NEWS

ONCE UPON A THEATRE FOR DURBAN!

In May last year, D'ARTS carried the story of Pieter Scholtz's new Kwasuka Theatre, a 100-year-old building listed as a national monument, on the corner of Stamford Hill and Kent Roads in Greyville.

The 125-seat intimate theatre, originally a Methodist church, is part of the planned Kwasuka Sukela Arts Centre. "Kwasuka sukela" means `once upon a time', a phrase used by Zulu storytellers.

Good news for Durban theatre-goers, both young and old, is that at last the renovations are over and the opening date has been set for April 1.

LINE-UP

First in the line-up of productions is Pieter's

Where the Rainbow Ends, the latest in his series of plays for young audiences. It features a number of familiar characters such as Percival Piston and Florrie, the two scarecrows, and Ali-Cat from Manti's Miracle.

April also marks the start of the annual six-month season of plays for young audiences, until recently performed at the University of Natal Open Air Theatre (recently renamed the Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre).

The second production at the Kwasuka



Theatre opens on April 10 to run for two weeks. This is a double bill consisting of A Boy Called Rubbish, conceived and acted by Ellis Pearson and Bheki Mkhwane, and Bheki's solo piece Solomon's Pride.

These plays will be followed in May by Tennessee Williams's The Glass Mena- gerie, directed by Pieter, who has cast Jacqui Logie as Amanda Wingfield, Susan Monteregge as her shy, crippled daughter Laura and Tim Wells as "the gentleman caller".

Further productions planned for later in the year include a new musical, When The Fish Eagle Cries, written and directed by Patrick Collyer, the Durban composer and actor. There's also a revival of Anthony Ackerman's highly acclaimed Old Boys, which played the Playhouse last year and The Last Yankee.

AMPLE

The new theatre boasts an ample open stage with dressing rooms, tiered seating, gift shop, box office, restaurant and bar.

To help defray the costs, interested theatre-goers are invited to donated R300 to cover the cost of one of the comfor-tably upholstered, tip-up theatre seats presently being installed.

Donations will be acknowledged by a suitable plaque affixed to the seat and mention will be made in programmes and donors will also gain free admission to the three productions by the resident company.

Donations are also sought to finance the Livingstone Courtyard, an open air 200-seat amphitheatre planned for the maho-gany tree-shaded area adjoining the hall.

Honouring the memory of Douglas Livingstone, a feature will be a bust of the late poet and playwright sculpted by Hannah Lurie.

Those interested in becoming a donor should contact Pieter Scholtz on 81-1617, or write c/o Kwasuka Theatre, PO Box 50585, Musgrave 4062.

BAL MASQU

Bal Masqu‚

is traditionally held in February to coincide with Mardi Gras. Those attending will dress up, wear a mask and bring their friends for what promises to be an evening of great entertainment on February 28 at 20h00 at the Alliance Fran‡aise, 22 Sutton Crescent.

Cash bar and light snacks will be available. Cost is R25 (R15 for Alliance members and students). Booking is essential on 23-9582.

GEOFFREY HYLAND

Cape Town-based director/designer Geoffrey Hyland is the winner of the 1997 Standard Bank Young Artists Award for Drama.

Geoffrey's work has impressed theatre-goers in the Western Cape for many years particularly with productions like The Yellow Wallpaper, French Gray and Miss Margarida's Way - all starring Claire Berlein.

His dramatic ability surfaced early at Grey College in Bloemfontein where he twice received colours for drama and carried off the school cup for best actor.

He was also named best actor during the 1977 International Schools Festival.

A director who prefers a collaborative approach, Geoffrey invariably designs his own sets, experimenting with space and the actor/audience relationship.

AWARD

He joined the University of Cape Town's drama department in the late 1980's and won the Fleur du Cap/Rosalie van der Gucht Award for Young Directors in 1989. In the past two years Geoffrey has returned to Canada for a teaching spell while his productions of French Gray and Miss Margarida's Way toured there.

Both productions were staged on the Standard Bank National Arts Festival Fringe in Grahamstown where he has presented several other works such as Conference of the Birds and Deathwatch.

ORGAN RECITAL

The City of Durban administration department holds regular free recitals in the City Hall. Previously these were held every two-months but because of funding cuts, these will only be held every three months. The next recital will take place in March. Watch the press for details.