RESTAURANT THEATRE

FUN WITH THE WAR YEARS

DOOWAH BOYS

Durban theatre entrepreneur Themi Venturas opens his new show,

The War Years, at 214 St Thomas Road on Durban's Berea for a three-week season on March 17.

The War Years

looks back at the variety of music that both inspired and motivated soldiers and civilians in World War I.

"Music is a great morale booster and unifying factor," says Themi. "Rarely is the power of music as evident as during the war years."

For his evocative musical tribute he has gathered a cast of Durban performers including the now well- known Vanessa Skaer and Shelly McLean with D'Arts editor Caroline Smart to perform the female vocals.

The males playing the politicians and soldiers are John Didlick and Gary McKenzie (who will alternate with Themi himself).

For the occasion the venue will be given

the feel of an air-raid shelter, with sirens, black-outs and waiters in uniform and, according to the publicity, "food will have a sense of World War I nostal-gia with popular dishes of the time appearing on the menu."

Songs to be featured include The Quartermaster's Store; Roll out the Barrel; This is the Army, Mr Jones, and It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary.

There will be below-price pensioner matinŠes on Wednesday and Saturday with tea and scones. Show tickets will be R15 for these matinees.

214 St Thomas Road is situated between Musgrave and Essenwood Roads with plenty of safe parking behind the hall.

Booking through box office on 21-0756 or through Computicket. Tickets for the meal and show will be R60 (excluding Computicket surcharge and VAT).

For more information, block bookings or if you would like to buy a performance for charity, contact Themi Venturas Productions on 21-9242.

JAZZ HAPPY HOURS

Jazz Happy Hours are held at the University of Natal's Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on Wednesdays at 17h00, this month's programmes being:

Mar 5: Neil Gonsalves and Friends

Mar 12: Melvin Peters and Guests

Mar 19: Claude Gawe and Friends

Mar 26: Mosaic

For details phone 260-3385.

ASPIRANT

Funky's Saturday afternoon jam sessions are held each week from 13h00 until around 17h00. To aspirant musicians who want to gain some exposure and experience Funky's is offering its stage and sound system. For more information call Lou on 37-3061.

Kevin Feather, in association with the Playhouse Cellar, presents The Doowah Boys 2 in the Playhouse Cellar until March 30. An all-new edition of the original Vita-nominated The Doowah Boys, it was choreographed by Owen Lonzar with backtracks, musical arrangements and vocal direction by Garth Victor.

The DooWah Boys 2

is described as nos-talgia at its most entertaining - "not just the songs, not just the memories, but a whole lot of fun and antics on stage from Alistair Izobell, Gary Wright, Sean Pieterse, Hughie Louw and George Cousoudis." In the Beach Boys sequence they show their muscles in skimpy speedos and vests and sport miniscule G-strings as the Chippendales.

The show is described as a compilation of all-time hits from the Mills Brothers to the Monkees, from Sha Na Na to the Soft Shoes.

HAPPY HUBBIES

Rehearsals are under way for Kloof Arts and Drama Society's April production, Happy Hubbies, being presented from April 10 to 12 and 17 to 19.

KADS members in the cast are Sally-Ann Watton, Shirley Gould, Maureen Bald, Su Smethhurst, Darlene Bond, Cheryl Wigmore and Lesley Heger.

The society also need helpers backstage, at the bar, front-of-the house, etc.

Those interested should contact Helen Osborne on 763-4325.

JAZZ ON THE DECK

The BAT jazz on the deck music project which features local musicians normally offered every Friday from 17h30 has proved so popular that it has now been extended to Saturdays from 20h30. For many this sets the vibe for the weekend.