MUSIC

SPLASHY FEN

The line-up for the Splashy Fen music festival in the Drakensburg near Underberg from May 1 to 5, includes many well-known top bands.

Among them are Scooters Union, Arapaho, Syd Kitchen and the Utensils, Landscape Prayers and Ken E Henson. Then there's Ellis Pearson and Bheki Mkhwane, Steve & Tara Fataar, Geoff Tracey and the UND African Music Ensemble, Miriam Erasmus and the Durban Black Drifters.

JAZZ IN DURBAN

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music of the University of Natal in Durban presents Jazz Happy Hours from 17h00 to 18h15. Tickets R3. Louise Marchant on May 8; Sazi Dlamini on May 15; and Rankitseng (guitar), Phiwe (bass) and Nkanyezi (drums) on May 29.

FIDDLER A HIT!

The Playhouse Company's production of Fiddler on the Roof, directed by David Matheson, is a highly-enjoyable and sensitive rendering of this well-loved show based on Sholem Aleichem stories.

It tells the tale of a hard-working milkman who considers himself a pocket philosopher and regularly holds conver-sations with his God, wryly thanking him for his many `blessings' - like five daughters, a lame horse and a sharp-tongued wife, Golde.

David Matheson chose to alternate actresses Jo-Ann Pezarro and Brenda Radloff between the roles of Golde and Yente the matchmaker. They rise to the challenge well as it's not easy to cons-tantly change parts and accents every night. There's also no chance of settling comfortably into your character and its relationship with the other characters.

AndrŠ Roothman draws to the full the dry humour of Tevye and the three main daughters (Kate Bruce, Jinny Sagorin and Colleen Nicklin) are enchanting.

A young man to watch is Stuart Brown who brought a fresh and energetic approach to the role of Perchik.

Under the baton of Naum Rousine, the show's music - as always - is a joy.

FRIENDS OF MUSIC

Friends of Music will hold two recitals in May at the Durban Jewish Club, Old Fort Road at 19h45:

May 21: NPO String Quartet: Hristo Kardjiev (violin), Jitske Brien (violin), Alasdair Muir (viola) and Lindsay Johnson (cello). This recital is being presented in collaboration with National Creative Youth Festival.

May 28: Pianist Antony Peebles from Britain.

LECTURES

Friends of Music hold lectures prior to the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra concerts at the City Hall at 18h15:

May 2: Andrew Warburton, pianist and lecturer.

May 14 and 23: Prof Christine Lucia, head of of the UDW music department and Mercury music critic.

Book for recitals and lectures at Computicket.

WORLD MUSIC

Among the M-Net `specials' during May is the 1996 World Music Awards on May 29 at 19h00) when Monte Carlo once again celebrates the very best in contemporary music from around the globe. The World Music Awards honour the world's greatest selling recording artists of the year in the various categories and the best-selling recording artistes of the year from each of the major recording countries worldwide.

CRAZY CAROUSEL

Northwood Boys' High School in Durban North, presents a musical, Crazy Carousel, from May 15 to 18 with a cast of 70 drawn from local high schools. Songs featured include Can You Feel the Love Tonight? and Let's Twist with others from the musical Cabaret. Details from telephone 84-6501.

SUNSET PROMS

Lykele Temmingh takes up the baton for the NBS Sunset Proms concert at the Village Green on May 5 at 17h30.

The programme comprises light classical works combined with modern arrange-ments from musicals and movies.

BAYETE

Top South African superstar group, Bayete, will be the guest performers at the next Rainbat Music Gig at the BAT Centre on May 10 and 11 at 20h30 and also at the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown on May 12 at 13h00.

Mfana Mlambo, BAT music coordinator, says "The idea behind this regular music event is to showcase top South African Afro-jazz talent and also provide a platform for up-and-coming performers." Book at Computicket.