bekkers, Fortuins, Davidse, en Zimmermans.

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By Jaco du Plessis

Ask every young boy what superpower he desires and the answer you will most likely get, is to fly! We all know of a young boy who can do just that, Peter Pan. This classic, originally created by author J.M. Barrie in 1904, gets a revival from Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer, just in time for the winter holidays.

I love classic theatre stories, characters that I grew up with and the magic that originates from places like Neverland. Getting to see Peter Pan was even more magical this time round, as the theatre was located inside the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, which transformed their Centre Court into Wonderland for the holidays. It is like our own fantasy world, where we can be transported to an enchanted place, where anything is possible.

After getting used to the hustle of the mall activities, the blue glow of a quiet Neverland sets the scene for the opening sequence. The stage is strangely flat, with a universe of stars painted across a canvas. Like Neverland though, things are never quite as they seem… The beautifully designed grandiose set and costumes, paired with the direction by Abrahmse and Meyer makes for a show that is a treat for not only the younger generation, but also those whom are young at heart.

The Darling children, played by Jenny Stead as Wendy, Kyle Jardine as John Darling, and Luke Tyler in the role of Michael Darling, are introduced in their home, just as their parents are about to leave for the Opera. We get our first peek of Peter, albeit his shadow, as Ms. Darling manages to trap him inside a toy trunk. Also featuring, are the talents of Bianca Flanders as the Princess Tiger-Lily, Roberto Kyle as Panther, Stuart Brown and Roland Perold as the Lost Boys.

Peter Pan, played by the dashing Grant Almirall, is no stranger to the South African stage, with credits to his name like Singin’ in the Rain and an award winning stint as Frankie Vallie in the hit, Jersey Boys. Pan makes his first grand entrance onto the stage flying into the room, accompanied by the energetic Tinkerbelle, danced by newcomer Raine Waring who, happens to be a ballerina in this adaption. This magic all around, cared for smiles on all the faces around me.

As the story goes, Peter convinces Wendy and her brothers to join him in Neverland, to entertain the boys with his stories and fulfilling Wendy’s wish to be their mother. Whisked away to Neverland we get to meet the other lost boys, the beautiful Princess Tiger-Lily and her sidekick Panther. The introductions turn to song and the whole cast is as cheerful as they can be. The scene then changes as we finally see the stage come to life with the center section opening up to reveal the Jolly Roger, its evil Captain Hook, played by Marcel Meyer and the always on-hand first mate Smee, played by Dean Balie. This brilliant use of the set almost frames Captain Hook’s mad schemes in such a way, it sets them apart from the rest of cheerful Neverland.

Here we get a short version of what happened to Hook and why he now has a hook for a hand. This part of the story wouldn’t be the same without encapsulate the threats of the crocodile that fed on Hook’s hand. This production of Peter Pan, doesn’t disappoint to produce this somewhat cuddly, yet ferocious beast.

The modern telling of this classic tail does not fail to enthrall the viewers and none more so, than the flying antics displayed by Peter Pan. Pity that the rest of the lost boys and the Darling children don’t get to share in this wonderful experience. Looking up at Almirall performing Pan’s aerial acrobatics to gymnastic perfection, makes the audience anticipate Tinkerbelle to sprinkle her magic dust upon them, to enable them to fly. The story engages the audience in ways that makes you feel as though you are part of the show in more ways than just being a casual viewer; you get to clap and make Tinkerbelle come to life, after she drinks the poison that was meant for Peter – I do believe in fairies, I do, I do!

Peter Pan runs from 1 July – 23 July. Tickets, priced at R80, may be acquired from the Centre Court Ticket box or Computicket. Unreserved seating necessitates those with young children to ensure seats are taken up early at the venue, so the little ones can get an unrestricted view of the stage. They don’t want to miss one second of this exciting story.

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Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and the Darling children will transport theatregoers to the magical Neverland to be amazed by all its wonders during the winter holidays this year. The young, and the young at heart, will be entranced by the mysterious mermaids from Mermaid Lagoon; the beautiful Indian Princess Tiger Lilly and her brave Panther; the fun loving Lost Boys and the oh-so-evil Captain Hook and his band of pirates aboard the Jolly Roger, who will lower the anchor for a sojourn at the Canal Walk Shopping Centre (CWSC) Theatre from 1 July – 23 July 2017.

J.M Barrie’s much loved classic, Peter Pan, returns to Centre Court at CWSC in a spectacular original musical by award winning duo, Fred Abrahamse and Marcel Meyer, who regularly have their work presented to critical and public acclaim on stages across Europe, America and in South Africa.

A talented, star-studded cast, together with breath-taking sets, magnificent costumes and a gathering of beautiful puppets, will bring Peter Pan to life:

Leading the line-up of stars is Grant Almirall in the title role of Peter Pan. Almirall’ s numerous stage credits include the lead role in Singin’ in the Rain in South Africa, Australia and Japan and an award-winning performance as Frankie Vallie in the Broadway hit, Jersey Boys.

The award-winning and ever youthful Jenny Stead stars as Wendy. Ms Stead has won praise for her performances both in musical theatre and dramatic roles. Recent stage credits include Janet in the Fugard’s hit production of The Rocky Horror Show and Maid Marian in Canal Walk’s 2016 production of Robin Hood.

Marcel Meyer stars as the evil Captain Hook. Meyer, regarded as one of the top classical actors of his generation, has many credits including acclaimed performances as Hamlet, Iago, Romeo, Oberon and other classic roles both abroad and at home.

The supporting cast features an equally impressive line-up; the multi-talented Dean Balie [Kat and the Kings, Blood Brothers] as Smee; Bianca Flanders [Orpheus in Africa, Blood Brothers, District 6 – Kanala] as the Princess Tiger-Lily, Kyle Jardine [Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Cabaret] as John Darling, Luke Tyler as Michael Darling, Roberto Kyle [Twelfth Night] as Panther, Stuart Brown [Snow White] and Roland Perold [The Pitch, The Great American Songbook] as the Lost Boys.

Rounding out the cast, in the magical role of Tinkerbell , is effervescent newcomer, Raine Waring.

Peter Pan has always been affiliated with the spirit of giving since author J. M Barrie bequeathed the rights to Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in London to help raise funds for the hospital. Keeping with tradition, CWSC, which has raised hundreds of thousands of Rands for charity over the 17 years it has hosted the theatre, will donate proceeds from this production to the LEAP Science and Maths Schools initiative. This is in addition to the sum of R250 000 that will be donated by the Hyprop Foundation.

Further to the donation of theatre funds, extra support for this worthy cause will be generated through the building of a giant mosaic made out of tins of food. Once again celebrating Madiba’s legacy, members of the public are invited to help transform the Food Court at Canal Walk Shopping Centre with the building of this mosaic artwork on 18 July 2017. Theatregoers and shoppers are also invited to donate-a-can to the cause, by dropping off one or more tins of food at the Toys R Us store in Canal Walk.

Merlin Norman, Marketing Manager at Rhodes Food Group, a sponsor for the Mandela Day festivities, commented: “Rhodes Food Group is committed to giving back and making a difference in our communities. We are therefore proud to participate again in the upcoming Mandela Day at Canal Walk by contributing Rhodes canned food products to the Mandela Mosaic Project.”

Make a date to escape to Neverland by booking tickets through: www.computicket.com or at the venue.

Reminder: Every tin counts – so bring a tin of food along and the organisers will add it to the mosaic building kit to make the image bigger and better than ever. Tin donation point will be at the Toys R Us store, near the Centre Court at Canal Walk Shopping Centre.

Peter Pan

Saturday, 1 July to Sunday, 23 July 2017

Tuesday to Sunday at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm

Canal Walk Theatre – Central Court

R80 – Book at Computicket

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