D'ARTS Magazine, by the
Durban Arts Association

VIAGRA FALLS

Viagra Falls, an adults-only show written and directed by Shireen James, is set in a tattoo parlour within which four diverse characters explore their own and each other's boundaries.

Tattoo artist Phillip (Brett Smith) is is blessed with more brain power than the other characters combined. His mother Sue (Catherine Farren) owns the tattoo parlour, using this vantage point to constantly put her son "in his place".

Another character quick to remind Phillip of his unenviable position beneath his mother's thumb, is Thor (Jore Carrol) - a macho, tattoo-covered regular to the parlour.

Dancer Claire Bezuidenhout makes her debut as an actress in this production, playing the part of a schoolgirl. With trouble back home she finds in Phillip, the sense of security she needs.

"Viagra Falls is peppered with collo-quialism and grounded in issues of dysfunction and bruised egos. I can promise humour, sleaze and pathos!" says Shireen James, who also wrote Alice Threw the Looking Glass and the one-woman show on Sylvia Plath's life, When Suicides Meet.

Performances are at the Kwasuka Theatre from March 16 to 27 at 20h00.

To book, phone 309-2236.

MASTER HAROLD

A production of Athol Fugard's Master Harold and the Boys directed by Jacky Vermaas runs at the Kwasuka Theatre from March 1 to 13.

To book phone 309-2236.

SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY

The Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa is a highly active group that meets regularly for videos, discussions or functions. New members are welcome. Phone Nancy on 207-3687 for details.

MEN BACK HOME

In the last two years Greig Coetzee's award-winning hit White Men With Weapons has been performed in New York, Australia, Belgium, Holland and Singapore. Due back in Durban at the end of the month, armed with 17 awards and glowing reviews from critics on five different continents, it will have a season in the Playhouse Sanlam Loft from March 30 to April 25.

Judging by both overseas and local audiences' response to this satirical, searching and often hilarious account of a critical time in South Africa's history, White Men With Weapons is set to become one of the classic pieces of South African drama theatre.

In a tour de force performance, Greig portrays 13 characters in this hard-hitting journey through the old SADF on the eve of Nelson Mandela's release.

WAITING FOR GODOT

Brian Pearce will direct a production of Waiting for Godot at the Courtyard Theatre, Technikon Natal, from March 8 to 13. To book phone 204-2532.

POWERFUL THEATRE

Directed by Garth Anderson and presented by Essop Khan & Mahomed Alli Productions, The Indian Wants the Bronx runs in the Playhouse Studio from March 2 to 14 featuring Essop Khan, Lindsay Sullivan and Frances Gavin.

Written by Israel Horovitz, The Indian Wants the Bronx makes for powerful theatre, combining improbable elements to show that problems of human commu-nication are compounded by differences in language, culture attitude and inten-tion which can breed contempt, intolerance, fear, suspicion and confusion.

In trying to communicate with the Indian, the young men in the play use gestures which contradict their words and, not understanding their words and confused by the gestures, the Indian succumbs to a terror which places him at the mercy of the young men and incites them to violence.

Tickets at Computicket or at the door.

LIFE'S A PITCH

Paul Slabolepszy's outrageously typical South Africa humour is set to bring merriment back into Durban theatre when he brings his two-hander Life's a Pitch to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, at the University of Natal from March 9 to April 11.

Life's A Pitch, which played the Hilton Drama Festival last year, sees the return to the stage of cricket-crazy Corky Labuschagne played by the inimitable James Borthwick (last seen in the sell-out Playhouse Cellar season of Tickle to Fine Leg) who is called upon to share the umpire duties at a game in the Natal Midlands with the frightfully proper Richard Hopcroft played with panache by Graham Hopkins.

The atmosphere between these two is little short of combustible and the show is hilariously entertaining.

Fund-raisers interested in purchasing a performance or anyone interested in group bookings can call (031) 202 9093 or email: pubmat@iafrica.com

GOVENDER PLAYS

The furore surrounding Durban artist Asiyah Swaleh's exhibition of paintings of erotic Indian temple art last year inspired internationally-acclaimed playwright Ronnie Govender to write and direct a one-act play.

Titled Back to the Faith, it makes its debut in the Playhouse Sanlam Loft to run from March 9 to 28.

The second part of this double-bill is Beyond Calvary which Ronnie Govender wrote and directed in the '60s. The original production, which featured Prem Singh and the late Slim Moodley, won him high praise from the likes of Alan Paton. It was restaged with Kessie Govender and Dolly Parmasir a few years later.

The link between the two plays is religion and its impact upon people's lives. While both pieces are similar in dramatic format they are very different in terms of situation and storyline and promise powerful entertainment.

The cast comprises Krijay Govender, Leeana Reddy, Eubulus Tracy and Koobeshan Naidoo.

IN MEMORIAM

D'ARTS only recently received news of the death of Patrick Beauchamp of the Company of Theatre Arts. Phillida Ellis, past COTA chairperson and honorary life member, wrote in her tribute for the COTA newsletter: "It was a pleasure to know him. He valued and treasured friendship in an old-fashioned way. He was there when the Company of Theatre Arts was born in the Beauchamp lounge in Essenwood Road in 1985. He was elected chairman, a role he fulfilled at meetings and when the decision-making can needed carrying .... while always keeping an ear open should the producer require a second opinion."

UNGCUTHA

With storytelling, acting, dance, song and poetry the KwaMashu-based community group Uyaba brings an age-old tale of adventure for children to the Playhouse Studio from March 25 to 27.

Titled Ungcutha, this fascinating fairy story full of magic and excitement will be performed in Zulu and is recom-mended for children aged four to 12, although older children and adults are also bound to find it entertaining.

Performances take place on Saturday at 14h00 and 15h30 with shows for schools on Thursday and Friday at 10h00 and 11h30. Tickets R10 (R5 scholars).

VOTE WITH EVITA

Always one jump ahead of the times, Pieter-Dirk Uys has devised a unique voter-education-through-entertainment project.

Until March 26 he will accompany Evita Bezuidenhout (for those not in the know, he IS Evita) and comedian Basil Appollis on a tour of 60 towns and cities throughout South Africa spreading laughter and humour at the expense of political tensions and apathy. They will perform in town halls inviting the public to come and learn about the process of voting and have a good laugh - for free!

OFFENSIVE

Pieter-Dirk Uys launched a similar humorous offensive before the first elections when the public approached the voting process with varying emotions. While it was filled with his usual razor-sharp comment and perceptions, the show was hilariously funny and went a long way towards allaying fears, providing vital information, smoothing the path ahead and generally reminding South Africans of their ability to survive through some extraordinary times!

Evita has become as much a part of top South African ruling figures as President Mandela whose response to Pieter-Dirk Uys's comment that every time he met Madiba he was in a dress was "Don't worry, Pieter, I know you're in there somewhere!"

Evita's Ballot Bus will reach KZN mid March for the following performances:

March 9: Newcastle Town Hall (12h30) and Pietermaritzburg City Hall (19h00);

March 11: University of Durban Westville (12h30) and Natal University, Jubilee Hall (19h00), and

March 12: Ladysmith Town Hall (12h30)

NB Evita Bezuidenhout even has her own email on evita@iafrica.com!

another site by durbanet

site credits