DRAMA

EDUCATION PUPPETS



The Playhouse Puppet Company's sex education production 1+1=3 will be available to perform at high schools from in May, August and September.

The 45-minute long programme aims to create awareness and encourage dis-cussion on issues such as sexually-transmitted diseases (including HIV and AIDS), teenage pregnancy and relation-ships as well as the side effects of over-population. Despite the serious nature of the subjects, 1+1=3 is full of humour and highly accessible.

The cost is R4 per pupil with a minimum performance fee of R400. Phone Frank Hills on 369-9445 for details.

MILLION RAND ROBBERY

Written and directed by Ronnie Govender and presented by the Play-house Company in association with Radio Lotus, The Great R31 Million Robbery is described as a brand new, Bollywood-style musical comedy dealing with a daring R31 million robbery.

The music has been composed and produced by Ramesh Hassen in associa-tion with Tansen Nepaul of Radio Lotus and Rod Smith has designed the set.

The Great R31 Million Robbery

will run in the Playhouse in April, promises dance, song and laughter aplenty and seems set to follow Ronnie Govender's successful Too Muckin' Futch.

THAT HEEL'S BACK!

If you missed Paul Slabolepszy's hilarious farce, Heel Against the Head, don't lose out. It returns to Durban play the Playhouse Drama in May and June.

This smash-hit production, now in its third year, has won a FNB Vita Award for best comedy.

PASSION PLAY

The Durban Catholic Players' Guild, in association with the Playhouse Company, present the 1997 Durban Passion Play in the Drama from March 8 to 30. Directed by Joy Wood, designed by Rod Smith and performed by a cast of almost 200, the 1997 Durban Passion Play tells the story leading up to the Crucifixion.

With a new script and new set, the 1997 Durban Passion Play will be the last performance of this century. The Guild is the only organisation in the world to be granted permission to use the script and costumes of the Bavarian Passion Players of Oberammergau, which has modernised and updated its text.

On Good Friday patrons will be invited to join the cast at a special service.

THEATRE CATS

The Playhouse Theatre Cats (children between six and 12 years) meet on the February 22 in the Playhouse Alhambra Room from 10h30 and 13h00.

SCI-FI FEST

Drama presentations with science themes will be presented by Nicholas Ellenbogen's renowned Theatre for Africa, Youthlink and the Rhodes University drama department at the SciFest to be held in Grahamstown from April 9 to 15.

Also on the programme is the Ster Kinekor Scifi and Enviro Film Fest which will show movies like Jurassic Park as well as new releases like Alaska and re-releases like Star Wars.

Sunset shows at the 1820 Settlers national Monument will present magic, chemistry and physics, computer music, `green' theatre and scientific buskers.

SAfm will conduct live broadcasts and there will be a programmes such as The Physics of Steel Bands and The Physics of Music featuring instruments and synthesizers.

Sponsored by Sasol Limited, the National Festival of Science and Technology is a project of the Grahamstown Foundation.

For details, phone The Science Festival Office on (0461) 23402 or write to the Grahamstown Foundation, PO Box 304 Grahamstown, 6140. E-mail address: scifest@found.ru.ac.za.

NQALU, THE MOUSE

Written by Marguerite Poland, one of South Africa's foremost authors, and adapted by the Playhouse Puppet Company, Nqalu: the mouse with no whiskers is 'theatre of the imagination' featuring people and puppets.

Director is Bheki Mkhwane who is wel-known for his productions with Ellis Pearson and his appearance in his latest one-man show Solomon's Pride.

Performed in English, with some Zulu and praise-singing links, Nqalu: the mouse with no whiskers opens in the Sanlam Loft on March 25.